Following a list of some of the best elicitation techniques:

• introspection: what would I want/need/desire if I were a user of the proposed system?
• brainstorming: free association and generation of ideas for the proposed system
• Post-It notes and white board: create, modify, group, and rearrange statements of needs and desires
• paper prototypes: construct interfaces and operational scenarios.
• questionnaires: which of the following features do you need/desire?
• observation: watch people performing their work tasks
• open-ended interviews: tell me how you would use the proposed system
• focus groups: please tell us what you would want/need/desire in the proposed system
• operational walkthroughs: development of scenarios by interacting with users (UML)
• demonstrations: how to you like this interface? what should be added/removed/changed?
• protocol analysis: document the tasks users perform and the features they would need in the proposed system
• business case analysis: what features are needed to support the operations of our business?
• JAD (joint application development) sessions: facilitated meetings with users
• Work with the users: it is not always possible, but this technique gives the best result