Decode/summarize notes

DOE-HDBK-1103-96

Step 5: Decode/summarize notes. It is important to summarize your

interviewing notes into a logical and succinct conclusion and to identify

new issues and additional questions.

Team discussions should be facilitated to prepare interview questions. The team

should divide interview questions among team members, determining which team

member will interview whom, and whether the interview would be best handled in

person or over the phone. While interviews are being conducted, the facilitator

should stay in the meeting room to keep it quiet for people to compile their notes.

The coordinator schedules the interviews and creates a chart on the whiteboard

in the working room showing who is interviewing whom, where, and at what

time(s). When all team members are finished interviewing and compiling notes,

a brief discussion should be facilitated for each interviewer to share the results

with the rest of the team.

The co-facilitator may also unobtrusively accompany a team member to observe

an interview and provide constructive feedback to the interviewer (after the

interview) on the effectiveness of that person's interviewing skills.

Orient the Team. The facilitator introduces the TTNA process to the team

4.7.1

members. The intent of introducing this process to SMEs prior to beginning the

actual TTNA process is two-fold. First, it familiarizes the team members with the

terms and big-picture of the TTNA process. Second, it covers some team-

dynamic ground rules that will make the process more effective and efficient.

The orientation should be performed prior to conducting the actual TTNA.

Step 1: Clarify Request to Determine Problem. This step discovers the team

4.7.2

members' perception of the problem/request. The facilitator leads the team to

consensus on the problem, determining if the problem is worth resolving, and

identifying expected outcomes resulting from the TTNA process. The facilitator

leads the group to consensus using one or more of the "optional" methods by

asking questions such as: