How do you prioritize requirements?
Theme: Requirements Role: Business Analyst Function: Technology
Interview Question for Business Analyst: See sample answers, motivations & red flags for this common interview question. About Business Analyst: Analyze business processes and requirements to propose technology solutions. This role falls within the Technology function of a firm. See other interview questions & further information for this role here
Sample Answer
Example response for question delving into Requirements with the key points that need to be covered in an effective response. Customize this to your own experience with concrete examples and evidence
- Understanding the Business Objectives: I prioritize requirements by first understanding the business objectives and goals. This involves conducting thorough discussions with stakeholders to gain clarity on their priorities and expectations
- Evaluating Impact & Feasibility: Next, I evaluate the impact and feasibility of each requirement. This includes assessing the potential benefits, risks, and costs associated with implementing the requirement
- Categorizing Requirements: I categorize requirements based on their urgency, importance, and dependencies. This helps in determining the order in which they should be addressed
- Collaborating with Stakeholders: I collaborate with stakeholders to gather their input and insights on prioritizing requirements. This ensures that their perspectives are considered and helps in reaching a consensus
- Using Prioritization Techniques: I utilize various prioritization techniques such as MoSCoW (Must have, Should have, Could have, Won't have), Kano model, or cost-benefit analysis to objectively rank requirements
- Considering Time & Resource Constraints: I take into account time and resource constraints while prioritizing requirements. This involves considering project timelines, available resources, and budget limitations
- Revisiting & Adjusting Priorities: I regularly revisit and adjust priorities based on changing business needs, emerging risks, and new information. This ensures that the requirements remain aligned with the evolving business environment
- Documenting & Communicating Priorities: I document and communicate the prioritized requirements to all relevant stakeholders. This helps in providing clarity and transparency regarding the order in which requirements will be addressed
- Monitoring & Reviewing Priorities: I continuously monitor and review the priorities throughout the project lifecycle. This allows for adjustments and refinements as needed to ensure successful delivery of the most valuable requirements
Underlying Motivations
What the Interviewer is trying to find out about you and your experiences through this question
- Analytical skills: Assessing the ability to analyze and evaluate requirements based on their importance and impact on business objectives
- Decision-making abilities: Evaluating the candidate's ability to make informed decisions and prioritize requirements based on available resources and constraints
- Communication skills: Assessing the candidate's ability to effectively communicate and negotiate with stakeholders to understand their needs and align requirements accordingly
- Problem-solving skills: Evaluating the candidate's approach to identifying and resolving conflicts or dependencies between requirements to ensure efficient prioritization
Potential Minefields
How to avoid some common minefields when answering this question in order to not raise any red flags
- Lack of understanding: Not being able to explain the importance of prioritizing requirements or the impact of not prioritizing them correctly
- Rigid approach: Being inflexible and not considering changing priorities or adapting to new information
- Lack of stakeholder involvement: Not mentioning involving stakeholders in the prioritization process or not considering their input
- Inability to justify decisions: Not being able to explain the rationale behind prioritizing certain requirements over others
- Ignoring business value: Not considering the potential impact on the business or the value that each requirement brings
- Overemphasis on technical aspects: Focusing solely on technical feasibility without considering other factors like cost, time, or resources
- Inconsistent prioritization criteria: Not having a clear and consistent set of criteria for prioritizing requirements
- Lack of adaptability: Not being open to re-prioritizing requirements based on changing business needs or project constraints
- Poor communication skills: Not being able to effectively communicate the prioritization decisions to stakeholders or team members
- Inability to manage conflicts: Not addressing conflicts or disagreements that may arise during the prioritization process