Mystery Ideas - Capture Log
Use this file to capture real accounting scenarios as they happen, then develop them into mysteries during weekly sessions.
Quick Captures (add as they happen)
Format: - [ ] Brief description + key challenge
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Weekly Development Queue (detailed outlines)
Format: - [ ] Scenario name: Story beats + character moments
Ready for Development
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In Progress
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Completed
- The Case of the Disappearing Dollars: Subledger rounding error mystery
Scenario Ideas Bank
Inspiration from previous brainstorming sessions:
Data Integrity Mysteries
- Fraud detection mysteries
- Missing transaction investigations
- Deceptive zero balances
- Contradictory database records
- Referential integrity problems
Excel to Python Adventures
- Regex extraction from legacy files
- Complex merge operations (merge asof functions)
- Dataset grouping and merging
- Pivot table adventures
- Pattern recognition in unstructured data
Reconciliation Puzzles
- Budget variance investigations
- Reconciling puzzles
- Subledger balance mysteries
- Classification mapping errors
Automation Adventures
- Automated report generation
- Data cleaning adventures
Character Development Notes
Masha Personality
- Gets frustrated with manual work
- Wants efficiency and automation
- Spots patterns quickly
- Practical problem-solver
- Common phrases: “Ugh, there has to be a better way!”, “I see the pattern now!”
Panda Personality
- Patient and wise
- Offers different perspectives
- Encourages thoughtful analysis
- Technical guide without intimidation
- Common phrases: “What if we approach this differently?”, “Let me show you a technique…”
Content Creation Tips
Story Structure
- Opening: Normal day, routine task, something feels off
- Problem Discovery: Numbers don’t match, pattern breaks, error appears
- Investigation: Manual checking, growing frustration/confusion
- Insight: Character suggests different approach
- Solution: Python/pandas reveals the truth
- Resolution: Problem solved, lesson learned
Technical Integration
- Always include real Python/pandas code
- Code should solve the exact story problem
- Comments explain not just what, but why
- Learning points connect to broader accounting concepts
Engagement Elements
- Real workplace scenarios readers recognize
- Character dialogue that feels authentic
- “Aha!” moments that satisfy
- Practical solutions they can use immediately