Interview Questions for Business Analysts and Systems Analysts

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INTERVIEW QUESTION:

Give an example of how you would use the problem restatement technique of ‘5W + 1H’.

Posted by Chris Adams

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Categories: Business Analysis, Requirements Analysis (BABOK KA), Analytical and Problem Solving Skills, Elicitation (BABOK KA)

ANSWER

The ‘5W + 1H’ technique (Who, What, When, Where, Why, + How) is used to create multiple variations of the problem statement beginning each statement with one of the 5W + 1H key words.

Example:

Should we alter our current customer service procedures?
Who should alter their current customer service procedures?
What should our current customer service procedures be?
When should we change our current customer service procedures?
Why should we alter our current customer service procedures?
How can we alter our current customer service procedures?

Rewriting the statement using the ‘5W + 1H’ technique broadens the focus of the Subject Matter Experts and Business Analysts. This technique can be used at anytime, but is particularly important if the initial problem statement is close ended phrase requiring a simple yes or no answer. This often constrains the thought process of the Subject Matter Experts and Business Analysts. The resulting statements often shed new light on the problem and help the group determine the principle issue.

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Do your homework prior to the business analysis interview!

Having an idea of the type of questions you might be asked during a business analyst interview will not only give you confidence but it will also help you to formulate your thoughts and to be better prepared to answer the interview questions you might get during the interview for a business analyst position. Of course, just memorizing a list of business analyst interview questions will not make you a great business analyst but it might just help you get that next job.