Varun's response indicates a lack of relevant experience in gathering complex requirements for a life sciences IT project, which is a significant gap given the context of the question. His mention of "proactive communication" is vague and does not provide any concrete examples or strategies for ensuring stakeholder needs are met. In contrast, the benchmark response outlines a detailed and structured approach to gathering complex requirements, emphasizing stakeholder engagement, collaborative workshops, documentation, prioritization, and continuous communication. Varun should aim to provide specific examples from his experience or, if lacking such experience, discuss how he would approach the situation based on best practices in the industry.