Definition
An interview is designed to elicit information and requirements from a person or a group through questions and their documentation.
It implies direct communication with individuals or with groups of people who are part of an initiative.
One-on-one interviews are the most common. In a group interview (with more than one interviewee in attendance), the person in charge is careful to elicit responses from each participant.
2 types of interviews
Structured Interview: the interviewer asks predefined questions.
Unstructured Interview: the interviewer asks their questions based on interviewee responses and interactions.
Ideally, business analysts use a combination of structured and unstructured questions.
Why conduct interviews?
Interpersonal skills
Creates trusting relationships between stakeholders and business analysts.
Strengthens stakeholders’ involvement.
Fosters cooperation in seeking solutions through conversation.
Allows for non-verbal expression observation.
Organisational
Simple, direct and usable in numerous situations.
Allows the person in charge and participants to analyse topics in depth and to provide explanations on questions and responses.
The person in charge can ask complementary thorough questions in order to confirm their own understanding.
Helps participants to deliver honest responses, especially in the event of an anonymous interview.
How to prepare and to conduct an interview
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