Context-Free Interview Script
(for Stakeholder Requests)
[The Generic Interview in this template features questions designed to elicit an understanding of the stakeholder or user's problems and environment. These questions explore the functionality, usability, reliability, performance and supportability requirements for the application. As a result of using the Generic Interview, the developer or analyst will gain knowledge of the problem being solved, as well as an understanding of the stakeholder or user's insights on the characteristics of successful solutions.]
[Ask questions such as the following:]
- Name: Company / Industry:
- Job Title:
- What are your key responsibilities?
- What deliverables do you produce? For whom?
- How is success measured?
- Which problems interfere with your success?
- Which, if any, trends make your job easier or harder?
- For which <application type> problems do you lack good solutions?
- What are they? [Tip: Keep asking "Anything else?]
Ask for each problem:
- Why does this problem exist?
- How do you solve it now?
- How would you like to solve it?
- Who are the users?
- What is their educational background?
- What is their computer background?
- Are users experienced with this type of application?
- Which platforms are in use? What are your plans for future platforms?
- Which additional applications do you use that we need to interface with?
- What are your expectations for usability of the product?
- What are your expectations for training time?
- What kinds of hard copy and on-line documentation do you need?
- You have told me [list stakeholder-described problems in your own words]:
o
o
o
- Does this represent the problems you are having with your existing solution?
- What, if any, other problems are you experiencing?
- [If not addressed] Which, if any, problems are associated with:
[List any needs or additional problems you think should concern the stakeholder or user]
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- Ask for each suggested problem:
- Is this a real problem?
- What are the reasons for this problem?
- How do you currently solve the problem?
- How would you like to solve the problem?
- How would you rank solving these problems in comparison to others you've mentioned?
- What if you could... [summarize the key capabilities of your proposed solution]
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- How would you rank the importance of these?
- Who needs this application in your organization?
- How many of these types of users would use the application?
- How would you value a successful solution?
- What are your expectations for reliability?
- What are your expectations for performance?
- Will you support the product, or will others support it?
- Do you have special needs for support? What about maintenance and service access?
- What are the security requirements?
- What are the installation and configuration requirements?
- What are the special licensing requirements?
- How will the software will be distributed?
- What are the labeling and packaging requirements?
Other Requirements
- Which, if any regulatory or environmental requirements or standards must be supported?
- Can you think of any other requirements we should know about?
- Are there any other questions I should be asking you?
- If I need to ask follow up questions, may I give you a call?
- Would you be willing to participate in a requirements review?
[Summarize below the three or four highest priority problems for this user/stakeholder]
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