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Stakeholder interview

As explained in Effective Data Analysis

A stakeholder interview is a structured conversation that elicits domain context, rationale, expectations, or evidence from people affected by analytical work.

A stakeholder interview is a structured conversation for eliciting domain context, rationale, expected outcomes, and evidence from people affected by analytical work. Stakeholders can contribute field resources and lessons from hands-on experience, while the conversation creates a bidirectional flow of information that supports better decisions. section 3.1.1

Build and iteratively refine a standard question list covering:

  • General context: why the project matters and why it is timely. section 3.1.1
  • Background information: which colleagues, publications, podcasts, talks, or other sources informed the project. section 3.1.1
  • Expected outcomes: what stakeholders expect or hypothesize will happen, and what success or failure would be worth. section 3.1.1

Clarifying a project request

Before pursuing an initiative, ask why it is important now, what evidence informed it, what outcomes are expected, and how success or failure would affect decisions. section 3.1.1

How Effective Data Analysis covers it

How deep it goes
Develops question categories and recommends iterating a standard list, but stops short of prescribing a complete interview protocol.
Examples
Uses questions about project timing, informing sources, expected effects, and the value of success or failure.
What it assumes
Assumes access to stakeholders and teaches where to start through a reusable, iteratively improved question list.
What you can do after
Evaluate project rationale, expected outcomes, and information needs through contextual questions.
How it connects
Connects domain context with hypotheses, expected outcomes, information sources, and decision-making.
Cover of Effective Data Analysis
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Related concepts

This explainer was generated by Manning's knowledge graph from the text of Effective Data Analysis. The section links point to the parts of the book it draws on.