Using Stakeholder Analysis to Define the Problem in Systems Engineering

摘要

The first step in most system life cycles is the problem definition. Stakeholder analysis is a key technique to insure the problem has been fully and completely described before we attempt to obtain a solution to the problem. We identify and describe the three most common techniques for stakeholder analysis: interviews, focus groups, and surveys. We compare the three techniques using five criteria: time commitment of participants, ideal stakeholder group, preparation, execution, and analysis. We identify best practices to make stakeholder analysis both effective and efficient. This paper will aid the new practitioner and student of systems engineering as they organize and execute an effective stakeholder analysis, which is critical to the success of any systems engineering project.