Towards a Competency Model for Requirements Analysts

Info Systems J (2012) 22, 475–503

30 Pages Posted: 22 Aug 2014

See all articles by Ruth Klendauer

Ruth Klendauer

Technische Universität München (TUM)

Marina Berkovich

Technische Universität München (TUM) - Information Systems

Richard Gelvin

Independent

J. M. Leimeister

University of St. Gallen; University of Kassel - Information Systems

Helmut Krcmar

Technische Universität München (TUM)

Date Written: 2012

Abstract

Requirements engineering is a software development discipline, executed by requirements analysts (RAs), that includes requirements elicitation, analysis, specification and validation. Its successful outcome is very often essential to overall project success. However, there is a lack of systematically conducted empirical research on the competencies of RAs. This paper addressed this gap by conducting 64 interviews at eight major North American and European financial services companies. Our qualitative research design follows an interpretive approach and uses critical incident technique. We develop a competency model, which specifies 16 critical competencies, and integrates contextual and situational factors as well as results variables. ‘Consulting others’, ‘Testing assumptions and investigating’ and ‘Explaining concepts and opinions’ were the most frequently identified competencies. This indicates that for an effective analyst, close interaction and communication with customers is indeed crucial – but of equally importance is the critical questioning of the expressed needs. Surprisingly, applying specific tools and advanced techniques did not seem to play a significant role from the interviewees’ perspective. This study contributes to theory as it is the first to elaborate a competency model for RAs. It also provides a foundation for the development of competency-based training in companies and universities.

Keywords: requirements engineering, competency model, critical incident technique, software development

Suggested Citation

Klendauer, Ruth and Berkovich, Marina and Gelvin, Richard and Leimeister, Jan Marco and Krcmar, Helmut, Towards a Competency Model for Requirements Analysts (2012). Info Systems J (2012) 22, 475–503, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2484466

Ruth Klendauer

Technische Universität München (TUM) ( email )

Arcisstrasse 21
Munich, DE 80333
Germany

Marina Berkovich

Technische Universität München (TUM) - Information Systems ( email )

Boltzmannstr. 3
Garching b. Munich, 85748
Germany

Richard Gelvin

Independent ( email )

Jan Marco Leimeister (Contact Author)

University of St. Gallen ( email )

Varnbuelstr. 14
Saint Gallen, St. Gallen CH-9000
Switzerland

University of Kassel - Information Systems ( email )

Pfannkuchstraße 1
Kassel, 34121
Germany

Helmut Krcmar

Technische Universität München (TUM) ( email )

Arcisstrasse 21
Munich, DE 80333
Germany

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