DEFINITION
What is Field Research?
Field research is part of the project discovery phase. Field research involves a range of well-defined, although variable, methods: informal interviews, direct observation, collective discussions, analyses of personal documents produced within the group, and self-analysis. Although the method generally is characterized as qualitative research, it may (and often does) include quantitative dimensions.
What Will we do in Field Research?
In Field research, we conduct our survey by observing using a checklist and interviewing based on a prepared questionnaire. Information gathered through these processes leads to the AS-IS picture that shows us the company's current state. Then we research the industry's standards to get a clearer vision of a successful firm in the same industry; this picture will be called the TO-BE picture. The action plan statement is directly based on comparing the AS-IS with the TO-BE picture that provides some tangible guidelines. Note that the action plan in this research will not just be software-oriented.