The next series of my blogs will focus on tools, strategies and techniques to gather business requirements. Some methods are fairly obvious whereas others are painfully discrete and can stifle an analyst’s approach. Upon entering the realm of the unknown, one item to consider in gathering requirements is the political culture of a firm and the department subculture atmosphere. The terms of EI (emotional intelligence) and BI (behavioral intellect) play a very important part in the process but those are for a later discussion in the series. This is the point where people skills come into play and are a benefit.
First, contact the area manager or supervisor. Some organizations may state to start with the VP and work through the order of command. The last thing one would want to do is to ignore the position of a person and attempt to bypass an individual and incur opposition via the disruption of staff or possible bruised egos. Many a person have gone gun-ho after answers, wading blindly into a department, oblivious to the work regiment or tasks a resource person must deliver. One should never forget hierarchical manners to go through proper channels to speak to subordinate staff.
The best plan of action in the endeavor to gather requirements is to establish a rapport with those in leadership of resources and those with a confirmed stake in a project. A positive rapport can provide access to information otherwise hidden and encourage extra effort to deliver help. The extra effort comes when the resource approached does not have the answers but knows others that can provide the information.
Understanding time is valuable; knowing and working through the chain of command (Project Managers, Project Stakeholders, VP’s, Directors, Managers, Staff associates) are foundational items. Always be polite, focused and to the point in gathering information. The best starting points are the project manager and the area manager where the project has the initial impact. In most cases the project manager and/or area manager can provide direction on where to start interviews.
