What is your method for gathering business knowledge in areas where you are not a subject matter expert?

Remember to include methods beyond asking your customers directly for the knowledge you seek. Product Owners should be able to dig in and analyze the workflows and artifacts of a business quickly with limited supervision and use this knowledge to develop an effective backlog. Demonstrating your ability to leverage multiple options will help to convince your interviewer you will be able to come up to speed quickly if offered the open position.

I use several methods to gather business knowledge. I typically start by meeting with the management of the business I will be working with. I ask for a high-level overview and gain permission to meet with their staff as needed. I review any available documentation, and I gain access to the relevant systems they currently use so that I can review them.

I also shadow end-users in the roles the product I am responsible for will serve. I think it is imperative to understand their perspective so I can help design solutions that will be the best fit for their needs and working style. All of these methods work to establish strong working relationships and trust with the stakeholders that can be leveraged on an ongoing basis as new business knowledge needs arise.