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New Post 4/23/2008 1:18 PM
User is offline Ludmila
1 posts
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First interview with client 

Hi everyone!

I am preparing for my first interview with client (first in the project and my career), can anyone give me some guidelines - what to ask on the first project interview? I have prepared a lot of questions, but I feel that some of them might be too difficult to uderstand for the first meeting with clients. What is usually asked on the first meetings? The system we are working on is purchase document management system.

Thank you.

 
New Post 4/23/2008 2:40 PM
User is offline Adrian M.
765 posts
3rd Level Poster




Re: First interview with client 

In order to answer your question in details, and not just in a general way, we would need to know more about your project, situation, etc.

First of all you need to understand "why" you are meeting with the client!  What is the purpose of this meeting?

For example:

  • Is the purpose of this meeting to discuss the Vision of the document?
  • Does the Vision, Business Case, and Project Charger exist and you are now ready to elicit requirements?

You also need to understand the "state" of the project!

For example:

  • Are you adding creating a brand new system to support existing business processes?  If so, are these processes already documented?
  • Are you replacing an existing system? If so, any documentation exist for the existing system (requirements, functional specifications, user guides, etc.)?
  • Are you modifying an existing system? Again, are there any existing artifacts which describe the existing system?

You need to understand the "methodology" used on your project and in your organization!  Do you have a published process?  Can you manager guide you?

For example:

  • Are you operating in an Agile process where you will have direct access to the stakeholders during the development process? if so, you might not need to capture/elicit too much upfront as many of the details will come up via subsequent iterations.
  • Are you in an environment where requirements must be all documented upfront in details, using a specific type of artifact, and signed in blood by the C-Level Executives?
  • Somewhere in between?

In general, as long as you are somewhat prepared for the meeting (and you say you are) you'll be OK.   Just make sure you have some high-level open ended questions that you can ask and then be prepared to be quiet and listen.  I used this technique many times with success when I did not know much about the system, process, business.  This works because is 99% of cases there is one or two of the stakeholders who love to talk and they will gladly (and unknowingly) take over your meeting and elicit requirements or at least uncover information for you that you can piggyback on when continuing these client sessions.

- Adrian


Adrian Marchis
Business Analyst Community Blog - Post your thoughts!
 
New Post 5/26/2008 12:00 AM
User is offline LAnderson_Seilevel
1 posts
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Re: First interview with client 
Modified By Adrian M.  on 5/26/2008 5:50:46 PM)

There are a lot of tips that I could recommend when heading into your first facilitation session... It does not matter what type of system you are working to document.  Off the top of my head I would recommend doing the following:

Prepare, Prepare, Prepare....

  • Use co-workers or others to prepare for a small group workshop by role playing in advance.  Try those questions out ahead of time!!
  • Determine relevant business objectives before you hold the session
  • Increase your domain knowledge before using people's time
  • Prepare and distribute specific documents or artifacts in advance of each elicitation session. Get people an Agenda!
  • Be humble
  • Make sure you get context by focusing on the way things are done today but might need to change in the system
  • Use a structured approach when dealing with a group of people.

General Skills of a Good Facilitator:

  • Be comfortable in front of the group
  • Be confident
  • Be a good listener
  • Be Organized
  • Keep the Energy High
  • Ask good questions
  • And be Helpful

 

I really hope this helps!  You are really going to have a lot of fun with this position!

Lisa Anderson, Product Manager

Seilevel -Requirements Defined

 

 
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