The investigation technique described is known as creating 'Special purpose records'. This method is used when the information required for an analysis does not exist in any current documentation or system. The business analyst designs a specific form, log, or diary sheet and asks business users to record details about their tasks, events, or issues over a defined period. This creates a new, targeted dataset specifically for the investigation, capturing the actual activities performed by the user.

A. Shadowing: This is incorrect because shadowing involves the analyst directly observing a user performing their tasks in real-time, rather than the user self-reporting their activities.

B. Prototyping: This is a technique for developing a model or mock-up of a proposed solution to elicit and validate requirements, not for investigating current tasks.

D. Activity sampling: This technique involves an analyst making observations at random intervals to determine statistically how time is distributed across different activities, not continuous self-logging by the user.

1. Paul

D.

& Cadle

J. (2020). Business Analysis (4th ed.). BCS

The Chartered Institute for IT. In Chapter 5

"Investigating the Business Situation

" the technique is described: "it may be appropriate to ask the business staff to keep a record of specific information for a period of time. This is often done using a specially designed form or diary sheet." (p. 101).

2. Kendall

K. E.

& Kendall

J. E. (2019). Systems Analysis and Design (10th ed.). Pearson. Chapter 4

"Information Gathering: Interactive Methods

" discusses the creation of tailored forms for data collection

which aligns with the principle of special purpose records for understanding business processes.

3. Hoffer

J. A.

Ramesh

V.

& Topi

H. (2016). Modern Systems Analysis and Design (8th ed.). Pearson. Chapter 4

"Identifying and Selecting Systems Development Projects

" discusses various information-gathering techniques. The direct observation techniques (like shadowing and activity sampling) are contrasted with methods that involve analyzing business documents

which would include user-created logs or special purpose records. (pp. 158-161).