Dr. Mario Guimaraes

1
Fact Finding
Dr. Mario Guimaraes
2
Fact Finding

• Formal process of using techniques such as
  interviews and questionnaires to collect facts
  about systems, requirements, and preferences.

3
Fact-Finding Techniques

• Database developer normally uses several
  fact-finding techniques during a single database
  project including
• examining documentation,
• interviewing,
• Group interview, JAD
• observing organization in operation,
• research,
• questionnaires.

4
Documents
5
Interviews

• Most commonly used, and normally most useful,
  fact-finding technique.
• Enables collection of information from
  individuals face-to-face.
• Objectives include finding out facts, verifying
  facts, clarifying facts, generating enthusiasm,
  getting end-user involved, identifying
  requirements, and gathering ideas and opinions.

6
Interview Advantage/Disadvantage
7
Types of Interviews

• Structured Close ended questions
• Unstructured Open ended questions

8
Phases in an Interview

• Selecting Interviewees who to interview
• Designing Interview Questions open ended,
• closed ended questions, etc.
• Preparing for the Interview
• Conducting the Interview
• Post-Interview Follow-up

9
Preparing for Interview

• Prepare General Interview Plan
• List of Question
• Anticipated Answers and Follow-Ups
• Confirm Areas of Knowledge
• Set Priorities in Case of Time Shortage
• Prepare the Interviewee
• Schedule
• Inform of Reason for Interview
• Inform of Areas of Discussion

10
Conducting Interview

• Appear professional and unbiased
• Record all information
• Check on organizational policy regarding tape
  recording
• Be sure you understand all issues and terms
• Separate facts from opinions
• Give interviewee time to ask questions
• Be sure to thank the interviewee
• End on time
• Tips Dont Worry, Be Happy, Pay Attention,
  Summarize Key Points,
• Be Succinct, Be Honest, Watch Body Language

11
Post Interview

• Prepare Interview Notes
• Prepare Interview Report
• Look for Gaps and New Questions

12
Observation

• Effective technique for understanding system.
• Possible to participate in, or watch, a person
  perform activities to learn about system.
• Useful when validity of data collected is in
  question or when complexity of certain aspects of
  system prevents clear explanation by end-users.
• Example studying how a student learns through
  VERBAL PROTOCOLS.

13
Adv./Dis. Of Observation
14
Research
15
Questionnaires

• Conduct surveys through questionnaires
  special-purpose documents that allow facts to be
  gathered from a large number of people while
  maintaining some control over their responses.
• Two types of questions, namely free-format and
  fixed-format.

16
Questionnaires
17
JAD or Group Interview

• ADVANTAGES
• one user may get idea from other user.
• Avoids redundancy in interview
• Saves interviewers time
• DISADVANTAGE
• one user hogs conversation
• hierarchical structure of organization
• may not allow some users to speak freely.

18
End of Lecture

• End
• Of
• Todays
• Lecture.