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In this article, let's look at the "how.
" Based on my experience coaching systems and business analysts in the real world, I have found it helpful to break things down into a five-step analysis process: 1.
Gather 2.
Organize and group 3.
Analyze 4.
Create 5.
Correct As you can guess from the word "iterative" the steps in the process should be performed several times in that order until you have outstanding requirements.
This is much like the shampoo approach of rinse, wash, and repeat.
Keep repeating these steps until you are happy with your results.
Each time through the process you will uncover additional information.
However, let's take some time to focus in on the first step, "Gather.
" The process kicks off with gathering.
Here you will procure the raw information that will drive the rest of the analysis process.
This information will typically come straight from your client or business partner.
And, be prepared for it to be random and some what sprawling.
The are familiar tools to any analyst, or at least they should be.
The best methods of "gathering" are interviews, examination of legacy system documentation, and old fashion library (or Internet) research.
Pretend you are a detective, like Sherlock Holmes, piecing together the clues to a crime.
Every fact you uncover and collect in this phase will feed the later steps in the analysis process.
Make sure you ask excellent questions.
Do not limit yourself to binary questions.
These questions rely on too many assumptions between the interviewer and the interviewee.
Any gaps in vocabulary between will cause issues.
You need to stick the basic "who, what, where, when, and why" questions.
These are know as meta questions.
Gerry Weinberg is an excellent software author and has written may fine pieces on the topic.
If you are not familiar with Gerry, I recommend buying one of his books and looking for chapters that deal with meta questions.
Those sections, along with the rest of the books will be super valuable to you! In terms of capturing the answers during the interview, I like tape recorders or notebooks.
Notebooks are cheaper and allow for you to add you thoughts or commentary.
Personally this is what I prefer, but many people like the tape recorder for the ability to remove interpretation from the recording keeping.
When you have your answers and results from the interview, you have concluded the "gathering" step of the process.
From there you will move on to the next step in the analysis process, "organizing.
" Look forward to a dedicated article to that single step.
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