Collect Requirements - Project Scope Management
In accordance with the PMBOK Guide Seventh Edition, 'Collect Requirements' is a critical process within the Project Scope Management Knowledge Area.
Why it's important: 'Collect Requirements' is essential because it gathers, defines, and manages all the requirements to meet the project objectives. Failure to collect all necessary requirements can lead to project failure.
What it is: 'Collect Requirements' is the process of determining, documenting and managing stakeholder needs and requirements to meet project objectives. It addresses both product requirements (what product will do) and project requirements (what must be in place to deliver project).
How it works: The key steps in the 'Collect Requirements' process typically involves interviews, focus groups, facilitated workshops, group creativity techniques, group decision-making techniques, questionnaires and surveys, observations, and document analysis. It concludes with a requirements documentation that is shared with all stakeholders.
Exam Tips - Answering Questions on 'Collect Requirements': Understand that 'Collect Requirements' is about defining and managing stakeholders’ needs. Incorrect requirements are one of the main reasons projects fail so questions may focus on correct and efficient gathering of requirements, prioritizing requirements and dealing with conflicting requirements. It's also important to remember that changes to the project requirements should go through formal change control processes.
Remember, the exam could have situational questions that require application of 'Collect Requirements' process in context of the scenario presented. Understanding the core concept and process is the key to answer such questions correctly.