Elicitation Techniques

Brainstorming

An excellent way to foster creative thinking

about a problem. The aim of brainstorming is to
produce numerous new ideas, and to derive
from them themes for further analysis.

YOUR TITLE HERE

BATechniques –Source –BABOK v3.0

Collaborative Games

Collaborative games encourage participants in an elicitation activity to collaborate in building a joint understanding of a problem or a
solution. Collaborative games often benefit from the involvement of a neutral facilitator who helps the participants understand the rules of
the game and enforces those rules. The facilitator's job is to keep the game moving forward and to help ensure that all participants play a
role.

Examples of Collaborative Games

Elements

1. Game Purpose
2. Process
3. Outcome
4. Examples of
Collaborative Games

BATechniques –Source –BABOK v3.0

Document Analysis

Document analysis is used to elicit business analysis information, including contextual understanding and requirements, by
examining available materials that describe either the business environment or existing organizational assets.

Elements
Document analysis may be used to
Preparation
gather background information in
order to understand the context of a
business need, or it may include
researching existing solutions to
validate how those solutions are Document Review
and Analysis
currently implemented. Document
analysis may also be used to validate
findings from other elicitation efforts
such as interviews and observations.
Record Findings

BATechniques –Source –BABOK v3.0

Focus Groups Elements
Good technique to elicit ideas and
opinions about a specific product, service,
or opportunity in an interactive group
environment. The participants, guided by
a moderator, share their impressions,
preferences, and needs.

❑ Composed of pre-qualified participants

❑ A trained moderator manages the
session Discussion Guide
❑ The activities are similar to that of a
brainstorming session, except that a
focus group is more structured and
focused on the participants’
perspectives concerning a specific
topic.
❑ It is not an interview session
conducted as a group; rather, it is a
discussion during which feedback is
collected on a specific subject.

BATechniques –Source –BABOK v3.0

Interviews
Elements
A systematic approach designed to elicit
business analysis information from a Interview Interview
person or group of people by talking to the Goal Logistics
interviewee(s), asking relevant questions,
and documenting the responses. The
interview can also be used for establishing
relationships and building trust between
business analysts and stakeholders in order
to increase stakeholder involvement or Potential Interview
build support for a proposed solution. Interviewees Flow
Interview Types
• Structured Interview: in which the
interviewer has a predefined set of
questions.
• Unstructured Interview: in which the
interviewer does not have a
Interview
predetermined format or order of
Follow-Up
questions. Questions may vary based on Interview
interviewee responses and interactions. Questions
BATechniques –Source –BABOK v3.0
Observation
Elements
Observation is used to elicit information by viewing and
understanding activities and their context. It is used as a
basis for identifying needs and opportunities, 01 Observation objectives
understanding a business process, setting performance
standards, evaluating solution performance, or supporting
training and development.

Active / Noticeable – The

02 Prepare for observation
observer interrupts during
observation and asks question

Passive / Unnoticeable – The 03 Conduct the observation session

observer does not interrupt and
asks questions only at the end
of session.

This is also known as job 04 Confirm and present the results

shadowing. Used to examine
a work activity to understand it
better during the process

BATechniques –Source –BABOK v3.0

Prototyping
Prototyping is used to elicit and validate stakeholder needs through an iterative process that creates a model or design of requirements. It is
also used to optimize user experience, to evaluate design options, and as a basis for development of the final business solution.
Elements
Prototyping Approach
Prototyping Examples
Prototyping Methods
• Throw Away
• Evolutionary or Functional
Prototyping is a proven method for
product design. It works by providing
an early model of the final result,
• Proof of Principal or Proof of Concept
known as a prototype.
• Form Study Prototype
• Usability Prototype Prototypes can be non-working
models, working representations, or
• Visual Prototype
digital depictions of a solution or a
• Functional Prototype proposed product.
• Story Boarding
• Paper Prototyping
• Workflow Modelling
• Simulation
BATechniques –Source –BABOK v3.0
Survey or Questionnaire

A survey or questionnaire is used to elicit business analysis information—including information about customers, products,
work practices, and attitudes—from a group of people in a structured way and in a relatively short period of time.

Types of questions
in Survey or Questionnaire Elements

• Close-ended: the respondent is

asked to select from a list of
predefined responses, such as a
Yes/No response, a multiple-choice
selection, a rank/ order decision, or a
statement requiring a level of
agreement. Prepare Distribute Document
• Open-ended: the respondent is A detailed planning Communicate the Document the results
asked to answer questions in a free survey objective
form without having to select an
answer from a list of predefined
responses.

BATechniques –Source –BABOK v3.0

Workshops
Strategic Positioner
Workshops bring stakeholders together in order to collaborate on achieving a predefined goal. It is a focused event attended by key
stakeholders and subject matter experts (SMEs) for a concentrated period of time. A workshop may be held for different purposes
including planning, analysis, design, scoping, requirements elicitation, modelling, or any combination of these. A workshop may be used to
generate ideas for new features or products, to reach consensus on a topic, or to review requirements or designs.

Workshop Roles
Elements
Sponsor: frequently not a participant in the workshop, but does
have ultimate accountability for its outcome. Prepare for the workshop
Facilitator: establishes a professional and objective tone for the
workshop, introduces the goals and agenda for the workshop,
enforces structure and ground rules, keeps activities focused on the
purpose and desired outcomes, facilitates decision making and

Conduct the
conflict resolution, and ensures that all participants have an

Workshop

workshop
opportunity to be heard.

Roles
Scribe: documents the decisions in the format determined prior to
the workshop and keeps track of any items or issues that are
deferred during the session.

Timekeeper: may be used to keep track of the time spent on each

agenda item.

Participants: includes key stakeholders and subject matter experts. Post Workshop Wrap-up
They are responsible for providing their input and views, listening to
other views, and discussing the issues without bias.

BATechniques –Source –BABOK v3.0