BCS Practitioner Certificate in Business Analysis Practice 5.1 BAPv5 Exam Practice Test

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Question 1

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?



Answer : A, B, C

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.


Question 2

IT services has commissioned a new desktop PC replacement project that has been funded and running for three months, with a fully-engaged sponsor and programme manager appointed

The head of IT services has not been involved beyond the initial project start-up interviews and has not attended any of the project meetings

What position on the power interest and does the head of IT services currently occupy?



Answer : A

A power/interest grid is a tool for analysing stakeholders based on their level of power or influence and their level of interest or involvement in the organisation or project. The grid has four quadrants: high power, high interest; high power, low interest; low power, high interest; and low power, low interest. The position of a stakeholder on the grid can help to determine the appropriate strategy for engaging and communicating with them. Therefore, option A is the correct answer, as the head of IT services currently occupies the high power, low interest quadrant. This means that he has the authority or ability to affect the outcome of the project, but he does not show much concern or involvement in it. Option B is not correct, as some power and influence and some interest would place the head of IT services in the middle of the grid, which is not a distinct quadrant. Option C is not correct, as high power or influence and high interest would place the head of IT services in the top right quadrant, which is not consistent with his lack of involvement. Option D is not correct, as low power and influence but high interest would place the head of IT services in the bottom right quadrant, which is not consistent with his authority.


Question 3

How would a business analyst use a Target Operating Model (TOM) in gap analysis?



Answer : A

A Target Operating Model (TOM) is a high-level description of how an organisation wants to operate in order to achieve its vision and strategy. It defines what an organisation does, how it does it, who does it, where it does it and why it does it. A TOM can be used in gap analysis to compare the desired situation with the existing situation and identify what needs to change to achieve the desired situation. Therefore, option A is the correct answer, as using a TOM in gap analysis would help to assess how far the organisation's current activities support the desired situation. By comparing the current activities with those defined in the TOM, a gap analysis would help to identify what activities are missing, redundant or inefficient in achieving the desired situation. Option B is not a correct answer, as using a TOM in gap analysis would not help to identify how the organisation should structure itself to support the desired situation. The structure of an organisation is one aspect of a TOM, but not its main purpose. A TOM defines what an organisation does more than how it organises itself. Option C is not a correct answer, as using a TOM in gap analysis would not help to determine which activities in the desired situation are not financially feasible. The financial feasibility of an activity is not determined by comparing it with a TOM, but by conducting a cost-benefit analysis or a business case. Option D is not a correct answer, as using a TOM in gap analysis would not help to establish which stakeholder views will not be reflected in the desired situation. The stakeholder views are not determined by comparing them with a TOM, but by conducting a stakeholder analysis or a CATWOE analysis.


Question 4

A business analyst is reviewing the stakeholder management strategy for a high profile Human Resources (HR) project Following an organisational restructure, Harvey's role has changed from Director of Operations to Director of HR and he has inherited sponsorship of the project Harvey was previously involved in the project, but had little interest because his focus was on the Operational Projects that he sponsored.

Which of the following sets of stakeholder management strategies represent appropriate approaches for Harvey; firstly, for when the project started and secondly now that his role has changed?



Answer : C

A stakeholder management strategy is a plan for how to engage and communicate with stakeholders based on their level of interest and influence in the organisation or project. A stakeholder management strategy can vary depending on the stakeholder's position on the power/interest grid, which has four quadrants: high power, high interest; high power, low interest; low power, high interest; and low power, low interest. Therefore, option C is the correct answer, as it represents appropriate stakeholder management strategies for Harvey based on his position on the grid before and after his role change. Watch means to monitor the stakeholder's level of interest and influence and keep them informed of relevant developments. This is suitable for when Harvey was in the low power, low interest quadrant, as he had little authority or concern over the project. Constant active management means to involve the stakeholder closely in the project and seek their input and feedback regularly. This is suitable for when Harvey moved to the high power, high interest quadrant, as he became the sponsor and owner of the project. Option A is not a correct answer, as keep informed means to provide the stakeholder with sufficient information and updates to maintain their interest and support. This is more suitable for when Harvey was in the low power, high interest quadrant, not the low power, low interest quadrant. Option B is not a correct answer, as ignore means to disregard the stakeholder's views and needs and exclude them from communication. This is not a good strategy for any stakeholder, especially one who has some power or influence over the project. Option D is not a correct answer, as constant active management means to involve the stakeholder closely in the project and seek their input and feedback regularly. This is more suitable for when Harvey was in the high power, high interest quadrant, not the low power, low interest quadrant.


Question 5

TeamClothing sells clothes through its shops based around the country If a customer in a shop cannot find the item they wish to buy. a sales assistant can order it for them online and when it arrives, the customer can then collect the item from the shop

Customers may also order directly from TeamClothing's website Orders from the website are usually delivered to the customer's home address Online customers also automatically receive a monthly catalogue from the firm, which lists current offers

Three events are of particular interest:

Shop sales assistants ordering items for a customer online Customers ordering through the website Sending a monthly catalogue to website customers

How would these events be classified'?



Answer : B

An event is something that happens or occurs within or outside an organisation or project that triggers or affects an activity or process. Events can be classified into three types: external, internal and time-based. Therefore, option B is the correct answer, as it correctly classifies the events of interest in this scenario according to their types. External events are events that originate from outside the organisation or project and are beyond its control or influence. An example of an external event in this scenario is customers ordering through the website, as it originates from outside TeamClothing and is beyond its control or influence. There are two external events in this scenario. Internal events are events that originate from within the organisation or project and are under its control or influence. An example of an internal event in this scenario is shop sales assistants ordering items for a customer online, as it originates from within TeamClothing and is under its control or influence. There are no internal events in this scenario. Time-based events are events that occur at regular intervals or on specific dates or times. An example of a time-based event in this scenario is sending a monthly catalogue to website customers, as it occurs at regular intervals (every month). There is one time-based event in this scenario.


Question 6

A business case features a management summary, from which the below extract is taken:

'The new approach will incur significant investment in terms of software licenses and annual maintenance fees, which will not be negotiable until year four of the proposal. We will research competing suppliers in the marketplace at end of year three, the supplier will, therefore, be likely to otter a reduced price for year five and beyond. However, we are convinced that the selected option is the right one. It will give us a competitive edge as a result of improved management information, in addition to the boost it will give to our image with our established customers."

Which categories of costs and benefits are described in this extract*?



Answer : D

A business case is a formal written proposal that details the costs and benefits of a proposed business change or solution. It helps to justify and secure the approval and funding for a proposed business change or solution. Costs and benefits can be classified into two types: tangible and intangible. Therefore, option D is the correct answer, as it identifies which categories of costs and benefits are described in this extract respectively. Intangible costs are costs that have no physical existence and cannot be measured or quantified easily by human senses. Examples of intangible costs are reputation, image, morale etc. An example of intangible costs in this extract is significant investment in terms of software licenses and annual maintenance fees, which will not be negotiable until year four of the proposal, as it has no physical existence and cannot be measured or quantified easily by human senses. Tangible benefits are benefits that have physical existence and can be measured or quantified easily by human senses. Examples of tangible benefits are revenue, profit, market share etc. An example of tangible benefits in this extract is improved management information, in addition to the boost it will give to our image with our established customers, as it has physical existence and can be measured or quantified easily by human senses. Option A is not a correct answer, as it does not identify which categories of costs and benefits are described in this extract respectively. Tangible costs are costs that have physical existence and can be measured or quantified easily by human senses. Examples of tangible costs are equipment, materials, labour etc. There is no example of tangible costs in this extract. Intangible benefits are benefits that have no physical existence and cannot be measured or quantified easily by human senses. Examples of intangible benefits are satisfaction, loyalty, quality etc. There is no example of intangible benefits in this extract (although image could be considered as an intangible benefit). Option B is not a correct answer, as it does not identify which categories of costs and benefits are described in this extract respectively. Tangible benefits are benefits that have physical existence and can be measured or quantified easily by human senses. Examples of tangible benefits are revenue, profit, market share etc. An example of tangible benefits in this extract is improved management information, in addition to the boost it will give to our image with our established customers, as it has physical existence and can be measured or quantified easily by human senses. Intangible costs are costs that have no physical existence and cannot be measured or quantified easily by human senses. Examples of intangible costs are reputation, image, morale etc. An example of intangible costs in this extract is significant investment in terms of software licenses and annual maintenance fees, which will not be negotiable until year four of the proposal, as it has no physical existence and cannot be measured or quantified easily by human senses. Option C is not a correct answer, as it does not identify any category of cost or benefit that has been described in this extract.


Question 7

The board of Jackson Holding wants to save money on its purchases by introducing a new procurements system Before preparing the business case, what activity would it be BEST to undertake?



Answer : A

A Feasibility Study is an assessment of whether a proposed business change or solution is viable and worthwhile. It helps to evaluate the benefits, costs, risks and constraints of different options and recommend the best one for further development. Therefore, option A is the correct answer, as preparing a Feasibility Study would be the best activity to undertake before preparing a business case for introducing a new procurement system. A Feasibility Study would help to identify and compare different procurement solutions based on their technical, operational, economic, legal and social feasibility. It would also help to estimate their expected benefits, costs, risks and impacts on the organisation and its stakeholders. A Feasibility Study would provide a solid foundation for preparing a business case that justifies why a particular procurement solution should be selected and implemented. Option B is not a correct answer, as selecting a procurement solution would not be an appropriate activity to undertake before preparing a business case. Selecting a procurement solution would require conducting a Feasibility Study first to evaluate different options and choose the best one based on objective criteria. Selecting a procurement solution without conducting a Feasibility Study would risk choosing an unsuitable or suboptimal solution that may not meet the organisation's needs or objectives. Option C is not a correct answer, as approving the budget for the new system would not be an appropriate activity to undertake before preparing a business case. Approving the budget for the new system would require preparing a business case first to estimate the costs and benefits of different options and justify why a particular option should be funded and implemented. Approving the budget for the new system without preparing a business case would risk allocating insufficient or excessive funds that may not reflect the value or feasibility of the solution. Option D is not a correct answer, as preparing a Benefits Realisation Report would not be an appropriate activity to undertake before preparing a business case. Preparing a Benefits Realisation Report would require implementing the new system first to measure and evaluate its actual benefits against its expected benefits. Preparing a Benefits Realisation Report without preparing a business case would risk implementing an ineffective or inefficient solution that may not deliver the desired outcomes or benefits.


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