Database Reference
In-Depth Information
The interview process involves two sets of discussions: one with users and the other with
management. You'll speak to the users first because they represent the “front lines” of the
organization.Theyhavetheclearestpictureofthedetailsconnectedwiththeorganization's
dailyoperations.Also,theinformationyougatherfromtheusersshouldhelpyoutounder-
stand the answers you receive from management.
Interviewing Users
The first part of the interview process involves conducting user interviews. The interviews
focus on these four issues:
1.
The types of data users are currently using
2.
How users are currently using their data
3.
The collection of samples you assembled during the first two steps of the analysis
4.
And the types of information users require for their daily work
Because these issues are both data-centric and information-centric, you must be certain
that you understand and always keep in mind the difference between data and information.
Recall from
Chapter 3
,
“
Terminology
,
” that
data
are the values you store in the database
and
information
isdatathatyouprocessinamannerthatmakesitmeaningfulandusefulto
you when you work with it or view it. Keeping these definitions in mind will help ensure
that you focus on each issue properly and conduct each segment of the interview success-
fully.
Reviewing Data Type and Usage
You can usually discuss the first two issues at the same time if you carefully phrase your
questions at the beginning of the interview. Your objective for this part of the interview
is to identify the types of data the users are currently using and how they use that data in
support of the work they do. You'll use this information later in the design process to help
define field and table structures. Use the data collection and data representation samples
to help you formulate questions about the user's data. (However, don't actually discuss the
samples justyet; youshoulddeal withthem separately.)Duringthisdiscussion, you'llstart
with open-ended questions, identify subjects within the responses, and then use specific
follow-up questions to identify the characteristics of each subject.
As you begin the interview, ask each participant about the work he or she performs on a
dailybasis.Afteraparticipant providesanoveralldescriptionoftheworkhedoes,askhim
to explain his job in more detail. Perhaps he can walk you through the job he performs on
a daily basis.
Here's an example of a typical conversation that occurs during this part of the interview:
