Job observation is a technique that involves observing and documenting the tasks, activities, and behaviors of a stakeholder or a group of stakeholders in their work environment. It helps to elicit information about the current state of the business processes, the roles and responsibilities of the stakeholders, the problems and issues they face, and the opportunities for improvement. Job observation can be done in different ways, such as:
Job shadowing: This is a process of following and observing a stakeholder as they perform their work tasks. It allows the business analyst to gain a firsthand and detailed understanding of the stakeholder’s perspective, needs, challenges, and expectations. Job shadowing can also facilitate rapport and trust building between the business analyst and the stakeholder12
Video or audio recording: This is a process of capturing the work tasks and activities of a stakeholder or a group of stakeholders using a video or audio device. It allows the business analyst to review and analyze the recorded data at a later time, and to identify patterns, trends, gaps, and inconsistencies. Video or audio recording can also provide a visual or auditory evidence of the current state of the business processes3
Work sampling: This is a process of observing and recording the work tasks and activities of a stakeholder or a group of stakeholders at random intervals over a period of time. It allows the business analyst to estimate the frequency, duration, and variability of the work tasks and activities, and to measure the productivity, efficiency, and quality of the work performance. Work sampling can also provide a statistical representation of the current state of the business processes.
The other options are not elicitation processes that are part of job observation, but they are related to other business analysis knowledge areas or techniques:
Identifying stakeholders: This is a process of determining who are the individuals or groups that have an interest or influence on the project or the solution, and what are their needs, expectations, and level of involvement. It helps to plan and execute the stakeholder engagement and communication strategies, and to manage the stakeholder relationships. Identifying stakeholders is part of the business analysis planning and monitoring knowledge area.
Defining and determining business analysis processes: This is a process of establishing and documenting the business analysis approach, activities, tasks, deliverables, roles, responsibilities, and governance. It helps to plan, monitor, and control the business analysis work, and to align it with the project objectives and stakeholder preferences. Defining and determining business analysis processes is part of the business analysis planning and monitoring knowledge area.
Planning how requirements will be approached, traced, and prioritized: This is a process of defining and documenting the requirements management plan, which specifies how the requirements will be elicited, analyzed, documented, validated, verified, approved, communicated, traced, prioritized, changed, and maintained. It helps to ensure the quality, consistency, and alignment of the requirements with the stakeholder needs and expectations. Planning how requirements will be approached, traced, and prioritized is part of the business analysis planning and monitoring knowledge area.
References:
Business Analysis Techniques - ECBA, CCBA, CBAP Endorsed, Section 7.4: Requirements Elicitation, p. 79-80.
Certification of Capability in Business Analysis (CCBA®) - Simplilearn, Module 6: Elicitation and Collaboration, Lesson 6.3: Conduct Elicitation, p. 6-7.
Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK® Guide), Version 3, Chapter 4: Elicitation and Collaboration, Section 4.2: Elicitation Techniques, p. 70-71.
[Certification of Capability in Business Analysis (CCBA®) - Simplilearn], Module 6: Elicitation and Collaboration, Lesson 6.3: Conduct Elicitation, p. 8-9.
[Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK® Guide)], Version 3, Chapter 4: Elicitation and Collaboration, Section 4.2: Elicitation Techniques, p. 71-72.
[Certification of Capability in Business Analysis (CCBA®) - Simplilearn], Module 6: Elicitation and Collaboration, Lesson 6.3: Conduct Elicitation, p. 10-11.
[Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK® Guide)], Version 3, Chapter 2: Business Analysis Planning and Monitoring, Section 2.2: Plan Stakeholder Engagement, p. 34-35.
[Certification of Capability in Business Analysis (CCBA®) - Simplilearn], Module 5: Planning and Monitoring, Lesson 5.2: Conduct Stakeholder Analysis, p. 6-7.
[Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK® Guide)], Version 3, Chapter 2: Business Analysis Planning and Monitoring, Section 2.1: Plan Business Analysis Approach, p. 31-33.
[Certification of Capability in Business Analysis (CCBA®) - Simplilearn], Module 5: Planning and Monitoring, Lesson 5.1: Plan Business Analysis Approach, p. 6-7.
[Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK® Guide)], Version 3, Chapter 2: Business Analysis Planning and Monitoring, Section 2.3: Plan Business Analysis Governance, p. 36-37.
[Certification of Capability in Business Analysis (CCBA®) - Simplilearn], Module 5: Planning and Monitoring, Lesson 5.3: Plan Business Analysis Governance, p. 6-7.
