BA Technique #31: Observation

Observing how people work, interact, or use systems to gather insights to identify areas for improvement

Erivan de Sena Ramos
4 min readJan 7, 2024

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Photo by DCP on Unsplash

Greetings, my fellow BAs! Get ready for another intriguing Business Analysis technique straight from The BABOK Guide v3. Brace yourselves to delve into the essential realm of system behaviour and user experience with the technique of Observation. It empowers Business Analysts to keenly observe and gather valuable insights to enhance system design and analysis outcomes. Let’s dive in without delay!

What is this technique about?

Observation has been a data collection technique used in many fields for centuries. In business analysis, it was recognized that relying only on interviews and documentation for requirements gathering had limitations. By observing stakeholders in their natural settings, Business Analysts gain valuable insights into their behaviours, workflows, pain points, and opportunities for improvement.

How to apply this technique?

Here are some suggested steps to apply this technique in Business Analysis:

  1. Define the Objective: Clearly establish the purpose of the observation.
  2. Plan the Observation: Develop a logistical…

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Erivan de Sena Ramos

Business Analysis & Requirements Engineering enthusiast. Information Systems & Software Engineering specialist. MBA in PM & HR. CBAP, PMP, CSM, ITIL & COBIT