If you don’t know it and know you don’t know it; you need to ask questions!
There is an old proverb that goes something like:
He who knows and knows he knows he is a wise man; seek him.
He who knows and knows not he knows he is asleep; wake him.
He who knows not and knows he knows not, he is a child; teach him.
He who knows not and knows not he knows not, he is a fool; shun him!
- Various
With a little spin, we can easily relate this to the task of gathering and defining technical and functional requirements for projects.
If you know it and know you know it; it is fact document it, it may be a requirement.
If you know it and don’t realize you know it; then it is fact or information by experience.
If you don’t know it and don’t know you don’t know it; ignorance is bliss and it’s in fate’s hand.
If you don’t know it and know you don’t know it; you need to ask questions!
Asking question can be challenging for a number of reasons. The first is most likely the genesis for statement four in the original proverb. People do not ask questions because they do not want to expose their lack of knowledge to a peer, client or manager. Where this can lead is a separate blog entry. Asking clients questions that result in information, which can be distilled into ‘fact’, and documented as a requirement is an art that develops over time. Follow these quick tips to get the conversation rolling.
• Ask questions that cannot be answered with yes or no.
• Keeps the conversation going with simple follow on questions.
• Change your tone and language to seem curious rather than confrontational.
• Ask as many people as you can the same questions and collaborate.
