Client Interview & Requirements Gathering Workshop ITEC 455 Business Requirements Analysis Marisa Thomas, Jesse Felter Deloitte Consulting LLP February 24, 2010

Agenda Introductions How to Have a Successful Client Meeting Tips and Tricks for a Successful Interview Exercise

Introductions Marisa Thomas Jesse Felter Senior Consultant at Deloitte Consulting. Joined firm in July 2006 Kogod MBA ’06, concentrations in IT Management and Marketing Has experience as a functional lead for a Rapid Application Development team Jesse Felter Senior Consultant at Deloitte Consulting. Joined firm in March 2007 Carnegie Mellon University, B.S. ’04, concentration in Information Systems and Psychology Has 6 years of experience with the system development lifecycle including requirements analysis, system design, development, testing, and implementation

How to Have a Successful Meeting Set Objectives Select Appropriate Client Personnel to Interview Determine the Type of Interview Consider Outside Information Develop an Agenda Decide on a Method of Documentation

The first step is to establish a clear focus for the interview Step 1: Set Objectives The first step is to establish a clear focus for the interview Important questions to ask yourself are: What types of information do I expect to get from the interview? Is this the best way to get the information I need? Are there any “gaps” within the information I have that may require client interaction?

Step 2: Select Appropriate Client Personnel Do your homework by knowing the organizational structure of your client Learn as much about your client before coming into the interview This will help to gear the interview towards each person’s position and personality By doing so you will establish credibility and rapport with the interviewee

Step 3: Determine the Type of Interview One on One Interview Typically more comfortable for the interviewee Interviewee may be willing to share more information than when in a group environment Group Interview Great way to get a range of information in a short amount of time May be difficult to schedule

Step 4: Consider Outside Information Gather as much information as possible Review public forms, reports, manuals and other forms of available information This will increase the efficiency of the time with your clients

Step 5: Develop an Agenda Documents your objectives and goals for the meeting Helps make sure that important points are not overlooked Keeps the interview moves in a logical progression

Step 6: Decide on a Method of Documentation Decide how information will be documented Will someone take notes? Will the meeting be audio or video taped? Establishing this before the meeting will help the meeting run smoother and guarantee that all important points are captured

Tips and Tricks for a Successful Interview Lead the conversation with the information that you already know Consider the interviewee’s knowledge and role Paraphrase important findings throughout the interview to make sure you have accurate understanding

How to Get the Information You Want Ask lots of open ended questions Use phrases and words that are easy to understand Avoid biased or loaded questions Don’t hesitate to move the interview along with guiding questions Ask for the opportunity to follow up after the interview to fill in any gaps you may have

Exercise: Instructions Break into your project teams Discuss your approach to scenario Interview questions to ask How to prepare (preparation, research, etc.) Possible Agenda Team member role and responsibilities Designate a group spokesperson to present your questions Team Preparation: 15 minutes Client Questioning: 5 minutes per team Updates to Team Preparation: 15 minutes

Questions