Best Practices for Successful Elicitation as a Business Analyst

Elicitation is a critical phase in the requirements gathering process, and success depends on the
business analyst's ability to effectively engage stakeholders and extract valuable insights. In this
article, we'll outline some best practices for successful elicitation as a business analyst, including:

Establishing Clear Objectives: Clearly define the purpose and scope of the elicitation activity to
ensure that stakeholders understand what is expected of them.

Building Rapport: Establishing trust and rapport with stakeholders is essential for eliciting candid and
honest feedback. Create a supportive and collaborative environment where stakeholders feel
comfortable sharing their perspectives.

Active Listening: Practice active listening techniques, such as paraphrasing, clarifying, and
summarizing, to ensure that you fully understand stakeholders' needs and preferences.

Asking Open-Ended Questions: Use open-ended questions to encourage stakeholders to provide

detailed responses and explore their underlying motivations and concerns.

Capturing and Documenting Requirements: Take thorough notes during elicitation sessions and
document requirements in a clear and structured manner to ensure that nothing is overlooked.

Managing Stakeholder Expectations: Set realistic expectations with stakeholders regarding the
outcomes of the elicitation process and communicate any constraints or limitations upfront.

Iterative Approach: Recognize that elicitation is an iterative process, and be prepared to revisit and
refine requirements as new information emerges or project requirements evolve.

By incorporating these best practices into their elicitation efforts, business analysts can enhance
stakeholder engagement, improve requirements quality, and ultimately, contribute to project
success.