Fact-Finding Techniques for Requirements Discovery of Business Systems Essay

Fact-Finding Techniques for Requirements Discovery of Business Systems Analysis and Design - Essay Example Denscombe (2007) observes that for success to be registered in any project there is a need for an accurate data collection through specific methods that are to be used. The methods used in finding this information are referred to as fact finding techniques. There are various fact finding techniques including use of interviews, observation, and use of questionnaires among other techniques. Using interviews The interview is one of the fact finding techniques whereby the analysis is done through the collection of information from different persons in an interactive way. In an interview, the research always needs to find the desired facts through talking with the respondents. The facts found are supposed to be verified and clarified. In conduction interviews, enthusiasm should always be generated and the end user is always involved in the process. The identification of the requirements has been often very important before the conduction of interviews. Interviews do involve soliciting of ideas and opinions from the respondents. In interviews as a fact finding technique, there can be the use of unstructured interview. The interviewee id depended on in the provision of a framework and the direction of the discussion. It is generally not done for a specific goal. Structured interviews are done with an aim of getting answers to specific questions that are put down by the interviewer. In interviewing, open and closed ended queries are often used. The open ended questions do allow the interviewee to offer answers as he or she deems while the closed ended questions do have restrictions. Reasons for selecting interviews By using interviews to find the facts, the analyst is always presented with an opportunity of motivating the interviewee to be able to respond to the questions openly and freely. This is because the interviewer and the analyst are always in touch on a one on one basis. The analyst can probe the interviewee for more answers that are thought to be relevant and useful. Due to the physical contact between the analyst and the interviewee, there can always be a re-wording of the questions suppose the interviewee does not understand or get the required concepts. This is an advantage that all the other fact finding techniques does lack. Throughout the interview process, the analyst is in a position to analyze the interviewee’s non verbal communication and body language. This is a vital aspect in the whole analysis of the facts obtained from the interview. (Shelly, Cashman & Rosenblatt, 2009). Implementation of the method In order to carry out a successful interview and obtain the needed data, it is important to have a systematic and a well organized interview. This involves a lot of processes. For instance, selection of interviewees is an important aspect. Those going to be interviewed need to be selected carefully to ensure that the one chosen will offer the desired responses and data. It is important to have end users that are reliabl e. The analyst should have prior knowledge about the interviewees to avoid a lot of conflicts and inconveniences during the actual interviewing process. Preparation for the interview is a major aspect. This can be done through an interview guide. During the actual interview process, the problem that has mooted the interview process should be summarized. The interviewee is also offered some incentive for participating in the interview process. This is to encourage honest response. The analyst’