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What are the benefits and challenges of using observation as an elicitation technique?

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Observation is a technique that involves watching how users or stakeholders perform tasks, interact with systems, or communicate with each other. It can help you elicit requirements by providing insights into the actual behavior, needs, problems, and preferences of your target audience. However, observation also has some limitations and challenges that you need to be aware of and address. In this article, you will learn about the benefits and challenges of using observation as an elicitation technique and how to apply it effectively in your requirements gathering process.

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1 Benefits of observation

Observation can offer several advantages over other elicitation techniques, such as interviews, surveys, or workshops. For instance, observation can reveal the actual context and environment of users or stakeholders, uncover hidden or tacit requirements, reduce the risk of bias or misinterpretation, and enhance empathy and understanding. This is because you can observe for yourself how users or stakeholders use systems and express needs, as well as their emotions, reactions, frustrations, and satisfaction.

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Angela Wick

| 2 Million+ Trained | Helping BAs Navigate AI | BA-Cube.com Founder & Host | LinkedIn Learning Instructor
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Observation helps us see the user experience and connect this context to potential solutions and helps us open our minds to different ways to solve the problem or make the experience even better for the user.

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Gomathi Ramalingam

Director of QA & Product Delivery | Software Quality Strategist | Product Enthusiast | Public Speaker | Agile Team Builder
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Observations helps in edge case scenarios that we witness an end user performing that could be missed in regular techniques. Also, observation comes handy in understanding how an user would explore the platform.

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2 Challenges of observation

Observation is not a perfect technique and comes with some challenges that need to be considered and overcome. These challenges can include time-consuming and resource-intensive planning, scheduling, conducting, and analyzing the observation sessions, as well as obtaining permissions, consents, or ethical approvals. Additionally, observation can be intrusive or disruptive if it requires interfering with the normal workflow or activities of users or stakeholders. It can also be incomplete or inaccurate if all relevant aspects, scenarios, or variations of tasks are not observed. Lastly, observation can be subjective or biased due to personal assumptions, expectations, or preferences that may affect how findings are observed, interpreted, or reported.

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3 How to use observation effectively

Observation can be an effective elicitation technique when used properly and in combination with other techniques. To begin, define the purpose, scope, and objectives of the observation and identify the key questions or issues you want to address. Select the appropriate type, mode, and method of observation based on the nature, complexity, and sensitivity of the tasks or systems you want to observe. Plan and prepare for the observation session with tools such as a checklist, a camera, a recorder, a notebook, or a consent form. During the session, follow ethical and professional principles and guidelines such as respecting privacy and avoiding interfering with behavior or performance. Afterwards, analyze and document findings by using techniques like coding, categorizing, summarizing, or visualizing data. Additionally, use feedback, verification, or confirmation to ensure accuracy of your findings. Observation can provide valuable insights into user behavior but also has limitations and challenges that should be addressed when gathering requirements.

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Angela Wick

| 2 Million+ Trained | Helping BAs Navigate AI | BA-Cube.com Founder & Host | LinkedIn Learning Instructor
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Consider if the act of observing should be active or passive. Active observation is when the observer actively communicates during the user observation, asking questions to clarify what they are observing. Passive observation is where the user is observed without interacting with the user being observed.

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What are the benefits and challenges of using observation as an elicitation technique?

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1 Benefits of observation

2 Challenges of observation

3 How to use observation effectively

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