Strategic Question Preparation

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Preparation of questions ahead of a conversation gives the other person time to think and be more focused. Sending questions in advance is brain-friendly as it allows for thoughtful responses. Setting a specific number of questions to be discussed in a limited time frame helps in utilizing time efficiently and makes the conversation more structured. The rule of three in asking questions creates a sense of control and guidance for the conversation, allowing the other person to trust your lead.

They say an analysis is only as good as the question that was asked, so for our 2024 International Women's Day Episode, Julie, Moe, and Val were joined by Taylor Buonocore Guthrie to discuss how to ask better questions. Every analyst is naturally curious, but the thoughtfulness that Taylor puts into what type of questions to ask, how to ask them, and when to ask them to get the optimal response is truly an art form. Instead of drilling the five-whys the next time you are gathering context with a business partner for an analysis or conducting discovery interviews, try prompting them with, "Can you walk me through your thinking?" or "What else is important for me to know?" to gather the right context and clarify your understanding. We can't wait for you to hear all of the practical advice and suggestions for things you might consider incorporating into your repertoire! For complete show notes, including links to items mentioned in this episode and a transcript of the show, visit the show page.