What is one common technique used for gathering software requirements from stakeholders?

Gathering software requirements from stakeholders is crucial in understanding what the end users and clients need from the software product. User observation stands out as a highly effective technique for this purpose because it allows developers and analysts to see how actual users interact with a system or perform their tasks. By observing users in their natural environment, stakeholders can identify requirements that may not be explicitly stated or may be overlooked in discussions. This technique helps capture context, workflows, and pain points directly from user experiences, leading to more accurate and relevant software requirements.

The other options, such as code reviews, performance testing, and data mining, serve different purposes within the software development process. Code reviews focus on ensuring code quality and adherence to standards, whereas performance testing evaluates how a system operates under various conditions. Data mining involves analyzing large sets of data to find patterns and information but is not directly tied to collecting user requirements. Thus, user observation is the most direct and effective method for understanding the needs and expectations of stakeholders regarding software development.