Describe some methods of requirements collection during systems analysis

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

The collection and structuring of requirements is arguably the most important activity in the systems development process because how well the IS requirements are defined influences all subsequent activities. Requirements collection is the process of gathering and organizing information from users, managers, customers, business processes, and documents to understand how a proposed information system should function. Systems analysts use a variety of techniques for collecting system requirements, including the following:
• Interviews: Analysts interview people informed about the operation and issues of the current or proposed system.
• Questionnaires.: Analysts design and administer surveys to gather opinions from people informed about the operation and issues of the current or proposed system.
• Observations: Analysts observe workers at selected times to see how data are handled and what information people need to do their jobs.
• Document analysis: Analysts study business documents to discover issues, policies, and rules as well as concrete examples of the use of data and information in the organization.
• Joint application design: Joint application design (JAD) is a group meeting-based
process for requirements collection. During this meeting, the users jointly define and agree on system requirements or designs. This process can result in dramatic reductions in the length of time needed to collect requirements or specify designs.