What is a JAD session?
A JAD (Joint Application Design) session uses a specific methodology originated in the 1970s by IBM. It consists of a workshop where knowledge workers and IT specialists meet, sometimes for several days, to define and review the requirements for the system. The facilitator controls the flow of ideas and discussion for each agenda item, and reserves a portion of time at the end to review and categorize those ideas. Longer JAD sessions can take the form of a series of workshops, each centered around a single agenda item. JAD Sessions are called Requirements Workshops by the IIBA, and are an excellent method of quickly determining requirements. An example of a JAD session would be bank employees from both the IT group and from the online banking line of business meeting to develop the solution requirements for some new investment functionality planned for the online banking system. By contrast, a Focus Group is a method to elicit ideas and attitudes about a specific product, service or op
