3 Meeting: Brainstorming, Focus Groups and Workshops
3 meeting for a Business Analyst (BA), Brainstorming, Focus Groups, and Workshops are all techniques used to gather information, generate ideas, or solve problems — but they differ significantly in structure, purpose, and participants. Here’s a breakdown:
1. Brainstorming
Purpose:
To generate a wide range of ideas or solutions quickly.
Key Characteristics:
- Informal and creative.
- Typically involves a small group (e.g., stakeholders, SMEs, BAs).
- Focus is on quantity over quality initially — evaluation comes later.
- No idea is criticized during the session to encourage free thinking.
When Used:
- Early in the project to identify possible solutions or business needs.
- During problem-solving phases when multiple perspectives are valuable.
2. Focus Groups
Purpose:
To gather opinions, attitudes, and perceptions from a targeted group of users or customers.
Key Characteristics:
- Moderated discussion with 6–12 participants.
- Participants typically share a common trait (e.g., end users, customers).
- Semi-structured format: guided by questions, but open to spontaneous discussion.
- Aimed at understanding user needs, experiences, or reactions to a product or concept.
When Used:
- During requirements elicitation or validation phases.
- To get feedback on prototypes, features, or service concepts.
3. Workshops
Purpose:
To collaborate with stakeholders to define requirements, prioritize features, or solve problems.
Key Characteristics:
- Structured and facilitated sessions.
- Involves multiple stakeholders from different areas (e.g., business, IT, users).
- Interactive: uses techniques like modeling, prioritization, role-playing.
- Focused on decision-making and alignment.
When Used:
- For detailed requirements gathering, scope definition, or process improvement.
- When multiple stakeholder perspectives need to be integrated.
Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | Brainstorming | Focus Groups | Workshops |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goal | Idea generation | Gather opinions/perceptions | Collaborate for decision-making |
| Structure | Informal | Semi-structured | Structured |
| Participants | Internal team/stakeholders | External users/customers | Cross-functional stakeholders |
| BA Role | Facilitator or contributor | Moderator or observer | Facilitator |
| Best For | Creativity, early solutions | User insights, market needs | Requirements, consensus building |
✅ Key Strategy: Focus on the Purpose and Participants in the Scenario
1. If the scenario involves…
“A BA is trying to generate a large number of ideas or potential solutions in a short time, without judgment.”
🔹 Answer: Brainstorming
Clue: Creative idea generation, internal team, no decision-making yet.
2. If the scenario says…
“The BA is gathering customer feedback or opinions from a specific segment of users about a product or service.”
🔹 Answer: Focus Group
Clue: External participants (users/customers), perception gathering, guided discussion.
3. If the scenario involves…
“The BA is facilitating a structured session with stakeholders from multiple departments to define requirements or reach consensus.”
🔹 Answer: Workshop
Clue: Cross-functional team, decision-making or requirement elicitation, formal facilitation.
🧠 Quick Memory Aids:
- Brainstorming = “Think fast, no filter”
- Focus Group = “What do users think?”
- Workshop = “Let’s define and decide together”
💡 Exam Tips:
- Highlight keywords like: “users,” “feedback,” “idea generation,” “collaboration,” “consensus,” “internal team”.
- Watch for verbs like:
- “Generate” = Brainstorming
- “Discuss feedback” = Focus Group
- “Define, decide, prioritize” = Workshop
- Eliminate answers that don’t fit the goal/purpose.
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