Ask: "If this report showed X, what would you do differently?" This question forces the stakeholder to think about decisions, not just data. If they cannot answer, the report may not be needed.
Strong answers show a diagnostic approach: asking what decisions the report will support, who the audience is, what actions they would take based on different findings, what data they currently look at, and what questions keep them up at night. Best candidates transform vague requests into clear analytical questions before starting any work.
Foundational analyst skill. Analysts who build what is asked without questioning requirements produce shelfware. Those who diagnose the real need first deliver impactful work. Ask: "Have you ever talked a stakeholder out of a report?"