What role does a Business Analyst play during the requirements elicitation process?

A Business Analyst plays a critical role during the requirements elicitation process primarily as a facilitator of communication. This involves engaging various stakeholders—including clients, users, and project team members—to gather, clarify, and document their needs and expectations for the project. The Business Analyst ensures that the requirements are captured accurately, reflecting the wants and needs of all parties involved, which is crucial for the success of the project.

This facilitation role is vital as it helps to bridge the gap between technical teams and business stakeholders, ensuring that there is a mutual understanding of project objectives. Through techniques such as interviews, workshops, and surveys, the Business Analyst can draw out valuable insights that inform the development process and ultimately lead to a solution that meets the stakeholders' expectations.

In contrast, managing the project budget or developing technical specifications represents roles that focus on project management or technical documentation rather than on gathering and defining requirements. Conducting performance reviews also relates more to performance evaluation and team management aspects rather than the direct gathering of requirements, which is the core focus of the Business Analyst's responsibilities during elicitation.