1. 9.351 Systems Analysis & DesignRequirements Determination1 Requirement Determination Collecting information that specify what system needs to do/support. Methods: Interview Focus Groups Observation Think-Aloud Protocol Survey Other

2. 9.351 Systems Analysis & DesignRequirements Determination2 Interviewing Data collection through talking with users Natural, pervasive, basic method Considerations: Communication issues Level of structuring (open-ended vs. close-ended) Time expenditures Advantages: Can provide specific, rich info Challenges: Striking a right balance between considerations

3. 9.351 Systems Analysis & DesignRequirements Determination3 Focus Groups Group interviewing with many interviewers Origin: Marketing research Considerations: Discussion focus Time distribution (talkative vs. silent interviewees) Advantages: High amounts of introductory information (e.g., initial making sense of the user situation) Challenges: Managing group dynamics

4. 9.351 Systems Analysis & DesignRequirements Determination4 Observation Collecting data by watching, listening and asking ad hoc questions with various degrees of the observer’s visibility. Subjectivity in interpreting results. Considerations: Involvement in user situation Subjectivity Obtrusiveness Advantages: Information rich and from natural context Challenges: Hawthorne effect (negative effect from obtrusiveness), information validity

5. 9.351 Systems Analysis & DesignRequirements Determination5 Think-Aloud Protocol Recording users’ thoughts they speak aloud while performing a task with a system Considerations: Relaxing the user to talking along with doing (not a natural behavior) Advantages: Information from user’s short-term memory that otherwise may be lost Challenges: Narrow information and not reflexive/more general Can be combined with observation (in usability study)

6. 9.351 Systems Analysis & DesignRequirements Determination6 Joint Application Design

7. 9.351 Systems Analysis & DesignRequirements Determination7 Survey Collecting data by administering a questionnaire (mailed, on site). Quantitative information often obtained. Commiserations: Limitations of written communication Advantages: Specific and inexpensive information (time savings) Challenges: Information validity and lower response rates

8. 9.351 Systems Analysis & DesignRequirements Determination8 Prototyping Use when needs unclear, political conflicts exist… Note the OO SAD aspect: Initial Requirements, Analysis, Design, Implementation happen early in order to get more complete Requirements.

9. 9.351 Systems Analysis & DesignRequirements Determination9 Other Sources for Requirements Determination Organizational documents (e.g., for user interface, decision making systems) Benchmark systems