How can observations be beneficial in the elicitation process?

Observations play a crucial role in the elicitation process primarily because they deliver real-world insights into user behavior and needs that users might not verbalize. This form of data collection allows a business analyst to see firsthand how users interact with a system, product, or service in their natural environment. Such insights can reveal important details about workflows, challenges faced by users, and their preferences or habits, which may not be captured through traditional interviews or surveys where users might struggle to identify and articulate their true needs.

This method also enables analysts to uncover implicit requirements, as users may not always be aware of their needs or may struggle to express them fully. By observing users in action, analysts can gather context-rich information, leading to a deeper understanding of the system’s functionality from a user-centric perspective. This qualitative data complements quantitative data and helps create a comprehensive requirements analysis, ensuring that the final outputs align closely with user expectations and solve real problems.