RE: Tape Recording End Users & SMEs

["Dawn Marie Oliver (Write Stuff)" <a-dawnmo -at- microsoft -dot- com>]

Anthony Markatos wrote:
> 1.) Do you tape record your interviews with end users and/or SMEs?  If so,

> why?  If not, why?
>
	Yes, I have started doing so (I currently only interview SMEs).  I
do 	
	so because my engineers talk so fast, and when they get on a roll,
it
	is difficult to slow them down, even with necessary questions.

	It also frees me from the chore of detailed note-taking--I am easily
able
	to jot down questions to ask, then ask them, rather than fear I am
missing
	crucial information that I just didn't get down on paper.

> 2.)  Is tape recording frequently utilized?  (I have been reviewing
postings 
> to this listserv for some time and do not recall a single posting on this 
> subject.  Also, a check of the archives yielded only one archived
posting.)

	I have reviewed one of my sets of tapes (a three-hour meeting on
routing
	architecture for internet routers) 4 times now.  Each time, I come
with a 
	higher level of knowledge, so the meeting makes more sense.

	I operate the recorder myself.  I haven't had any problems with my
current
	SMEs and recording.

	I have also considered getting a Polaroid camera to capture those
impressive
	whiteboard diagrams, rather than trying to transcribe them -- often
there are
	2 or 3 per meeting. 

	Hope this helps,

		Dawn-Marie 
		a-dawnmo -at- microsoft -dot- com

		<all standard disclaimers apply...and these are really MY
opinions>