In requirements elicitation, which strategies are appropriate for discovering accurate user needs in an information system project?

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: All of the above

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
Eliciting user requirements is the foundation of a successful system. High quality requirements come from triangulating multiple strategies so that stated needs, real workflows, and validated prototypes converge into a precise specification.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Stakeholders include end users, managers, auditors, and IT staff.
  • The current system (manual or automated) embodies tacit knowledge.
  • There is uncertainty or ambiguity in initial problem statements.


Concept / Approach:
Effective elicitation combines inquiry (interviews, workshops), observation of the as-is process and data, and prototyping. Interviews reveal goals and constraints; observation exposes exceptions and workarounds; prototypes turn abstract ideas into concrete screens and reports that users can critique, reducing misinterpretation risk.


Step-by-Step Solution:

1) Conduct stakeholder mapping and schedule structured interviews. 2) Shadow users performing tasks; collect forms, reports, and data samples. 3) Draft user stories and acceptance criteria from findings. 4) Create low-fidelity mockups or working prototypes for feedback. 5) Iterate until requirements are consistent, testable, and prioritized.


Verification / Alternative check:
Requirements are validated when independent methods (spoken needs, observed behavior, prototype feedback) agree. If disagreement persists, revisit assumptions or stakeholder alignment.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:

Single-source reliance (for example, only brochures) ignores real context and leads to mismatched solutions.


Common Pitfalls:
Using only interviews (risk of idealized answers), ignoring edge cases seen in observation, or skipping prototypes which help surface usability gaps early.


Final Answer:
All of the above.

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