A method for eliciting goals, needs and the path towards them
When looking at different aspects of analytics and, more specifically, of business analytics, I stumbled upon requirements engineering. I realized that it is something we do very frequently - normally at a fairly low level - without even knowing it.
It is about defining something we want to achieve (potluck event with friends), including roles (friends who can cook and who can't), activities (invite people, coordinate what they'll prepare), outcomes (food, drinks and fun games), tools (online list vs. post-it on the fridge) and the milestones (consult partner if he/she likes the idea before inviting).
I found this great series of online lectures by Birgit Penzenstadler surrounding the topic of requirements engineering in the software development space. Among the wonderfully detailed and cristal clear lectures, there is one session on the Generic Process Model, which anyone can use in life or on any job. I hope you will enjoy this as much as I did.