Each activity should have at least one specific deliverable. Providing participants with consistent deliverables keeps them apprised of the business discovery effort's progress as well as involved and interested in the effort. The first activity is to conduct an orientation meeting to explain the business discovery effort. All participants in the business discovery effort including the executive sponsor and business area leadership should attend. Failure to explain and justify business discovery is the greatest reason for resentment and disinterest.
Orientation lays the foundation for the data warehousing project.
It helps manage expectations and introduces the participants. The orientation meeting should take no more than half a day. Interviews provide valuable information and allow relationships to be built. They are a good indicator of potential conflicts and individual concerns. Participants are generally more comfortable talking with one or two people than in a conference room with management and co-workers.