Requirements Analysis
Dr. Merle P. Martin
CSU Sacramento
Agenda
Goals
 Methods
 Interviewing
 Questionnaires
 Observation
 Requirements Analysis Document

Requirements Analysis Goals
Fully describe current system
 Determine ideal information system
 Identify resource constraints
 Inspire user confidence / ownership
 Figure 7-6, page 246

Requirements Analysis
Methods

Checklists pp. 228-233
Interviews
Questionnaires
Observation
Procedure Analysis
Document Survey
Methods (continued)
How method used
 Target for method (DFD)
 Advantages
 Disadvantages
 When method best used

Interviewing Questions
Who should interview?
 Should we take notes?
 How many interviewers?
 Structured or unstructured questions?
 How long should interview last?

Interviewing Tips
Watch the time
 Don’t look at watch
 No leading questions
 Listen
 No body language

Interviewing Tips (continued)
Make user feel important
 Be courteous / professional
 Don’t take exhaustive notes
 Use structured questions
 Don’t ask users to remember details
use observation instead
 Avoid gang interviews

Questionnaires
Response Rate
% returned
questionnaire length
make first part interesting
place demographics at end
closed questions
 Figure 7-5, page 240

Observation
Not for long periods of time
will change what you’re measuring
 Vary observation periods
 Take only minimal, pre-planned notes
 Coordinate visit beforehand
 Beware of Selective Perception!

Requirements Analysis
Document

Parts
How analysis conducted
credibility
restarts
User Requirements
System Constraints
Realistic System Objectives
Documentation (appendix)
User Requirements
User system objectives (unedited)
 Reports (type / frequency)
 User training needs
 Effect of new system on various users
Organization Chart

System Constraints
Time
 Skills
 Funds
 Technology
 External factors

Documentation
Data collection instruments
 DFDs
 Other

Concepts to Remember
Requirements Analysis goals
 Methods (checklists)
 Interviews
 Questionnaires
 Observation
 Requirements Analysis
Document
