What is the term for the process of gathering or extracting information from stakeholders using targeted questions?

The process of gathering or extracting information from stakeholders using targeted questions is best described as an interview. Interviews are structured or semi-structured interactions where a business analyst communicates directly with stakeholders to elicit specific information, opinions, or insights. The nature of interviews allows for in-depth exploration of topics, providing a platform for follow-up questions and clarifications that can lead to a better understanding of stakeholder needs and issues.

In an interview, the business analyst can tailor their questions to the individual stakeholder's expertise and perspective, which is crucial for obtaining detailed and relevant information. This method is highly effective for both individual insights and personal accounts, making it a valuable technique in requirements elicitation and stakeholder analysis.

While surveys, workshops, and focus groups also involve gathering information from stakeholders, they have different structures and approaches. Surveys typically involve written questionnaires sent to multiple respondents, often resulting in more quantitative data. Workshops gather a group of stakeholders for collaborative sessions to brainstorm and discuss collectively, while focus groups involve a moderated discussion among a group of stakeholders to gather diverse opinions and insights. Each of these methods has its merits, but for the specific scenario of using targeted questions in a direct dialogue, interviews are the most appropriate choice.