choosing elicitation techniques

ChoosingElicitation

TechniquesAugust 2014

© 2014 Global Knowledge Training LLC. All rights reserved.

What Does Elicitation Mean?Choosing Elicitation Techniques

21 To call forth(To inquire until

all necessary information is obtained)

To bring out(To understand

underlying needs)


Why Do Business Analysts Use Elicitation? Choosing Elicitation Techniques

What? When? How? Where?

To gather information from

stakeholders


Why Is Elicitation Important? Choosing Elicitation Techniques

Elicitation activities

Requirements

Solution Business needs must be translated into requirements that developers can work on. Requirements act as the foundation for the solution.

Elicitation activities span the length of the project.


Categories of Elicitation TechniquesChoosing Elicitation Techniques


Indi

vidu

alTechniques for IndividualsChoosing Elicitation Techniques


Use InterviewChoosing Elicitation Techniques – Individual

General information Stakeholders needs In-depth information for

Indi

vidu

al


Results depend on the expertise of the interviewer

Can be time consuming

Allows for clarification and observation Encourages openness and rapport Easy to schedule

InterviewChoosing Elicitation Techniques – Individual

ProsCons

Indi

vidu

al


Use ObservationChoosing Elicitation Techniques – Individual

Information on user’s environment Workflow Information users can’t, don’t or won’t

providefor

Indi

vidu

al


ObservationChoosing Elicitation Techniques – Individual

Useful only for observable behavior and existing processes

Workers might behave differently during observation

Can reveal shortcuts, workarounds, and common actions

ProsCons

Indi

vidu

al


Techniques for GroupsChoosing Elicitation Techniques

Gro

up


Use BrainstormingChoosing Elicitation Techniques – Group

Creative, innovative solutions Multiple solutionsforG

roup


BrainstormingChoosing Elicitation Techniques – Group

Results depend on the expertise of the facilitator Some might not participate May raise unrealistic expectations around the

solution

Can generate many ideas in a short time Can boost morale, increase motivation and job

satisfaction, and improve the team work environment

ProsConsG

roup


Use Focus GroupChoosing Elicitation Techniques – Group

Attitude and preferencesforGro

up


Focus GroupChoosing Elicitation Techniques – Group

Data gathered may be inconsistent with actual behavior

Results depend on the expertise of the moderator Difficult to schedule

Can get information from many people simultaneously Allows people to change their perspective

ProsConsG

roup


Use Joint Application DesignChoosing Elicitation Techniques – Group

Stakeholder buy-in Agreement between stakeholders with

different backgrounds Requirements and design to be

completed in a compressed schedule

forGro

up


Joint Application DesignChoosing Elicitation Techniques – Group

Potential for interpersonal conflict A strong, neutral facilitator is needed Discussion may gravitate toward solution before

requirements are adequately defined

Ensures conflict is resolved by consensus or by the sponsor’s decision

Stakeholders feel ownership, which leads to buy-in

ProsConsG

roup


Use PrototypingChoosing Elicitation Techniques – Group

Missing requirements Usability issues Early feedback with clear, concrete

representationforG

roup


PrototypingChoosing Elicitation Techniques – Group

Can lead stakeholders to unrealistic expectations regarding performance, usability, and completion time

May focus users on the design specs rather than the solution requirements

Makes abstract concepts more concrete; helps users explain their needs

Increases collaboration and buy-in Uncovers different types of requirements e.g.

processes, data, business rules, and usability issues

ProsConsG

roup


Use Requirements MeetingChoosing Elicitation Techniques – Group

Consensus on requirements-related issues

Ideas Agreement between stakeholders with

similar backgrounds

forGro

up


Requirements MeetingChoosing Elicitation Techniques – Group

Some might not participate Results depend on the expertise of the facilitator Difficult to schedule

Interaction between stakeholders can elicit a large amount of information in a short period of time

Conflicting requirements can be resolved

ProsConsG

roup


Use SurveyChoosing Elicitation Techniques – Group

Information in a short time Information from remote users Anonymous responsesforG

roup


SurveyChoosing Elicitation Techniques – Group

Responses might not reflect actual behavior Average response rate is low Unhappy users tend to respond more than happy users Requires good survey writing and statistical analysis skills

Anonymity may encourage sharing of unpopular or controversial opinions

Closed-ended surveys provide data that is easy to analyze

ProsConsG

roup


Other TechniquesChoosing Elicitation Techniques

Oth

er


Use Activity AnalysisChoosing Elicitation Techniques – Other

Duration of task Unnecessary activities Prioritization of activitiesforO

ther


Activity AnalysisChoosing Elicitation Techniques – Other

The depth of information may take awhile to analyze May be difficult to allocate sufficient time in the

context of an IT-focused project

Helps you understand the work process more thoroughly

Likely to uncover unnecessary and inefficient activities

ProsConsO

ther


Use Business Rules AnalysisChoosing Elicitation Techniques – Other

Business directives Validation of business policy Clarification of contradictory rules Relevance of rulesforO

ther


Business Rules AnalysisChoosing Elicitation Techniques – Other

Difficult to document thoroughly

Provides details on how business strategy translates into actions

ProsConsO

ther


Use Document AnalysisChoosing Elicitation Techniques – Other

Information on a current solution prior to in-depth discussions with a SME, or when a SME is not availableforOth

er


Document AnalysisChoosing Elicitation Techniques – Other

Existing documentation may not be valid May need to review many documents to gather

relevant information

Provides the current perspective, the as-is state You can use existing materials Can be used to cross-check requirements from other

elicitation techniques

ProsConsO

ther


Use Product TrialsChoosing Elicitation Techniques – Other

COTS (commercial off-the-shelf) product evaluationforO

ther


Product TrialsChoosing Elicitation Techniques – Other

Might not meet all requirements

Can obtain the solution quicklyPros

ConsOth

er


Use Reverse EngineeringChoosing Elicitation Techniques – Other

Analysis of existing product Analysis of competitor’s productforOth

er


Reverse EngineeringChoosing Elicitation Techniques – Other

Generally expensive and time consuming

Can use prior investment to learn from itPros

ConsOth

er

choosing elicitation techniques

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