Capital University of Science & Technology

Elicitation Techniques

The Group
Riyan Irfan (BSE193032)
Fatima Hanif (BSE193003)
Maliaka Saleem (BSE183110)
Date: 11 April, 2021.
Section: S2.
Course: Software Requirement Engineering
Submitted to: Sir Ibrar Arshad
Table of Contents
Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 2
Prototyping ...................................................................................................................................... 2
Advantages of Prototyping ......................................................................................................... 2
Disadvantages of Prototyping ..................................................................................................... 2
Use .............................................................................................................................................. 3
Observation ..................................................................................................................................... 3
Advantages of Observation ......................................................................................................... 3
Disadvantages of Observation .................................................................................................... 3
Use .............................................................................................................................................. 3
Interviews ........................................................................................................................................ 3
Advantages of Interviews ........................................................................................................... 4
Disadvantages of Interviews ....................................................................................................... 4
Use .............................................................................................................................................. 4
Questionnaires................................................................................................................................. 4
Advantages of Questionnaires .................................................................................................... 4
Disadvantages of Questionnaires ................................................................................................ 4
Use .............................................................................................................................................. 5
Stakeholder Analysis ...................................................................................................................... 5
Advantages of Stakeholder Analysis .......................................................................................... 5
Disadvantages of Stakeholder Analysis ...................................................................................... 5
Use .............................................................................................................................................. 5
Brainstorming ................................................................................................................................. 6
Advantages of Brainstorming ..................................................................................................... 6
Disadvantages of Brainstorming ................................................................................................. 6
Use .............................................................................................................................................. 6
Focus groups ................................................................................................................................... 6
Advantages of Focus Groups ...................................................................................................... 6
Disadvantages of Focus Groups.................................................................................................. 7
Use .............................................................................................................................................. 7

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Introduction
Requirement elicitation is process to find out the requirement for an intended software system by
communicating with clients, end users, system users and others who have a stake in the software
system development. The Requirement elicitation process involves establishment of overall
organizational objectives, background information of the system and the requirements collection.
The important thing is to remember about these techniques is that none of these techniques are
mutually exclusive we use them in a combination and then we can actually we increase the
efficiency if we use them together.

Prototyping
It can be used to elicit requirement from the client. A prototype is an initial version of system
which may be used for experimentation. You have made a prototype you give it to the client and
play with it and let us known which things you like to improve and which thing you want to get
rid of. So they have something concrete to criticize nothing is in the air that you are mentioning
your ideas and they so okay. But when you have a prototype. The client have something physical
in front of them. They use it and give you a suggestions. There are two types of prototype.
 Throw away prototype
 Evolutionary prototype
Advantages of Prototyping
 Essential for developing the “look and feel” of user interface.
 You do quick prototype of certain features where something new is suggested which you
have not done before. You just want to check whether this feature is feasible for you or not
or to whether this can be done in the budget suggested or the time suggested for this
particular implement.
 Prototyping is normally a very good idea. It deals with lots of elicitation problems. It serves
your purpose.
 Forces a detailed study of the requirements which reveals inconsistencies and omissions.
 The customer gets a feel of the final software system and at this stage change and
modification in the software program can be easily incorporated.
 The client is also able to judge the capabilities of the developer before the system the full
system is developed.
Disadvantages of Prototyping
 The prototyping process may become time consuming if the process is highly complex.
 Rather than the requirements that any solution must address the stakeholders focus on the
design specifications of the solution.
 Incompleteness: It may not be possible to prototype critical system requirements.
 Development costs: Depends on the type of prototype being developed.
 Prototype sample software loses its relevance once it has been shown to the client and
inputs taken. It becomes redundant.
 The process slows down the actual software development process.

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Use
The design team could use prototyping throughout the design process to verify that they have
understood the desired experience as expressed by other stakeholders and the users. You would
use prototyping to ensure that all the stakeholders agree on the user experience while using their
software. It has also been proposed as a technique to obtain the software requirements from the
stakeholders. Typically, internet applications and network interfaces with a high level of contact
with end users are the ideal candidates for the Prototype model. It may take some time to develop
a framework that is simple to use and requires limited training for the end user.

Observation
This elicitation technique helps in collecting requirements by observing users or stakeholders. This
can provide information about the exiting process, inputs and outputs. There are two kinds of
observations:
 Active
 Passive.
The business analyst examines consumers or clients directly during active observation, while
during passive observation, the business analyst observes subject matter experts. This assists the
business team in comprehending expectations when consumers are unable to articulate them
clearly.
Advantages of Observation
 Observer can do work measurements.
 Observer can see exactly what is being done.
 Relatively inexpensive.
Disadvantages of Observation
 It may be impractical.
 Task may not always performed.
 Certain task may be miss observed.
Use
This technique is used when we need to verify requirement are deliver instant requirements worthy
of consideration. It the study of dynamics of the situation, frequency count, and hence is a good
source of fetching additional information for producing quality and quantity of data. Observation
technique is best for apply a current process is to be monitored. It is use when processes are highly
repeatable e.g. manufacturing.

Interviews
The analyst or requirement engineer discuss the system with different stakeholders and built up an
understanding of their requirements. In this elicitation technique the interviewer directs the
question to stakeholder to obtain information. Without knowing the expectations and goals of the
stakeholders it is difficult to fulfil requirements. There are two types:
 Closed (Answer to pre-defined questions)
 Open (No- predefined agenda)

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Advantages of Interviews
 Accurate Screening.
 Meeting people face to face so it’s easy to capture verbal and non-verbal cues.
 These interviews help to keep focus.
 Capture emotions and behaviors.
Disadvantages of Interviews
 Cost (This cost may be means time or money because sometimes for interview you have
to go far so its time consuming).
 Quality of data we get from interview will depend on the skill of the interviewer.
 Interview are difficult to record so you have to manually enter data.
 You cannot interview everyone your sample size is often limited.
Use
We use this technique when ready to start understanding of system. We use this technique when
we need to establish report. This technique make stakeholders feel more involved. This technique
is used when instant feedback is needed. The primary difficulty encountered when using the
interview method is successfully arranging and performing the interview session. Excellent
interpersonal abilities are needed to ensure the analyst's ability to interact with a variety of various
types of individuals.

Questionnaires
An instrument for the collection of data, usually in written form, consisting of open and/ or closed
questions and other probes requiring a response from subjects. There different purposes of using
questionnaires to get an opinion on something you can also use to test your hypothesis and test
your assumptions as well.
Advantages of Questionnaires
 Economical: It is an economical method of acquiring knowledge. It is cost-effective for
both the sender and the recipient in terms of time, commitment, and money.
 Wide Coverage: It is probably the best method to collect information, compared to the
other methods like interview or observation.
 Inexpensive
 Validity and Reliability.
 Easy analysis.
 Respondent Anonymity.
 It help a manager or a researcher to obtain data easily.
 Often is a catharsis for respondents.
 Information from questionnaires is easily coded.
Disadvantages of Questionnaires
 Need to get it right first time.
 Provide only limited insight into problem.
 Questionnaires generate a large amount of data.

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  While questionnaires have a number of advantages, they can be a source of dishonesty.
 As questionnaires are used there is a possibility that certain questions may be left
unanswered.
 The issue with not posing questions to users face to face is that each user can view your
questions differently.
 A questionnaire cannot completely capture respondents subjective reactions or emotions.
Use
Questionnaires is used when we want to gather requirement from peoples who are far away and
large in number. We use this technique when we want collect data from consumer, general public
on the need. This technique mostly used in primary surveys.

Stakeholder Analysis
When it comes to any organizational project, all of the internal people and teams who the project
will involve or affect are called its stakeholders. A stakeholder analysis is a process of identifying
these people before the project begins, grouping them according to their levels of participation,
interest, and influence in the project and determining how best to involve and communicate each
of these stakeholder groups throughout.

Advantages of Stakeholder Analysis

 The needs of all parties that will be impacted by the project or who will be impacted by the
project.
 Groups who can be enlisted to assist at various levels of the process.
 Methods to reduce potential negative impacts and manage negative stakeholders.
 Possibilities for project delays.
Disadvantages of Stakeholder Analysis
 It is human nature for individuals to often choose their own needs above the interests of
the company they pretend to endorse.
 Fearing Failure.
Use
Stakeholder analysis is the comprehensive collection and analysis of qualitative data in order to
ascertain which stakeholders' needs should be considered when designing and/or executing a
policy or programme.

To enlist the help of key organizational players.

By enlisting the assistance of corporate influencers, leaders, or other important partners early in
the project's lifecycle, you will harness the expertise and experience of these main actors to assist
in guiding the project to a satisfactory conclusion. Enlisting these players early on will also
increase the chances you will earn their support for your project.

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To gain early alignment among all stakeholders on goals and plans.
Because your stakeholder analysis will help you determine which people to involve in the project,
you will then be able to bring these people together for a kickoff and early-stage meetings to
communicate the project’s strategic objectives and plans.

Brainstorming
Brainstorming is a technique for developing ideas and is used to identify challenges, the causes of
variation in problems, methods for preventing problems, alternatives to problems, and methods for
implementing these solutions. It can be thought of as a conference in which participants are invited
to generate as many suggestions as possible. Brainstorming is characterized as a strategy used
during meetings in which a community tries to generate alternative concepts for a particular need
by gathering or compiling all of the ideas submitted spontaneously by its members.
Advantages of Brainstorming
 It is possible to refine the ideas of different people for a better solution to the problem.
 It allows people to use maximum creativity to find solutions.
 It increases harmony among people in reaching to a feasible solution.
 The person participating may not be highly qualified or a consultant but may find a
solution.
 This method is easy to understand and not a complicated technique.
 Generated ideas and solutions may be used elsewhere also.
Disadvantages of Brainstorming
 Some dump ideas may also be accepted for evaluation.
 Overlapping of ideas is possible.
 Some emotional and environmental mental blocks are possible e.g, unease with chaos, fear
of criticism, and perpetuation of incorrect assumptions.
Use
This technique is used to find innovative solutions to problems. We use this technique to leverage
creativity and motivate higher plateau of thinking. It is used to create the opportunity for expression
of uncultivated ideas. It is also used to draw from diversity of personalities, responsibilities,
education, background, job skills.

Focus groups
A focus group is critical in all phases of software development, but particularly in the early stages
(I say this because, realistically, software projects beyond the startup stage probably had one). A
focus group is a select group of people assigned by you to critically review your software
(generally for free or in exchange for some small gain or reward).
Advantages of Focus Groups
 A window into customers' heads.
 Focus group discussions lead to valuable output.
 Organizations can see the research 'in action’.

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  Data is gathered quickly.
 Some voices are louder than others.
 May not be representative of entire target market.
 For sensitive topics, it can be hard to get honest insights.
Disadvantages of Focus Groups
 Data is difficult to analyze.
 The researcher has less control than individual interviews.
 Differences within groups can be troublesome.
 Interviewers require special skills.
 Discussions must be conducted in a conducive environment.

Use
The main purpose of focus group research is to draw upon respondents attitudes, feelings, beliefs,
experiences and reactions in a way in which would not be feasible using other methods, for
example observation, one-to-one interviewing, or questionnaire surveys. Focus groups are a
technique used to gain insights from a target audience about their feelings around a specific product
or service.

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