Database Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure 6.19. A report sample from Mike's Bikes
Now you're ready to interview Mike's staff. Here are some points to remember as you're
conducting the interviews.
• Identify the types of data staff members are using and how they use that data. Be
sure to use the Subject-Identification Technique and the Characteristic-Identifica-
tion Technique to help you analyze responses and formulate follow-up questions.
• Review all the samples you gathered during the beginning of the analysis process.
Determine how each sample is used, write an appropriate description, and attach
the description to the sample.
• Identify the staff's information requirements. Determine what information they're
currently using, what additional information they need (remember to use the
samples), and what kind of information they believe they'll need as the business
evolves.
During the interview, one of the employees wonders whether she can add a new field to
the supplier phone list report. How do you respond? You hand her the report and ask her
to attach a note indicating the name of the new field and a brief explanation of why she
believes it's necessary. When she's finished, return the sample to the report samples folder.
Figure 6.20
shows the report sample with the attached note.
