PMI PMI-PBA PMI Professional in Business Analysis Exam Practice Test

 Moscow analysis is a tool or technique that the business analyst can use with the stakeholders to prioritize the requirements to determine which requirements are approved, deferred, or rejected. Moscow analysis is a method of categorizing requirements into four groups: must-have, should-have, could-have, and won’t-have. Must-have requirements are essential and non-negotiable for the project success. Should-have requirements are important but not critical for the project success. Could-have requirements are desirable but not necessary for the project success. Won’t-have requirements are out of scope or low priority for the current project. Moscow analysis can help to identify the most valuable and feasible requirements that can be delivered within the available time and budget. It can also help to manage stakeholder expectations and resolve conflicts or disagreements on the priority of the requirements. SMART goals is a tool or technique that can be used to define clear and measurable objectives for a project or a process, but it does not help to prioritize the requirements. SMART goals are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. SWOT analysis is a tool or technique that can be used to assess the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of a project or a process, but it does not help to prioritize the requirements. SWOT analysis can help to identify the internal and external factors that affect the project or process performance and quality. Timeboxing analysis is not a standard tool or technique in business analysis, but it may refer to a method of allocating a fixed amount of time for each task or activity in a project or a process, but it does not help to prioritize the requirements. Timeboxing analysis can help to manage time and resources efficiently and effectively. References: PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA)® Examination Content Outline1, page 15; Business Analysis for Practitioners: A Practice Guide2, page 95.

The requirements baseline is a set of approved and prioritized requirements that are used as the basis for the development scope. The requirements baseline defines what the project or program will deliver and what the stakeholders expect to receive. The requirements baseline also serves as a reference point for managing changes and measuring progress. References: PMI Guide to Business Analysis, Chapter 9, Section 9.3.1; PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA)® Examination Content Outline, Domain IV: Traceability and Monitoring, Task 1.

 A survey is a technique to collect information, opinions, or feedback from a large number of stakeholders, such as customers or users. A survey can help to measure the current level of customer satisfaction and loyalty, and to identify the needs and expectations of the customers for the tool. A survey can provide a basis for analyzing vendor products by comparing their features, benefits, and costs with the customer requirements. The other options are not suitable for this purpose. A storyboard is a technique to visualize the user interface or user experience of a solution using sketches or mockups. A project charter is a document that authorizes the project and defines its objectives, scope, and stakeholders. A business case is a document that provides the justification for initiating a project based on its expected benefits, costs, and risks. References: PMI-PBA® Examination Content Outline, page 11; PMI-PBA® Reference List, page 1, BABOK® Guide v3, page 50.

The business analyst could use the expected vs. actual results technique to iteratively validate the solution. This technique involves comparing the expected results or outcomes of the solution with the actual results or outcomes that are observed or measured after the solution is implemented. This technique helps to verify that the solution meets the requirements and the acceptance criteria, and to identify any gaps, issues, or defects that need to be resolved or corrected. References: PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA)® Examination Content Outline1, page 25; Business Analysis for Practitioners: A Practice Guide2, page 141.

A business requirement is a statement that describes a business need or problem that must be addressed by the project. It should be stated in terms of what the business wants to achieve or improve, not how it will be done. The requirement in the question states a solution (an API) rather than a business need (synchronizing name and address data). It should be revised to focus on the business need and avoid specifying a solution. References: = PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA)® Examination Content Outline (2019), page 7; Business Analysis for Practitioners: A Practice Guide (2015), page 35.

 A survey is a technique that involves collecting information from a large number of people by asking them questions and analyzing the results. Surveys are often used to measure the satisfaction, opinions, preferences, or attitudes of customers, employees, or other stakeholders. Surveys can be conducted through various methods, such as mail, online, phone, or in-person. Surveys are a suitable technique for gathering information from employees regarding their satisfaction with the solution because:

Surveys can reach a large and geographically dispersed population of employees across the country.

Surveys can allow employees to provide anonymous and honest feedback without being influenced by peer pressure or group dynamics.

Surveys can use standardized and quantifiable questions that can be easily analyzed and compared.

Surveys can be cost-effective and time-efficient compared to other techniques that require more resources and coordination.

References: = PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA) ® Examination Content Outline, page 19.

Decomposition model is a technique that involves breaking down a complex entity into smaller and more manageable components. Decomposition model can help the business analyst to estimate the effort associated with project requirements by providing a hierarchical structure of the requirements, showing the dependencies and relationships among them, and allowing for more accurate and detailed estimation at lower levels. References: = PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA)® Examination Content Outline (2019), page 13; Business Analysis for Practitioners: A Practice Guide (2015), page 71.

The requirements approval process is documented as a measure of effective decision making that allows the business analyst to finalize the process for requirement approval. The requirements approval process defines the roles, responsibilities, criteria, methods, and tools for approving the requirements and ensuring that they meet the stakeholder needs and expectations. The requirements approval process should be agreed upon by the stakeholders and the business analyst before the requirements are elicited, analyzed, and validated. The requirements verification process is not a measure of effective decision making, but a technique for ensuring that the requirements are complete, correct, consistent, and clear. The requirements elicitation process is not a measure of effective decision making, but a set of activities for discovering, gathering, and understanding the stakeholder needs and expectations. The requirements validation process is not a measure of effective decision making, but a technique for confirming that the requirements align with the business objectives and deliver value to the stakeholders. References: Business Analysis for Practitioners: A Practice Guide, page 113-114 1; PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA)® Examination Content Outline, page 17 2.

 This situation could have been avoided if a change control process for requirements and their statuses was followed. A change control process is a set of procedures and tools that helps the business analyst to manage changes to the requirements, and to document and communicate the impact and approval of the changes. A change control process also helps to maintain the traceability and quality of the requirements, and to ensure that they are aligned with the business needs and the project scope. References: PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA)® Examination Content Outline1, page 23; Business Analysis for Practitioners: A Practice Guide2, page 131.

 The type of requirements that do not trace to a business need are out-of-scope requirements. Out-of-scope requirements are the requirements that are not related to the project scope, objectives, or deliverables, and that do not contribute to the solution of the business problem or opportunity. Out-of-scope requirements are usually identified and excluded during the requirements analysis and traceability processes, to avoid wasting time, resources, and effort on unnecessary or irrelevant features or functions. Out-of-scope requirements can be caused by various factors, such as unclear or changing business needs, conflicting or unrealistic stakeholder expectations, poor communication or elicitation techniques, or lack of validation or verification methods. References: PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA)® Examination Content Outline1, page 18; Business Analysis for Practitioners: A Practice Guide2, page 92.

One of the main purposes for creating a requirements traceability matrix is to track how requirements can be connected to the solution. A requirements traceability matrix is a tool that links the requirements to the project scope, objectives, deliverables, and test cases. A requirements traceability matrix can help the business analyst to track the origin, allocation, dependencies, and status of the requirements throughout the project lifecycle, and to ensure that the solution meets the requirements and the stakeholder expectations. A requirements traceability matrix can also help to manage changes, resolve issues, and measure the quality and performance of the solution. A requirements traceability matrix can be created using various formats, such as a table, a spreadsheet, or a database12. References: PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA)® Examination Content Outline3, page 18; Business Analysis for Practitioners: A Practice Guide4, page 92.

 A configuration management system is a capability that will help ensure that the product conforms to approved requirements, changes can be documented, and the status of each change can be reported. A configuration management system is a system that consists of the processes, procedures, tools, and databases that are used to manage and control the configuration items of the project. A configuration item is any component of the project that has a defined and approved version, such as a requirement, a deliverable, a document, a model, a test case, etc. A configuration management system can help the business analyst and the project team to record, track, update, and maintain the configuration items throughout the project lifecycle, and to ensure their consistency, integrity, and traceability. A configuration management system can also help to handle changes, resolve issues, and measure the quality and performance of the project. References: PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA)® Examination Content Outline1, page 24; Business Analysis for Practitioners: A Practice Guide2, page 133.

 Solution scope is the set of features and functions that define the boundaries of the solution and align with the business requirements. Solution scope describes what will be included in and excluded from the new system, and helps to manage stakeholder expectations and avoid scope creep. The business analyst has defined the solution scope by working with project team members to define what will be included in and excluded from the new system. The other options are not correct. Solution design is the process of creating a detailed specification of how the solution will meet the requirements. Business requirements are the higher-level needs or goals of the organization or stakeholders that justify the project. Business case is a document that provides the justification for initiating a project based on its expected benefits, costs, and risks. References: PMI-PBA® Examination Content Outline, page 13; PMI-PBA® Reference List, page 1, BABOK® Guide v3, page 39.

 Brainstorming is a technique that allows the collection of the maximum number of ideas on a subject from a group without considering the validity or practicality of the ideas. The purpose of brainstorming is to generate as many ideas as possible in a short time, without judging or evaluating them. The ideas can be later prioritized, categorized, or refined by using other techniques. Interviewing is a technique that involves asking questions to individuals or groups to elicit information, opinions, or feedback. Prototyping is a technique that involves creating a model or a representation of a solution or a part of it to validate requirements, assumptions, or concepts. Surveying is a technique that involves collecting data from a large number of respondents using predefined questions and formats. References: Business Analysis for Practitioners: A Practice Guide, page 71-72; PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA)® Examination Content Outline, page 15.

 A use case is a technique that describes how an actor interacts with a system to achieve a goal or perform a task. A use case consists of a main scenario and possible alternative scenarios that capture the normal, exceptional, and error flows of events. A use case can be used as a source for building tests of end-to-end business processes across business functions and systems, as it provides a comprehensive and realistic view of the expected behavior and outcomes of the solution. A use case can also help to verify and validate the functional requirements and acceptance criteria of the solution. References: PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA)® Examination Content Outline1, page 20; Business Analysis for Practitioners: A Practice Guide2, page 99.

 Plurality is the decision role that was used by the project team to decide which requirements will be included in the next release. Plurality means that the option with the most votes is selected, even if it does not have a majority (more than 50%) of the votes. Plurality is a decision role that can be used when there are more than two options and a quick decision is needed. References: PMI Guide to Business Analysis, Chapter 4, Section 4.3.2.4; PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA)® Examination Content Outline, Domain II: Planning, Task 3.

The business analyst should use a traceability matrix to help communicate the status of the requirements. A traceability matrix is a document that shows the relationships and dependencies among the requirements, and tracks their changes, verification, and validation throughout the project life cycle. A traceability matrix can help the business analyst and the project manager to monitor the progress and quality of the requirements, and to identify any gaps, issues, or risks. References: PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA)® Examination Content Outline1, page 20; Business Analysis for Practitioners: A Practice Guide2, page 100.

 The project life cycle is a key factor that drives the selection of business analyst activities to be included in the project. The project life cycle is the sequence of phases or stages that the project goes through from initiation to closure. The project life cycle can be selected based on various factors, such as the nature, complexity, size, and uncertainty of the project, the stakeholder preferences, the organizational culture, and the industry standards. The project life cycle can influence the approach that the business analyst and the project team use to plan, execute, monitor, and control the project, and to deliver the product or service. The project life cycle can also affect the type, level, and timing of the business analysis activities, such as elicitation, analysis, documentation, validation, and management of the requirements. References: PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA)® Examination Content Outline1, page 15; Business Analysis for Practitioners: A Practice Guide2, page 84.

The requirements sign-off is a process that involves obtaining the formal approval and acceptance of the requirements from the customer and other stakeholders. The requirements sign-off confirms that the requirements are clear, complete, correct, and consistent, and that they meet the customer’s needs and expectations. The requirements sign-off also establishes a baseline for the development and testing of the solution, and serves as a reference point for managing changes and resolving issues. The business analyst should first facilitate the requirements sign-off with the customer before the developers start development, to ensure that the requirements are agreed upon and validated by all parties, and to avoid rework, delays, and conflicts later in the project. References: PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA)® Examination Content Outline1, page 18; Business Analysis for Practitioners: A Practice Guide2, page 92.

 According to the PMI Guide to Business Analysis, planning the requirements change process involves defining how requirement changes will be identified, analyzed, approved, and communicated throughout the project life cycle. Communication is a key aspect of managing requirement changes, as it ensures that all stakeholders are aware of the status, impact, and rationale of the changes, and that they can provide their feedback and input. How requirement changes will impact the requirements baseline, how they will be implemented, and how they will impact the validation plan are all important considerations, but they are not part of planning the requirements change process. They are part of executing, monitoring, and controlling the requirements change process. References: PMI Guide to Business Analysis, page 286-287.

Requirements are statements of the needs, expectations, or conditions that must be met by a solution. Requirements should be clear, complete, consistent, and testable, so that they can be understood, verified, and validated by the stakeholders. If the requirements are not ready for peer review, it means that they have not met these quality criteria, and that they need to be refined or revised. One possible cause of this situation is that the requirements do not provide all of the information needed to define the work, such as the scope, objectives, deliverables, assumptions, constraints, risks, dependencies, etc. This would make it difficult for the peer reviewers to evaluate the feasibility, accuracy, and alignment of the requirements with the business needs and goals. The other options are not likely to cause this problem. Some requirements having not yet been discussed in a work group session is not a reason to delay the peer review, as long as the requirements have been elicited from the relevant sources and documented properly. The requirements’ reference codes not tracing to the attribute numbers in the work breakdown structure is a minor issue that can be easily fixed by updating the reference codes or the work breakdown structure. The requirements documents having not yet received sign-off from the sponsor is not a prerequisite for peer review, as sign-off is usually obtained after the peer review and validation process. References: PMI-PBA® Examination Content Outline, page 13; PMI-PBA® Reference List, page 1, BABOK® Guide v3, page 39.

 An organizational chart is a tool that helps to visualize the structure and hierarchy of an organization, as well as the roles and responsibilities of its members. It can also show the relationships and interactions between different units, departments, or teams within the organization. An organizational chart can help the business analyst to identify the missing project stakeholders by showing who are involved in or affected by the online ordering system, such as the purchasing department. A business case is a tool that helps to justify the need and value of a project or initiative, as well as the costs and benefits associated with it. It does not provide information about the project stakeholders. A business analysis plan is a tool that helps to define the scope, approach, activities, deliverables, and schedule of the business analysis work. It does not provide information about the project stakeholders. A business analyst communication plan is a tool that helps to determine the communication needs, methods, frequency, and channels for the business analysis work. It does not provide information about the project stakeholders. References: PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA)® Examination Content Outline1, PMI Guide to Business Analysis2, Business Analysis for Practitioners: A Practice Guide3, Organizational Chart - What is an Organization Chart? Definition, Types, Tips, Tutorial, and Examples

Customer metrics on the existing system are an input into solution evaluation and decision making in this context, as they provide a baseline for measuring the performance and value of the new solution. The business analyst can use these metrics to compare the existing system with the new solution and assess how well the new solution meets the customer needs and expectations. A cost-benefit analysis of the existing system is not an input into solution evaluation and decision making, as it does not reflect the customer perspective or satisfaction with the system. Technical readiness of the development team is not an input into solution evaluation and decision making, as it does not relate to the quality or effectiveness of the new solution. A new solution design specification is not an input into solution evaluation and decision making, as it describes how the new solution will be built, not how it will perform or deliver value. References: Business Analysis for Practitioners: A Practice Guide, page 176-177; PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA)® Examination Content Outline, page 20.

According to the PMI Professional in Business Analysis objectives and content, a prototype is a tool that can be used to elicit, analyze, and validate requirements. A prototype is a representation of a solution that allows stakeholders to interact with it and provide feedback. By developing a prototype, the business analyst can gather functional requirements from the end user and ensure that the new interface supports their core business processes. A prototype can also help to reduce ambiguity, resolve conflicts, and increase stakeholder satisfaction. References:

PMI Professional in Business Analysis objectives and content: PMI-PBA Certification

PMI Professional in Business Analysis reference list: PBA Reference List

PMI Professional in Business Analysis study guide: PMI.com

 One of the first steps of a project is to identify the stakeholders and their interests. Stakeholders are the individuals or groups who have an interest or influence in the project or its outcome. Identifying the stakeholders and their interests helps to understand their needs, expectations, roles, responsibilities, and communication preferences. It also helps to manage their involvement and engagement throughout the project life cycle, and to address any potential conflicts or issues that may arise. The other options are not the first steps of a project. Identifying the classes of users and their requirements is part of the requirements elicitation process, which occurs after the project initiation phase. Aligning the sponsor expectations along the project goals is part of the project charter development, which is also done after the project initiation phase. Evaluating the sources for requirements and prioritizing them is part of the requirements analysis process, which occurs after the requirements elicitation process. References: PMI-PBA® Examination Content Outline, page 10; PMI-PBA® Reference List, page 1, BABOK® Guide v3, page 50; 3.

Managing solution scope is the task of ensuring that the solution meets the agreed-upon requirements and delivers the expected value to the stakeholders. Managing solution scope involves analyzing the impact of any changes to the scope, assessing the feasibility and risks of the changes, and obtaining approval from the stakeholders before implementing the changes. Managing solution scope can help the business analyst to identify the impacts, dependencies, or risks associated with the addition to the scope. References: = PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA)® Examination Content Outline (2019), page 14; Business Analysis for Practitioners: A Practice Guide (2015), page 83.

The customer and the business analyst are collaborating in the development of a solution scope, which is a description of the boundaries, assumptions, and deliverables of the solution that will address the business need. It is important for the customer to spend the time required to provide, clarify, and elaborate requirements, because requirements are the basis for defining the solution scope. Requirements are the capabilities, features, functions, and qualities that the solution must have or meet to satisfy the customer and the stakeholders. By providing, clarifying, and elaborating requirements, the customer can help the business analyst to understand the problem, the needs, the expectations, and the value proposition of the solution. This will enable the business analyst to define a solution scope that is aligned with the customer’s vision and goals, and that is feasible, viable, and desirable. References: = PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA)® Examination Content Outline, page 15.

 A change control process is a set of procedures that defines how changes to the requirements are identified, assessed, approved, implemented, and communicated. A change control process helps to ensure that changes are aligned with the business objectives, do not introduce unnecessary risks, and do not adversely affect the quality of the solution. A change control process also helps to manage stakeholder expectations and avoid scope creep. References: PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA)® Examination Content Outline1, page 13; Business Analysis for Practitioners: A Practice Guide2, page 77.

The business analyst should follow the change control process to handle the new regulatory mandate that affects the project. The change control process is a set of procedures that defines how changes to the requirements or the project scope are identified, analyzed, approved, and implemented. The change control process helps to ensure that changes are aligned with the business need, the project objectives, and the stakeholder expectations. References: PMI Guide to Business Analysis, Chapter 9, Section 9.4.1; PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA)® Examination Content Outline, Domain IV: Traceability and Monitoring, Task 2.

When a business analyst uses subject matter experts to define roles and identify influencers, the project artifact that is created or updated is the stakeholder register. The stakeholder register is a document that identifies and records information about the stakeholders who are involved in or affected by the project or the solution. The stakeholder register can include information such as stakeholder names, roles, responsibilities, interests, expectations, influence levels, communication preferences, etc. The business analyst can use subject matter experts as sources of information or advice to help define roles and identify influencers among the stakeholders. Subject matter experts are individuals who have specialized knowledge or expertise in a specific domain or area related to the project or the solution. A RACI matrix is not a project artifact that is created or updated when a business analyst uses subject matter experts to define roles and identify influencers. A RACI matrix is a tool that defines and clarifies the roles and responsibilities of each stakeholder for each task or deliverable in the project. A RACI matrix can use four categories: Responsible (who performs the task), Accountable (who approves or oversees the task), Consulted (who provides input or feedback for the task), and Informed (who is notified of the task outcome). A SWOT analysis is not a project artifact that is created or updated when a business analyst uses subject matter experts to define roles and identify influencers. A SWOT analysis is a technique that involves identifying and evaluating the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of an organization, a project, or a solution. A SWOT analysis can help to assess the internal and external factors that may affect the performance or value of an organization, a project, or a solution. A stakeholder management plan is not a project artifact that is created or updated when a business analyst uses subject matter experts to define roles and identify influencers. A stakeholder management plan is a document that describes how the stakeholders will be engaged, communicated with, managed, and satisfied throughout the project lifecycle. A stakeholder management plan can include strategies, actions, tools, and metrics for stakeholder management. References: Business Analysis for Practitioners: A Practice Guide 1, page 34-35; PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA)® Examination Content Outline 2, page 14-15.

Problem tracking is a technique that helps the business analyst to manage and resolve issues identified by stakeholders with requirements. It involves creating a clear and concise record of each issue with its description, impact, priority, data, owner, status, and any other relevant information. It also involves tracking and managing the recorded issues until they are resolved. Problem tracking helps to ensure that issues are not neglected or abandoned, and that they are addressed in a timely and effective manner. Problem tracking also exposes the root causes of issues and helps to prevent recurrence of similar problems in the future. References: = PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA) ® Examination Content Outline, page 19.

 A strategies and goals analysis is a technique that helps to ensure that the projects are aligned with the organization’s vision, mission, values, and strategic objectives. A strategies and goals analysis helps to identify the business problems or opportunities that the projects are intended to address, and to evaluate the expected benefits and outcomes of the projects. A strategies and goals analysis also helps to prioritize and select the projects that have the highest potential to improve the company’s performance and profitability. References: PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA)® Examination Content Outline1, page 10; Business Analysis for Practitioners: A Practice Guide2, page 40.

The person identified in the RACI matrix as accountable for deployment approval is the one who should be contacted by the business analyst to review the testing results and get approval to proceed with deployment. The RACI matrix defines who is Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, and Informed for each task or deliverable in a project or a process. The accountable person has the authority and accountability to approve or reject the work. The tester identified in the testing strategy is not necessarily the one who can approve deployment, as they may only be responsible for conducting testing. The project manager identified in the project charter may not have the authority to approve deployment, as they may only be responsible for managing the project. The project sponsor identified in the scope document may not be involved in deployment approval, as they may only be informed of the project progress and outcomes.

According to the PMI Professional in Business Analysis objectives and content, a critical design review is a formal review that occurs after the completion of the design phase of a project. The purpose of a critical design review is to verify that the design specification meets the requirements and that the solution is feasible, cost-effective, and acceptable to the customer. A critical design review can help to establish an approved requirements baseline, which is a set of agreed-upon requirements that serves as a reference for further development and testing activities. References:

PMI Professional in Business Analysis objectives and content: PMI-PBA Certification

PMI Professional in Business Analysis reference list: PBA Reference List

PMI Professional in Business Analysis study guide: PMI.com

The next step that the business analyst should take after incorporating all the relevant feedback from stakeholders in the business analysis plan is to obtain approval on the plan. The business analysis plan is a document that describes how the business analysis activities will be performed, managed, and controlled throughout the project. It should be approved by the key stakeholders before the business analyst starts documenting or implementing the requirements. The approval process ensures that the stakeholders agree on the scope, approach, deliverables, roles, and responsibilities of the business analysis work. Starting documenting requirements without obtaining approval on the plan is not advisable, as it may lead to confusion, rework, or conflicts among the stakeholders. Storing the document for safe keeping is not a productive step, as it does not communicate or validate the plan with the stakeholders. Starting implementing the project without obtaining approval on the plan is not feasible, as it may result in wasted resources, missed expectations, or failed outcomes. References: Business Analysis for Practitioners: A Practice Guide 1, page 29-30; PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA)® Examination Content Outline 2, page 13.

 A capability table is a tool that lists the current capabilities of an application and compares them with the desired capabilities identified by the end users. A capability table can help the business analyst to analyze this information and determine project scope by showing the gaps between the current and future states of the application, and prioritizing the new features that will address those gaps. A capability table can also help to define the high-level requirements and objectives of the project. References: = PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA)® Examination Content Outline (2019), page 11; Business Analysis for Practitioners: A Practice Guide (2015), page 67.

 A force-field analysis is a tool that helps to identify and analyze the factors or forces that support or oppose a change or an initiative. It can help to facilitate the decision-making process when stakeholders do not agree on the value of an initiative by showing the pros and cons of the initiative, as well as the relative strength and importance of each factor. A force-field analysis can also help to develop strategies to increase the supporting forces or decrease the opposing forces, or both, to achieve the desired outcome. A PEST analysis is a tool that helps to examine the external factors that affect an organization or an initiative, such as political, economic, social, and technological factors. It does not help to facilitate the decision-making process when stakeholders do not agree on the value of an initiative, as it does not show the internal factors or the balance of forces. A feasibility analysis is a tool that helps to evaluate the viability and suitability of a project or an initiative, as well as the risks and benefits associated with it. It does not help to facilitate the decision-making process when stakeholders do not agree on the value of an initiative, as it does not show the supporting and opposing forces. A gap analysis is a tool that helps to compare the current state and the desired state of a process, a product, or a service, and identify the gaps or differences between them. It does not help to facilitate the decision-making process when stakeholders do not agree on the value of an initiative, as it does not show the factors or forces that influence the initiative. References: PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA)® Examination Content Outline1, PMI Guide to Business Analysis2, Business Analysis for Practitioners: A Practice Guide3, What is Force Field Analysis: Definition and Example

Before beginning requirements elicitation, the business analyst should document how the relevant systems interact. This is an important activity that helps to understand the current state of the systems, their interfaces, dependencies, and data flows. It also helps to identify the gaps, issues, and opportunities for improvement in the systems. Documenting how the systems interact can be done using various techniques, such as system context diagrams, data flow diagrams, or interface analysis12.

Preparing the requirements traceability matrix, defining how the solution will be evaluated, and drafting a high-level data model are not activities that should be initiated before beginning requirements elicitation. These activities are part of the analysis, validation, and management of the requirements, and they should be done after the requirements have been elicited12.

References: 1 PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA)® Examination Content Outline, page 10-11; 2 Business Analysis for Practitioners: A Practice Guide, page 131-132

 Engaging all stakeholders early in the requirements gathering phase is a good practice to ensure stakeholder satisfaction with the enhancement. By involving the stakeholders in the elicitation process, the business analyst can understand their needs, expectations, preferences, and constraints. By defining the acceptance criteria with the stakeholders, the business analyst can establish a clear and measurable definition of what constitutes a successful solution. Engaging all stakeholders early can also help to build trust, collaboration, and buy-in for the change. Requesting that the project manager identify all affected project stakeholders is not sufficient to ensure stakeholder satisfaction, as it does not involve direct communication with the stakeholders. Providing all signed-off project documentation to the stakeholders for information purposes only is not effective, as it does not allow for feedback or validation from the stakeholders. Soliciting feedback and adding requirements to the project backlog is not advisable, as it can lead to scope creep, rework, and delays. References: PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA)® Examination Content Outline1, page 11; Business Analysis for Practitioners: A Practice Guide2, page 66.

A cost-benefit analysis is a tool or technique that compares the expected costs and benefits of a project or an investment. It helps to determine the value of a business case by estimating the net present value (NPV) of the project, which is the difference between the present value of the benefits and the present value of the costs. A positive NPV indicates that the project is worth pursuing, while a negative NPV suggests that the project should be rejected. A cost-benefit analysis can also calculate the return on investment (ROI) of the project, which is the ratio of the net benefits to the net costs. A higher ROI implies a higher value of the business case. A cost-benefit analysis can also consider the qualitative aspects of the project, such as the risks, assumptions, constraints, and opportunities12.

A variance analysis is a tool or technique that compares the actual performance of a project with the planned or expected performance. It helps to identify and explain the deviations or differences between the actual and planned results, such as costs, schedule, scope, quality, and benefits. A variance analysis can also provide corrective actions or recommendations to improve the project performance and align it with the business case13.

A SWOT analysis is a tool or technique that evaluates the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of a project, a business, or a situation. It helps to identify the internal and external factors that can affect the success or failure of the project or the business. A SWOT analysis can also provide strategies or actions to leverage the strengths and opportunities, and to overcome or mitigate the weaknesses and threats14.

A feasibility analysis is a tool or technique that assesses the viability and practicality of a project or a solution. It helps to determine if the project or the solution can be implemented within the available resources, time, budget, and technology. A feasibility analysis can also evaluate the potential benefits and risks of the project or the solution, and compare it with other alternatives15.

References: 1 PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA)® Examination Content Outline, page 10-11; 2 Business Analysis for Practitioners: A Practice Guide, page 123-124; 3 Business Analysis for Practitioners: A Practice Guide, page 125-126; 4 Business Analysis for Practitioners: A Practice Guide, page 127-128; 5 Business Analysis for Practitioners: A Practice Guide, page 129-130

 Agile is an approach to enable developers and product owners to be in constant communication so that changes or issues that occur during development are exposed and discussed as they develop. Agile emphasizes iterative and incremental delivery of value, collaboration, feedback, and adaptation. Agile methods include Scrum, Kanban, XP, and others. References: = PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA)® Examination Content Outline (2019), page 14; Business Analysis for Practitioners: A Practice Guide (2015), page 17.

 The business analyst would use brainstorming to identify stakeholders. Brainstorming is a technique that involves generating ideas or solutions through a group discussion or a creative thinking process. Brainstorming can help the business analyst to identify potential stakeholders who have an interest, influence, or impact on the project or the solution, and to solicit their input and feedback on the project requirements and expectations. References: PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA)® Examination Content Outline1, page 9; Business Analysis for Practitioners: A Practice Guide2, page 38.

Business rules are statements that define or constrain some aspect of the business, such as policies, standards, procedures, regulations, or constraints. Business rules can be uncovered by asking about the reasons for choosing a particular course of action when modeling processes or analyzing tasks. By asking why a certain decision is made, what criteria are used, what conditions are applied, or what consequences are expected, the business analyst can elicit the business rules that govern the behavior or outcome of the process or task. Asking about tasks that overlap with each other, work that may be performed out of sequence, or task transitions that hinder organizational performance may help to identify issues or opportunities for improvement in the process or task, but they may not reveal the business rules that underlie them. References: PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA)® Examination Content Outline1, page 15; Business Analysis for Practitioners: A Practice Guide2, page 95.

Context diagrams are a technique that can be used to determine if requirements align to the product’s objectives. Context diagrams are a technique that involves creating a visual representation of the product and its interactions with its environment, such as other systems, processes, or stakeholders. Context diagrams can help to define and clarify the scope, boundaries, and interfaces of the product. Context diagrams can also help to verify that the requirements are consistent and compatible with the product’s objectives and value proposition. Five Whys is not a technique that can be used to determine if requirements align to the product’s objectives. Five Whys is a technique that involves asking a series of why questions to identify the root cause of a problem or an effect. Five Whys can help to understand and resolve the underlying issues or needs that drive the requirements, but it does not directly compare or evaluate the requirements against the product’s objectives. Activity network diagrams are not a technique that can be used to determine if requirements align to the product’s objectives. Activity network diagrams are a tool that involves creating a graphical representation of the sequence and dependencies of the activities or tasks in a project or a process. Activity network diagrams can help to plan and manage the schedule, resources, and risks of a project or a process, but they do not depict or assess the requirements or the product’s objectives. Business use cases are not a technique that can be used to determine if requirements align to the product’s objectives. Business use cases are a tool that involves describing and documenting how a stakeholder interacts with a system or a solution to achieve a specific goal or outcome. Business use cases can help to specify and communicate the functionality and behavior of a system or a solution, but they do not measure or validate the requirements or the product’s objectives. References: Business Analysis for Practitioners: A Practice Guide 1, page 78-79; PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA)® Examination Content Outline 2, page 16.

A requirements traceability matrix (RTM) is a tool that helps to track the relationship between the requirements and the product features, test cases, and other artifacts. It can be used to ensure that all requirements have been met by verifying that each requirement has a corresponding feature, test case, and acceptance criterion. A RTM can also help to identify the risks associated with dependent requirements, but that is not its primary purpose. A RTM does not define a convention to map the requirements to their sources, but rather uses an existing convention or standard. A RTM does not address the responsibility owner for each requirement, but rather shows the status and priority of each requirement. References: PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA)® Examination Content Outline1, PMI Guide to Business Analysis2, Business Analysis for Practitioners: A Practice Guide

 According to the PMI Professional in Business Analysis objectives and content, the business analyst should recommend the option with the highest functionality score and the lowest cost score. In this case, option A, 1, Custom solution, has the highest functionality score of 10 and the lowest cost score of 1. Therefore, it should be recommended. References:

PMI Professional in Business Analysis objectives and content: PMI-PBA Certification

PMI Professional in Business Analysis reference list: PBA Reference List

PMI Professional in Business Analysis study guide: PMI.com

Verification is the process of ensuring that the requirements meet a quality checklist and conform to the specified standards, rules, and criteria. Verification can help the business analyst to ensure that all requirements meet a quality checklist before the development and testing phase by checking the completeness, correctness, clarity, consistency, and testability of each requirement. Verification can also help to identify and resolve any defects, errors, or ambiguities in the requirements. References: = PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA)® Examination Content Outline (2019), page 10; Business Analysis for Practitioners: A Practice Guide (2015), page 40.

According to the PMI Guide to Business Analysis, a data dictionary is a tool that defines and describes the data elements and their attributes in a consistent and standardized way. A data dictionary can help to minimize the risk of misunderstanding or misinterpreting data items mentioned in the requirements documents, as it provides a common language and reference for all stakeholders involved in the project. A data dictionary can also help to ensure the quality, accuracy, and completeness of the data requirements. Planning a peer review, asking for a formal acceptance, or holding a workshop are other ways to improve the clarity and understanding of the requirements specification, but they do not address the specific issue of defining and describing the data items. References: PMI Guide to Business Analysis, page 169-170.

Interface analysis is a technique that involves identifying and describing how a system or product interacts with other systems, products, or users. Interface analysis can help the business analyst to analyze the complex, in-house processes that are being converted into the new system by defining the inputs, outputs, functions, features, behaviors, and performance of each interface. Interface analysis can also help to ensure compatibility, interoperability, usability, and security of each interface. References: = PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA)® Examination Content Outline (2019), page 12; Business Analysis for Practitioners: A Practice Guide (2015), page 69.

 Value-ranking criteria are a set of factors or measures that are used to evaluate and prioritize the value of backlog items. Value-ranking criteria can include business objectives, benefits, costs, risks, dependencies, urgency, etc. The stakeholders follow the value-ranking criteria to determine the value of backlog items based on their alignment with the project vision and goals. The stakeholders can also use techniques such as MoSCoW analysis or weighted ranking matrix to apply the value-ranking criteria. References: = PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA)® Examination Content Outline (2019), page 11; Business Analysis for Practitioners: A Practice Guide (2015), page 66.

According to the PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA)® Examination Content Outline, one of the tasks under the domain of Traceability and Monitoring is to “Track the status, priority, and disposition of requirements and issues, and communicate updates as necessary” (Task 1). This implies that the business analyst is responsible for ensuring that the requirements are delivered as stated and that any changes or issues are communicated to the relevant stakeholders. One of the techniques that can be used to perform this task is the traceability matrix, which is a table that shows the relationships between requirements and other project artifacts, such as design documents, test cases, or deliverables. A traceability matrix can help the business analyst to verify that all the requirements are covered by the test cases and that the test output matches the expected results. Therefore, the technique that the business analyst could have used to ensure that requirements were delivered as stated is the traceability matrix.

To reduce the amount of time and effort needed to create a product specification for a project, the business analyst plans to reuse requirements. Requirements are statements that describe the needs, expectations, or capabilities of the stakeholders or the solution. Requirements can be reused from previous or similar projects, as long as they are relevant, consistent, and compatible with the current project context and objectives. Reusing requirements can help to save time and effort, avoid duplication or redundancy, leverage best practices, and ensure quality and compliance. Quantitative analysis is not something that the business analyst plans to reuse to reduce the amount of time and effort needed to create a product specification for a project. Quantitative analysis is a technique that involves using numerical data and methods to measure, compare, or evaluate the feasibility, value, or impact of a solution or an alternative. Quantitative analysis can be performed for different purposes and at different stages of the project, but it does not provide requirements for the product specification. Risk assessments are not something that the business analyst plans to reuse to reduce the amount of time and effort needed to create a product specification for a project. Risk assessments are techniques that involve identifying and analyzing potential threats or uncertainties that may affect the project or the solution. Risk assessments can help to prioritize, mitigate, or monitor risks, but they do not provide requirements for the product specification. Qualitative analysis is not something that the business analyst plans to reuse to reduce the amount of time and effort needed to create a product specification for a project. Qualitative analysis is a technique that involves using descriptive data and methods to understand, interpret, or evaluate the characteristics, behaviors, or perceptions of the stakeholders or the solution. Qualitative analysis can be performed for different purposes and at different stages of the project, but it does not provide requirements for the product specification. References: Business Analysis for Practitioners: A Practice Guide 1, page 114-115; PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA)® Examination Content Outline 2, page 17-18.

Validating the requirements is a key activity to reduce the risk of rework, especially for a project with a tight timeline and a lean budget. Validating the requirements means ensuring that they are aligned with the business needs, objectives, and expectations of the stakeholders, and that they are clear, complete, consistent, feasible, and testable. Validating the requirements can help the business analyst and the project team to identify and resolve any errors, gaps, conflicts, or ambiguities in the requirements before they are implemented, and to avoid any unnecessary changes or rework later in the project lifecycle. References: PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA)® Examination Content Outline1, page 20; Business Analysis for Practitioners: A Practice Guide2, page 100.

 Interviewing is a technique to elicit information, opinions, or feedback from stakeholders by asking them questions and listening to their responses. Interviewing can be used to clarify or validate requirements, resolve conflicts or misunderstandings, build rapport and trust, and explore complex or sensitive issues. A good time to consider using the interviewing method is when there are communication challenges among stakeholders, such as different perspectives, expectations, or interests. Interviewing can help to overcome these challenges by providing a direct and personal communication channel, allowing the interviewer to tailor the questions and responses to each stakeholder, and facilitating a deeper understanding of the stakeholder’s needs and concerns. The other options are not good times to consider using the interviewing method. Attempting to obtain sign-off on requirements from stakeholders is not an elicitation activity, but a validation activity that requires formal documentation and approval. There is not enough time to gather requirements from many different sources is a constraint that limits the use of interviewing, as it is a time-consuming and resource-intensive technique that can only involve a few stakeholders at a time. Assembling a requirements traceability matrix is not an elicitation activity, but an analysis activity that involves linking the requirements to their sources and deliverables using a tool or document. References: PMI-PBA® Examination Content Outline, page 10; PMI-PBA® Reference List, page 1, BABOK® Guide v3, page 50.

The change management plan outlines the process for managing changes to requirements, ensuring that any revisions are controlled and documented throughout the project lifecycle. References: PMI-PBA® Examination Content Outline, Business Analysis for Practitioners: A Practice Guide.

 Interviewing stakeholders to clearly define the problem is the most important action to contribute to the success of the initial stage of the project. Interviewing is an elicitation technique that involves asking questions to stakeholders to gather information about their needs, expectations, issues, and goals. Defining the problem clearly helps to establish the business need, the project scope, and the solution approach. References: PMI Guide to Business Analysis, Chapter 6, Section 6.3.2.5; PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA)® Examination Content Outline, Domain I: Needs Assessment, Task 2.

 According to the PMI Professional in Business Analysis objectives and content, a prototype is a tool that can be used to demonstrate the features and functionality of a product or solution in an iterative manner. A prototype can help to elicit, validate, and verify requirements, as well as to obtain feedback and approval from stakeholders. A prototype can also help to reduce risks, errors, and rework, and to increase customer satisfaction and quality. A proof-of-concept model is a type of prototype that is used to test the feasibility and viability of a product or solution. A proof-of-concept model can help to show the benefits and value of the product or solution, and to identify any technical or business challenges or constraints. References:

PMI Professional in Business Analysis objectives and content: PMI-PBA Certification

PMI Professional in Business Analysis reference list: PBA Reference List

PMI Professional in Business Analysis study guide: Study.com

Requirements baseline is the approved version of the requirements document that serves as a reference point for further changes. Requirements can be changed after they are baselined through a defined process that involves submitting a change request, analyzing the impact of the change, obtaining approval from the stakeholders, updating the requirements document, and communicating the change to the project team and other affected parties. Requirements can be changed at any stage of the project life cycle as long as they follow the defined process. References: = PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA)® Examination Content Outline (2019), page 10; Business Analysis for Practitioners: A Practice Guide (2015), page 40.

A requirements traceability matrix is a tool that links the requirements to their sources, objectives, and deliverables. It helps to track the status, changes, and verification of each requirement throughout the project life cycle. If the requirements traceability matrix was not updated with the change, it could result in a key requirement being missed or overlooked in the implementation. The other options are not likely to cause this problem. The requirements management plan is a document that describes how the requirements will be elicited, analyzed, documented, validated, and managed. The scope management plan is a document that describes how the project scope will be defined, controlled, and verified. The schedule management plan is a document that describes how the project schedule will be developed, monitored, and controlled. References: PMI-PBA® Examination Content Outline, page 13; PMI-PBA® Reference List, page 1, BABOK® Guide v3, page 39; 6.

According to the PMI Guide to Business Analysis, the requirements baseline is a version of the requirements that has been formally reviewed and agreed upon by the stakeholders, and that serves as a basis for further development and validation activities. The requirements baseline is ready for sign-off when the requirements are clear, consistent, complete, and validated. These are the four characteristics of good requirements that ensure that they are understandable, unambiguous, accurate, and feasible. Complete means that the requirements cover all the necessary aspects of the business problem or opportunity, and that they do not have any gaps or omissions. Clear means that the requirements are expressed in simple and precise language, and that they avoid any jargon or ambiguity. Consistent means that the requirements do not have any conflicts or contradictions with each other or with the business objectives. Validated means that the requirements have been checked and confirmed by the stakeholders, and that they meet their needs and expectations. References: PMI Guide to Business Analysis, page 183-184.