BCS Business Analysis BAPV5 Questions & Answers

• Question 1:

  Which TWO of the following descriptions apply to a Business Activity Model (BAM)'?

  A. Multiple BAMs COULD be created to reflect different perspectives.

  B. The owner should ALWAYS choose the final BAM

  C. NORMALLY a consensus BAM will be produced

  D. The activities are MOST LIKELY to be shown in boxes

  E. Dependencies between the activities are NOT shown

  Correct Answer: AD

  A Business Activity Model (BAM) is a technique for modelling business activities within an organisation or project at a high level of abstraction. It helps to understand what an organisation does, how it does it, who does it, where it does it and why it does it. Therefore, options A and D are correct answers, as they apply to a BAM. Option A applies to a BAM, as multiple BAMs could be created to reflect different perspectives of different stakeholder groups within or outside the organisation or project. A BAM is not a single or definitive representation of the business activities, but a subjective and contextual view that depends on the purpose and scope of the analysis. Option D applies to a BAM, as the activities are most likely to be shown in boxes in a BAM. A BAM is typically represented as a diagram that consists of boxes and arrows. The boxes represent the high level activities that the organisation performs or delivers, and the arrows represent the flow or sequence of the activities. Option B does not apply to a BAM, as the owner should not always choose the final BAM. The owner is one of the stakeholder groups that may have a perspective on the business activities, but not the only or ultimate one. The final BAM should be agreed by all relevant stakeholder groups based on their needs and expectations. Option C does not apply to a BAM, as normally a consensus BAM will not be produced. A consensus BAM is a BAM that reflects a common or shared perspective of all stakeholder groups within or outside the organisation or project. A consensus BAM is not realistic or desirable, as different stakeholder groups may have different or conflicting views on the business activities. Option E does not apply to a BAM, as dependencies between the activities are shown in a BAM. Dependencies between the activities are the relationships or connections that indicate how one activity affects or influences another activity. Dependencies between the activities are shown by the arrows in a BAM diagram. References: BCS Practitioner Certificate in BAP Specimen, page 43.

• Question 2:

  The business case for project XCON has been signed off and money has been allocated. The business analyst on the project wants to understand who the stakeholders are. how much authority they have, and how much involvement they want in the project so that a stakeholder management plan can be created.

  Which technique SHOULD the business analyst use to gain this understanding?

  A. CATWOE

  B. Power / Interest Grid.

  C. RACI chart

  D. Resource audit

  Correct Answer: B

  A Power / Interest Grid is a technique for analysing and managing stakeholders based on their level of power and interest in an organisation or project. It helps to identify who are the key stakeholders and how they should be engaged and communicated with. Therefore, option B is the correct answer, as a Power / Interest Grid would help the business analyst to gain an understanding of who the stakeholders are, how much authority they have, and how much involvement they want in the project so that a stakeholder management plan can be created. A Power / Interest Grid would help to classify stakeholders into four categories based on their level of power and interest: high power, high interest; high power, low interest; low power, high interest; low power, low interest. A Power / Interest Grid would help to determine different stakeholder management strategies for each category: active and constant management; keep satisfied; keep informed; watch. Option A is not a correct answer, as CATWOE is not a technique for analysing and managing stakeholders based on their level of power and interest. CATWOE is a technique for exploring stakeholder business perspectives by identifying six elements: Customer, Actor, Transformation, Worldview, Owner and Environment. It helps to understand how different stakeholders perceive a business situation or problem and what they expect from a solution. Option C is not a correct answer, as RACI chart is not a technique for analysing and managing stakeholders based on their level of power and interest. RACI chart is a technique for defining roles and responsibilities of stakeholders in relation to tasks or activities within an organisation or project. It helps to identify who are Responsible, Accountable, Consulted or Informed for each task or activity. Option D is not a correct answer, as resource audit is not a technique for analysing and managing stakeholders based on their level of power and interest. Resource audit is a technique for identifying and evaluating the resources that an organisation has or needs to achieve its objectives. It helps to assess the availability and quality of an organisation's resources, such as human, physical, financial and intangible resources. References: BCS Practitioner Certificate in BAP Specimen, page 39.

• Question 3:

  Elizabenth is an external consultant who is helping a company streamline its process. She has not worked for this company before.

  The managing director (MD) has explained that some of the line managers feel that this work is unnecessary, whilst others are concerned that their staff will be made redundant as a result of her recommendations. He is keen for Elizabeth to get an understanding Elizabeth with an of organization staff and for the involve line manager in formulating potential improvements. The MD has provided Elizabeth with an organizational chart, detailing the business areas she needs to investigate, as well as the names of the line managers involved.

  To understand the concerns of operational staff and line managers, which pair of techniques SHOULD she use first?

  A. Document analysis and mind maps.

  B. Observation and scenario analysis

  C. Business activity modeling and fishbone diagrams.

  D. Interviews and rich pictures.

  Correct Answer: D

  The pair of techniques that Elizabeth should use first to understand the concerns of operational staff and line managers are interviews and rich pictures. Interviews are a way of eliciting information from stakeholders by asking them open-ended questions and listening to their responses. Interviews can help Elizabeth to explore the views, opinions, needs, and expectations of the staff and managers regarding the process improvement project. Rich pictures are a way of capturing complex situations in a visual form by using symbols, icons, cartoons, or diagrams. Rich pictures can help Elizabeth to illustrate the current problems and issues faced by the staff and managers, as well as their emotions and relationships. Option D is the correct answer.

• Question 4:

  Efua is planning to use Design Thinking to improve the m-store customer experience She has asked you to suggest good techniques to help with the different stages.

  Looking at the list of techniques and stages below which THREE combinations SHOULD be of benefit to Efua?

  A. Prototype: Scenario Analysis

  B. Empathise Customer Journey Map

  C. Evaluate Mind Mapping

  D. Create Personas

  E. Define Current user needs or problems.

  Correct Answer: BDE

  Design Thinking is an approach for solving complex problems by focusing on human needs and desires. It involves five stages: empathise, define, ideate, prototype and test. Therefore, options B, D and E are correct answers, as they suggest good techniques to help with the different stages of Design Thinking. Empathise is the stage where the problem is explored from the perspective of the users and their emotions, motivations and pain points are understood. A good technique to help with this stage is Customer Journey Map, which is a visual representation of the steps and emotions that a user goes through when interacting with a product or service. It helps to identify the pain points and opportunities for improvement in the user experience. Create is the stage where the users are represented by creating personas, which are fictional characters that embody the characteristics, goals and needs of a typical user group. Personas help to empathise with the users and design solutions that suit their preferences and expectations. Define is the stage where the problem is clearly defined and articulated based on the insights gained from the empathise stage. A good technique to help with this stage is Current user needs or problems, which is a statement that summarises what the users need or want to achieve and what prevents them from doing so. It helps to focus on the core problem and set the direction for ideation. Option A is not a correct answer, as Prototype is not a stage of Design Thinking, but a technique that can be used in the Prototype stage. Prototype is the stage where the ideas are turned into tangible and testable prototypes that can be used to demonstrate and evaluate the solutions. A good technique to help with this stage is Scenario Analysis, which is a technique that explores how different scenarios or situations could affect the outcomes of the solutions. It helps to test the feasibility and desirability of the prototypes. Option C is not a correct answer, as Evaluate is not a stage of Design Thinking, but a technique that can be used in the Test stage. Test is the stage where the prototypes are tested with real users and feedback is collected and analysed to refine and improve the solutions. A good technique to help with this stage is Mind Mapping, which is a technique that organises and visualises information in a hierarchical and associative way. It helps to capture and structure feedback and identify patterns and insights. References: BCS Practitioner Certificate in BAP Specimen, page 28.

• Question 5:

  A company produces kitchens to order. Customers specify the design of the kitchen by using a computer-aided design tool, provided on the company's website. The tool allows customers to select products, such as cabinets and cookers, and place them into a floor plan of the kitchen that they have specified.

  Once the customer confirms the design, an order is placed and the customer is given a planned installation date for the kitchen. The company orders the raw materials for the kitchen and the kitchen is built by its skilled carpenters The customer can track the progress of the build on the Internet. If the kitchen Is likely to be delivered later than originally promised, a control action is taken to bring it back on schedule

  A Business Activity Model (BAM) developed for the company has 'sell bespoke kitchens' as its doing activity.

  Which of the following activities would be directly linked by a logical dependency arrow to or from this doing activity?

  A. Track build

  B. Define carpentry skills

  C. Determine range of products.

  D. Take control action

  Correct Answer: C

  A logical dependency arrow on a BAM shows that one activity depends on another activity for its completion or initiation. In this question, the doing activity of `sell bespoke kitchens' depends on the planning activity of `determine range of

  products', as the customers need to select products from a predefined range when they design their kitchens. Therefore, option C is the correct answer.

  References:

  Types of Events: The Ultimate Guide with Examples | Social Tables Business events overview - Finance and Operations | Dynamics 365

• Question 6:

  The innovation center of accompany has created a new reporting tool. The senior management initially supported its introduction into the business; however. End users in one business area are unwilling to adopt the new tool, as they perceive that it is unnecessary.

  One of the end users in this business area has been very vocal and has been rallying support from others through a corporate social media tool. End users In other business are also beginning to question whether they should adopt the tool and raising this issue with their managers.

  The sponsor has fully supported the decision to go ahead with the new loot, but senior management is now questioning his decision, due to comments from the operational staff

  How would the end users be classified on a power/interest grid?

  A. High interest, low power

  B. Some interest, high power

  C. High interest, some power.

  D. Low interest, some power

  Correct Answer: A

  The end users are classified as high interest, low power on a power/interest grid. This is because they are directly affected by the new reporting tool and have a strong preference for not using it, but they do not have much authority or

  influence to change the project decision or outcome. Option A is the correct answer.

  References:

  How To Manage Stakeholders With a Power Interest Grid | Indeed.com UK Stakeholder Analysis using the Power Interest Grid - ProjectManagement.com

• Question 7:

  The following planning activity has been identified in a consensus BAM for a company that makes clothes:

  'P4 - Define marketing strategy'

  Which of the following is an enabling activity linked to this planning activity?

  A. Monitor sales.

  B. Define sales targets

  C. Advertise clothes

  D. Sell clothes

  Correct Answer: B

  An enabling activity is an activity that supports or facilitates another activity within a business activity model. It helps to ensure that another activity can be performed or delivered effectively and efficiently. Therefore, option B is the correct answer, as it is an enabling activity linked to this planning activity. Define sales targets is an enabling activity linked to this planning activity, as it supports or facilitates defining marketing strategy. It helps to ensure that marketing strategy can be aligned with sales objectives and outcomes. Option A is not a correct answer, as it is not an enabling activity linked to this planning activity, but a monitoring and control activity. Monitor sales is a monitoring and control activity that measures or evaluates another activity within a business activity model. It helps to ensure that another activity meets quality and performance standards and criteria. Option C is not a correct answer, as it is not an enabling activity linked to this planning activity, but a doing activity. Advertise clothes is a doing activity that produces or delivers value or satisfaction for customers within a business activity model. It helps to achieve customer demand and satisfaction for products or services. Option D is not a correct answer, as it is not an enabling activity linked to this planning activity, but a doing activity. Sell clothes is a doing activity that produces or delivers value or satisfaction for customers within a business activity model. It helps to achieve customer demand and satisfaction for products or services. References: BCS Practitioner Certificate in BAP Specimen, page 40.

• Question 8:

  A business analyst is reviewing the stakeholder management strategy for a project seeking to implement a new IT system to monitor the effectiveness of social work interventions. Three stakeholders have been identified.

  1.

  Head of Monitoring and Evaluation is the project sponsor

  2.

  The monitoring and evaluation officer working in the Head of Monitoring and Evaluation's team who is eager to get the project implemented as it will transform his role 3 The financial accountant assigned to the project to monitor the financial benefits of the new system This role is essential to the project, but he isn't interested in the detail.

  The analyst has identified stakeholder management strategies for two of the three stakeholders 'active and constant management' and 'keep onside'

  Based on the information presented in the scenario, which further strategy is required?

  A. Keep satisfied

  B. Watch

  C. Ignore

  D. Keep informed

  Correct Answer: A

  A stakeholder management strategy is a plan for engaging and communicating with stakeholders based on their level of power and interest in an organisation or project. It helps to ensure that stakeholders are appropriately involved and informed throughout the organisation's or project's lifecycle. Therefore, option A is the correct answer, as keep satisfied is the further strategy that is required for one of the three stakeholders in this scenario. Keep satisfied is the strategy for managing stakeholders who have high power but low interest in an organisation or project. It involves meeting their needs and expectations without over-communicating or over-involving them. The stakeholder who requires this strategy in this scenario is the financial accountant assigned to the project to monitor the financial benefits of the new system. This stakeholder has high power, as he is essential to the project and can influence its outcome. However, he has low interest, as he is not interested in the detail of the project. Option B is not a correct answer, as watch is not the further strategy that is required for any of the three stakeholders in this scenario. Watch is the strategy for managing stakeholders who have low power and low interest in an organisation or project. It involves monitoring their behaviour and attitude without engaging or communicating with them too much. None of the stakeholders in this scenario have low power and low interest, as they are all involved or affected by the project in some way. Option C is not a correct answer, as ignore is not a valid strategy for managing any stakeholder in an organisation or project. Ignore is the strategy of disregarding or neglecting stakeholders who have no power or interest in an organisation or project. It involves excluding them from any engagement or communication activities. This strategy is not advisable, as it may lead to stakeholder dissatisfaction, resentment or resistance. Option D is not a correct answer, as keep informed is not the further strategy that is required for any of the three stakeholders in this scenario. Keep informed is the strategy for managing stakeholders who have low power but high interest in an organisation or project. It involves providing them with regular and sufficient information and updates without overloading them with details. None of the stakeholders in this scenario have low power but high interest, as they are all involved or affected by the project in some way. References: BCS Practitioner Certificate in BAP Specimen, page 40.

• Question 9:

  AlpmeTrails is a company that specialises in offering tailored walking holidays The company was set up by two people, who each own 50% of the business AlpineTrails books hotels, transport and equipment to create bespoke holidays for AlpineTrails customers.

  An agreement was recently reached with WalkNation. a national walking organisation, for AlpineTrails to provide a number of special holidays for its members These will be branded as WalkNation Holidays AlpineTrails will be responsible for organising the holidays but WalkNation will undertake the marketing and booking of these special holidays for its members

  As well as customers, which THREE stakeholder groups are represented in this scenario?

  A. Owner

  B. Partner

  C. Supplier

  D. Manager.

  E. Competitor

  Correct Answer: ABC

  A stakeholder is any person or group who has an interest in or influence over an organisation or project. Stakeholders can be classified into different categories based on their relationship with the organisation or project. One possible classification is the stakeholder wheel, which identifies six generic stakeholder categories: owner, partner, supplier, customer, regulator and competitor. Therefore, options A, B and C are correct answers, as they represent three stakeholder groups that are involved in the scenario. Owner refers to the person or group who owns or controls the organisation or project. In this case, it is the two people who each own 50% of AlpineTrails. Partner refers to the person or group who collaborates or cooperates with the organisation or project to achieve mutual benefits. In this case, it is WalkNation, who has agreed to work with AlpineTrails to provide special holidays for its members. Supplier refers to the person or group who provides goods or services to the organisation or project. In this case, it is the hotels, transport and equipment providers that AlpineTrails books for its customers. Option D is not a correct answer, as manager is not one of the generic stakeholder categories defined in the stakeholder wheel. Manager refers to the person or group who oversees or coordinates the activities of the organisation or project. In this case, it could be either one of the owners of AlpineTrails or someone appointed by them. Option E is not a correct answer, as competitor is not represented in this scenario. Competitor refers to the person or group who offers similar or alternative goods or services to the same market as the organisation or project. In this case, it could be another company that specialises in offering tailored walking holidays. References: BCS Practitioner Certificate in BAP Specimen, page 18.

• Question 10:

  A large mortgage provider has been running a project to develop an equity release product The project has run into difficulty due to a disagreement between two key stakeholders about whether the product should be developed in house or outsourced to a specialist company.

  The business analyst on the project. George, has been discussing his role in resolving this problem with his manager.

  Which of the following descriptions is George's manager LEAST LIKELY to use in describing his role'?

  A. To understand and challenge the stakeholders

  B. To facilitate the discussion to allow the stakeholders to find a way forward

  C. To negotiate with the stakeholders to reach a resolution

  D. To record the meeting and the resulting decision

  Correct Answer: C

  The role of a business analyst (BA) is to analyse business situations and problems, identify and evaluate potential solutions, and facilitate change within an organisation or project. A BA works with stakeholders at different levels and with different interests and perspectives to understand their needs and expectations and ensure they are met by suitable solutions. Therefore, option C is not likely to be used by George's manager in describing his role as a BA in resolving this problem. To negotiate with stakeholders to reach resolution implies that George has to persuade or compromise with stakeholders to agree on one solution or approach. This is not part of the BA's role, as the BA does not have the authority or responsibility to make decisions or impose solutions on stakeholders. The BA's role is to analyse and evaluate different solutions or approaches objectively and present the findings and recommendations to stakeholders for their consideration and approval. Option A is likely to be used by George's manager in describing his role as a BA in resolving this problem. To understand and challenge the stakeholders means that George has to elicit and validate the stakeholders' views and needs and question their assumptions and rationale. This is part of the BA's role, as the BA has to ensure that the stakeholders' views and needs are clear, consistent, realistic and aligned with the organisation's strategy and objectives. Option B is likely to be used by George's manager in describing his role as a BA in resolving this problem. To facilitate the discussion to allow the stakeholders to find a way forward means that George has to organise and conduct meetings or workshops with stakeholders to explore and evaluate different solutions or approaches and help them reach a consensus or agreement. This is part of the BA's role, as the BA has to enable effective communication and collaboration among stakeholders and help them resolve conflicts or issues. Option D is likely to be used by George's manager in describing his role as a BA in resolving this problem. To record the meeting and the resulting decision means that George has to document and communicate the outcomes and actions of the meeting or workshop with stakeholders and ensure they are understood and accepted by all parties. This is part of the BA's role, as the BA has to ensure that there is a clear and accurate record of what has been discussed and decided by stakeholders and that there is a shared understanding and commitment among them. References: BCS Practitioner Certificate in BAP Specimen, page 36.