This is quite a common method of fact finding but it is also the most difficult. Designing a useful questionnaire requires knowledge of the system so you can target your questions. It is also important to restrict the number of choices available for each question as some people may give unexpected responses. This means that questionnaires can only give small amounts of information about a very specific part of the system.

This does not mean that they are not useful in fact this is far from the truth. Once you accept the limitations of questionnaires they can be used with great effect. Most notably you can get a lot of responses on a specific requirement of the system. This is highly advantageous especially if that is part of the system the analyst needs to be verified. As a questionnaire can be given to a lot of people you will most likely get back a range of responses. For example consider the idea that we should use a touch screen system or swipe card. This could be set up into a questionnaire and the analyst could then see what the users response to this would be. They could then make the appropriate decision backing it up with hard evidence.

Advantages

• Can be given to a large number of people at once.
• Can get a large number of different opinions.

Disadvantages

• Hard to create and design.
• Not all questionnaires sent out will be completed.