Interviewing

1
Interviewing

• The Main Fact Finding Method

2
Interviewing

• the primary technique of Systems Analysts/
  Designers/ Developers
• an opportunity to build or lose user trust
• an opportunity to sell the change

3
Interviews

• the richest source of various kinds of
  information
• detailed facts
• contexts
• political aspects
• opinions
• feelings / fears / expectations

4
Firstly interview yourself

• what are your biases/orientations? (techno /
  humanistic)
• how is your ego (can it go in a box?)
• can you avoid talking down/up to anyone?
• can you tactfully stay on track?
• Mentally walkthrough the personal interaction
  with each respondent observing your
  professionalism

5
Interview Planning

• gather and read background material
• prioritise respondents
• establish interview objectives
• call ahead
• plan question phases

6
Question Types

• Open ended
• Closed
• Probes
• to be avoided
• Leading
• Double-barrelled

7
Interview Structures

• Pyramid
• Funnel
• Diamond
• Unstructured

8
Recording

• note taking
• tape

9
Behaviour

• personal protocols
• eye contact
• revision
• exhibit gathering
• opening later engagements
• thanks
• write-up immediately / copy to respondent

10
Searching Documentation

• performed prior to and during interviewing
• reports
• give contextual historical background
• answer why questions
• forms
• should be gathered before during interviews
• show what data is currently in the system
• representation
• whether mandatory
• current volumes

11
Observation

• Notice Board
• Importance Style indicators
• Body Language
• Technology friendliness