Although it may seem simple at first, the process of gathering business requirements is crucial. Gathering business requirements is an essential step in any project. Both the stakeholders and the project development team expect Business Analysts to align business requirements with business objectives and needs.

[divider /]
Also read: How to prepare for PMI/PBA Certification
[divider /]
Common Problems Business Analysts Face During the Requirement Gathering
Most of the problems encountered by Business Analysts during the requirement gathering phase are those that they have to deal with. Business Analysts need to be able to identify the issues and prepare for the next challenge. They must also know how to ease the process. Here are some of the most common challenges business analysts face:
Common Problems faced by Business Analysts during Requirement Gathering
Business analysts often fail to grasp the organization’s goals or objectives. Business analysts can make consistent and true decisions when they have a clear understanding of the business objective.
Statements by business users that are inconsistent or ambiguous
Most business users will start with their desires. Expectations that are vague or ambiguous may cause delays in business analysis.
System Thinking is lacking
Business Analysts lack of understanding of business processes, and their connections with other systems. System thinking is a way to solve problems. It allows the business analyst to see the problem as part a larger system and recommend a solution.
Barriers to FaceTime with Business Users
Business analysts often face the problem of key business users not attending key meetings to discuss business needs. It could be due to their busy schedules, lack of interest, or bad timing.
Communication issues with end users
The Business Analyst must choose the most efficient communication method to resolve conflict with end users. Sometimes it is necessary to bring the end users together in person. The business requirements are often presented to more than one user after the elicitation. The business analyst should determine which format is most effective and efficient to present requirements information.
Inadequacy of understanding the behavior of AS-IS Systems
Some business analysts don’t see the value of understanding and using the “AS-IS” systems. It is often thought that it is a wasteful of time. However, it has been proven that an improved understanding of AS-IS systems will help save considerable time during the requirements gathering phase.
Stakeholders frequently change their minds about the requirements
Business analysts must consider the ability of each stakeholder to provide requirements promptly when planning how to communicate with stakeholders. This includes business analysts identifying stakeholders that may change their requirements. They should also plan for formal reviews and re-reviews with such stakeholder.
Organizational priorities must change
Organizational priorities are the biggest challenge facing organizations. The Business Analyst must understand how the business requirements relate to the overall business goals and objectives of the organization and recommend the right solution.
Dependency with Third Party Vendors
Every project depends to some degree on third parties. It is crucial to understand, measure, and manage the possible impacts of these third parties.
[divider /]
Read More: Why is certification necessary to grow in the field of business analysis?
[divider /]
These are the challenges business analysts can overcome
Know the Organization
Understanding the business unit and organization is the first phase of any project. It gives a complete picture of the business so that the business goals, objectives, and requirements that are captured can be aligned with the business goals, objectives, and objectives of both the business unit and the organization.
Identify the Scope of Analysis
This will give us a broad understanding of the organization and help us to determine the size of the problem or opportunity. There are many ways to accomplish this, but one way is to fully understand the AS-IS process diagrams in the organization.
The Big Picture
These process diagrams will help to understand the process at a high level. It is called “Level 0”. It can be drilled from “Level 0” down to the lowest possible level – Level1, Level2, and Level3, etc. If AS-IS process diagrams are not available, it is the responsibility of the respondent.