Activity 4.2: Gathering Information In this activity you will use the concepts and skills learned in Modules 2–4 to summarize the information in the Ferguson and Bardell, Inc. case study. In this activity, you will develop a strategy to gather information on the business challenge and vision statement. You will also summarize the information available in the case study. Finally, you will have an opportunity to interview a long-term employee of Ferguson and Bardell, Inc. Objectives After completing this activity, you will be able to: ! Develop a strategy for gathering information. Before You Begin This activity consists of small group tasks and class discussion. Materials To complete this activity, you will need: ! The Ferguson and Bardell, Inc. case study in Appendix 1. ! Flip-chart paper and markers. ! Results from Activities 2.3, 3.3, and 4.1. Time to complete this activity: 35 minutes followed by a 15-minute class discussion 24 Activity 4.2: Gathering Information Exercise 1: Developing a Strategy ! Develop an information-gathering strategy (10 minutes) 1. Work in small groups as assigned by the instructor. 2. Review the case study, as well as the business challenge and vision statement that the class agreed on in Activity 2.3. 3. Develop a written information-gathering strategy that is specific to Ferguson and Bardell, Inc. What do you need to collect? What techniques will you use to collect it? How will you record the information you collect? How will you address business and user perspectives? What time frame will you use to collect the information? Look at the results of Activities 3.3 and 4.1 for ideas for some of these questions. 4. Develop a plan as if it was a proposal that you need to present to the project stakeholders. What would be the best method to present the plan to the stakeholders? Write your plan in the space provided. 5. Summarize your plan on a flip chart. Provide enough detail to allow other groups to implement your process. Activity 4.2: Gathering Information 25 Use this page to write down your process for gathering information. 26 Activity 4.2: Gathering Information Exercise 2: Summarizing Information In this activity, you will summarize the information that you have obtained from the Ferguson and Bardell, Inc. case study. After reviewing your summary, you will develop three questions that you want to ask a long-term employee of Ferguson and Bardell, Inc. The instructor will portray the long-term employee. Each group will have an opportunity to ask the employee questions. ! Summarize information for the case study (25 minutes) 1. Use the space provided on the following page to summarize the information that the group determines is pertinent to the business challenge and vision statement. 2. Determine what additional information you might need that is not present in the case study. 3. Develop three questions for the Ferguson and Bardell, Inc. employee. 4. After 15 minutes, the instructor will ask each group to ask one of their questions. 5. Add the results of the interview to the information that you have already summarized on the following page. Finally, identify a spokesperson to present the group’s results to the class. Be ready to explain how you determined what was the most pertinent information. Activity 4.2: Gathering Information 27 Category (business, application, information, technology) Perspective Summary information THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK . Activity 4. 2: Gathering Information 25 Use this page to write down your process for gathering information. 26 Activity 4. 2: Gathering Information. Activities 2.3, 3.3, and 4. 1. Time to complete this activity: 35 minutes followed by a 15-minute class discussion 24 Activity 4. 2: Gathering Information