Team Skill 2 Understanding User and Stakeholder Needs Requirements Workshop (11)

Requirements Workshop Introduction ▫One of the best techniques for requirement elicitation! How its done ▫Get key stakeholder in the room  Increases requirements yield  Come to a consensus on requirements ▫Have a facilitator to keep the meeting focused ▫Employ Brainstorming techniques

Requirements Workshop Similar to Kickoff meetings ▫According to the authors this is the  Best idea in the book! ▫Why  Come up with requirements  Gained consensus  Did it quickly!

Requirements Workshop A successful workshop with result in: ▫Completion in 1-2 days ▫Facilitator records the requirements  Internal is ok  Can drive the meeting because of domain knowledge  External can be preferred  No bias  Can be expensive  Cont… ▫Consensus on requirements is reached

Requirements Workshop Facilitator criteria ▫Stakeholder vs Non-stakeholder ▫No biases against any key stakeholder ▫Knowledge of the problem domain ▫Communication is Key! ▫Real Life  The Project Manager or BA working on the functional area is the facilitator

Requirements Workshop Real Life Scenario ▫Don’t influence conclusions  Do not side with any one person  Do not show bias towards the solution you favor  Give positive reinforcement about all feedback ▫Simply present the facts ▫Try not to get to technical  Want to leave it at more of an is this feasible  Not how are we going to code it

Requirements Workshop Benefits ▫Input from all stakeholders ▫Agreement of cross functional team  IT  Architecture  Product Management ▫Team building exercise  Lock-in meeting ▫Output is system definition in terms of features or requirements

Requirements Workshop Additional meetings ▫Happen throughout a project (Change Request)  When each iteration of the project are being kicked off  Gain agreements on requirements ▫One of the biggest difficulties  Setting a time when everyone can meet  The dreaded lunch time meeting!

Requirements Workshop How to prepare ▫To be successful you have to prepare! ▫Remember early concepts  Have to get buy in  List the benefits  Emphasize benefits that impact stakeholders present  Probably can’t invite every stakeholder…too many ▫Agree on representatives from different department areas ▫Leads ▫Subject Matter Experts (SMEs)

Requirements Workshop Other aspects to take into account ▫Location  Of the meeting  Room ▫Layout ▫Seating  Of the people involved  Travel ▫Making everyone comfortable  Food  Drink  Scheduled Breaks  Temperature  …

Requirements Workshop Other aspects cont. ▫Copies of documents ▫Reports ▫Projectors ▫Office Supplies ▫…

Requirements Workshop Summary ▫Make sure you have the key stakeholders ▫Keep the meeting:  On track and professional  Only the Facilitator should start and stop the meeting ▫Follow meeting rules and guidelines ▫Have and present  Meeting agenda  Desired results ▫Reach a consensus

Requirements Workshop Try to help people lighten up during the meeting ▫Ice Breakers  Fun Fact  Soda or Pop  … Make sure to record all of your meeting minutes and distribute them afterwards

Requirements Workshop Table 11-1 (Shows a typical agenda) TimeAgenda ItemDescription 8:00 – 8:30IntroductionReview agenda, facilities, and rules 8:30 – 10:00ContextPresent project status, market needs, results of interviews, and so on 10:00-12:00BrainstormingBrainstorm features of the application 12:00 – 1:00LunchWork through (?) 1:00 – 2:00BrainstormingContinue Brainstorming 2:00 – 3:00Feature DefinitionWrite out two or three sentence definitions 3:00 – 4:00Idea Reduction and prioritization Prioritize features 4:00 – 5:00Wrap-upAssign action items, address parking lot items