In: Computer Science
Assume that you have a friend who makes and then sells hand-crafted decorations for people’s houses, such as cushions/pillows, tablecloths, etc. by taking orders from people at various weekend craft-markets where she displays her range of products. She has asked you, as a Business Analyst, to make software to help her manage records about what things her customers have ordered, including colour/pattern preferences, and where they ordered from, so that she can make sure she prepares and then takes the completed orders to the next craft market held in the same place for collection by the customers. Currently the information is recorded on paper.
You agree to help her. When it is time for requirements elicitation, you prepare a set of questions to ask your friend. Write down (as your answer here) 5 of the questions you plan to ask, so that you will be in a better position to propose a solution.
As from analysing the current situation from business analyst , You must find what it is the client wants. Presented is a list of obvious questions every good business analyst should know the answer to when starting a project.
1. What problem is this business
having that you hope to solve by developing this project? It should
be obvious as to why you would ask that question. If you do not
understand what the problem is then you can not help to solve it.
Also, when reading the project program it may not be clear as to
what the client actually wants. The scope may only tell you what
they would like to see happen. It could and often times is not
focused on what the true issues are.
2. What is the business doing at present to alleviate or solve the
issue? What has been tried in the past? You must understand what
the client is doing in order to understand what must be done. You
do not want to develop a project plan overview only to have someone
tell you it has been tried. Listen to the customer. Find out what
they have done. Ask questions while you are listening. On your toes
brainstorming so to speak. Listen to what has not worked.
3. What inside resources will this project be utilizing? What
outside resources will be necessary? You will want to determine
where your help and team players are coming from. You may be
familiar with most of the IT, but if the client wants to outsource
it is a different game. You may have to make a list of external
interactions. Define the company's strengths and weaknesses. This
can be most advantageous.
4. Have you determined a vision for the project? The business
analyst will compare this scope with the one he or she will develop
to ensure consistencies and a parallel outlook. In other words make
sure you are on the same path. This is sometimes easier said than
done. Communication is the key to success with this question.
5. What risks to you foresee and are you willing to take them? A
conservative client may not be inclined to take large risks.
Getting them to be specific can help when generating the project
program. You may also be able to overcome some of their fears or
doubts by explaining the risk factor more thoroughly.
6. Are you under any type of time constraint? There has to be a set
time frame for the outcome. A goal can be reached for any project
if time is not a factor. Most clients have time constraints which
affect every avenue of business. You will want to know what these
are and plan accordingly.
7. What is the projected cost of the program? An aggressive
business analyst may be blunt and honest by wording the question
like this. What is the projected budget and can it be deviated
from? There are times certain steps must be taken which can cause a
project to run over budget. Other plans of action may not need
implemented because management was not fully aware of certain
assets available. It is best to know exactly what is going into
this project for the project program to succeed.
8. Who is the end user? What support will they have? You will need
to know this in order for the program to even fulfill it's purpose.
Marketing data must also be collected to incorporate what the end
user is asking for. The goal is to reach the objective with
everyone satisfied. A business analyst can not do this without
talking and listening to everyone involved.