ChoosingElicitation
TechniquesAugust 2014
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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)
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Why Do Business Analysts Use Elicitation? Choosing Elicitation Techniques
What? When? How? Where?
To gather information from
stakeholders
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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.
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Categories of Elicitation TechniquesChoosing Elicitation Techniques
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Indi
vidu
alTechniques for IndividualsChoosing Elicitation Techniques
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Use InterviewChoosing Elicitation Techniques – Individual
General information Stakeholders needs In-depth information for
Indi
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al
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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
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al
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Use ObservationChoosing Elicitation Techniques – Individual
Information on user’s environment Workflow Information users can’t, don’t or won’t
providefor
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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
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Techniques for GroupsChoosing Elicitation Techniques
Gro
up
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Use BrainstormingChoosing Elicitation Techniques – Group
Creative, innovative solutions Multiple solutionsforG
roup
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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
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Use Focus GroupChoosing Elicitation Techniques – Group
Attitude and preferencesforGro
up
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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
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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
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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
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Use PrototypingChoosing Elicitation Techniques – Group
Missing requirements Usability issues Early feedback with clear, concrete
representationforG
roup
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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
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Use Requirements MeetingChoosing Elicitation Techniques – Group
Consensus on requirements-related issues
Ideas Agreement between stakeholders with
similar backgrounds
forGro
up
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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
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Use SurveyChoosing Elicitation Techniques – Group
Information in a short time Information from remote users Anonymous responsesforG
roup
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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
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Other TechniquesChoosing Elicitation Techniques
Oth
er
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Use Activity AnalysisChoosing Elicitation Techniques – Other
Duration of task Unnecessary activities Prioritization of activitiesforO
ther
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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
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Use Business Rules AnalysisChoosing Elicitation Techniques – Other
Business directives Validation of business policy Clarification of contradictory rules Relevance of rulesforO
ther
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Business Rules AnalysisChoosing Elicitation Techniques – Other
Difficult to document thoroughly
Provides details on how business strategy translates into actions
ProsConsO
ther
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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
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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
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Use Product TrialsChoosing Elicitation Techniques – Other
COTS (commercial off-the-shelf) product evaluationforO
ther
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Product TrialsChoosing Elicitation Techniques – Other
Might not meet all requirements
Can obtain the solution quicklyPros
ConsOth
er
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Use Reverse EngineeringChoosing Elicitation Techniques – Other
Analysis of existing product Analysis of competitor’s productforOth
er
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Reverse EngineeringChoosing Elicitation Techniques – Other
Generally expensive and time consuming
Can use prior investment to learn from itPros
ConsOth
er