BCS PC-BA-FBA-20 BCS Foundation Certificate in Business Analysis V4.0 Exam Practice Test

Answer : A

One of the key principles of business analysis is to present stakeholders with options rather than prescribing a single solution. This approach ensures that stakeholders can make informed decisions based on their priorities and constraints.

Key Principles of Business Analysis:

Present Options Not Solutions: Business analysts should provide multiple viable options, allowing stakeholders to choose the best course of action.

Understand Symptoms: While understanding symptoms is important, it is part of problem analysis, not a key principle.

Focus on Requirements Definition Only: Business analysis encompasses more than just defining requirements; it includes understanding problems, analyzing options, and ensuring value delivery.

Integrate IT Changes: While integrating IT changes is valuable, it is not a universal principle of business analysis.

Evaluation of Each Option:

A . Present options not solutions: This is a fundamental principle of business analysis, emphasizing stakeholder choice. Conclusion: This is correct .

B . Understand the symptoms of the problem being defined: Understanding symptoms is part of problem analysis but not a standalone principle. Conclusion: This is not correct .

C . Focus on requirements definition only: Business analysis involves more than just requirements definition. Conclusion: This is not correct .

D . Integrate IT changes together with project requirements to improve efficiency: While integration is valuable, it is not a universal principle of business analysis. Conclusion: This is not correct .

Answer : C

The power/interest grid is a tool used in stakeholder analysis to categorize stakeholders based on their level of power (influence) and interest in the project. The position of stakeholders on the grid reflects their current status.

Key Considerations:

Where the Stakeholders Will Be After the Proposed Change: The grid represents the current state, not future projections.

Where the Stakeholders Should Be: The grid does not prescribe ideal positions but reflects actual positions.

Where the Stakeholders Actually Are at a Point in Time: The grid is a snapshot of stakeholders' current power and interest levels.

Where the Stakeholders Believe They Should Be: The grid is based on objective analysis, not subjective beliefs.

Evaluation of Each Option:

A . Where the stakeholders will be after the proposed change: The grid reflects the present, not future states. Conclusion: This is not correct .

B . Where the stakeholders should be: The grid does not prescribe ideal positions but reflects actual positions. Conclusion: This is not correct .

C . Where the stakeholders actually are at a point in time: This accurately describes the purpose of the power/interest grid. Conclusion: This is correct .

D . Where the stakeholders believe they should be: The grid is based on objective analysis, not subjective beliefs. Conclusion: This is not correct .

Final Recommendation:

The position of stakeholders on a power/interest grid represents: C . Where the stakeholders actually are at a point in time.

Answer : A

A mission statement defines the organization's purpose and primary objectives, often focusing on what the organization does and how it operates in the present. In contrast, a vision statement outlines the long-term aspirations of the organization---what it aims to become in the future. The mission provided---'To meet or undercut all our competitors' prices'---is focused on price competitiveness, which is a tactical approach rather than a strategic aspiration.

Let's analyze each option:

A . To offer the best value office fitting service: While this aligns somewhat with the mission, it is more of a value proposition or operational goal rather than a visionary statement. It lacks the aspirational and long-term focus that defines a vision.

B . To reduce the cost of office fitting by 5%: This is a specific, measurable objective, but it is too narrow and tactical to qualify as a vision. Visions are broader and not tied to specific metrics.

C . To increase the company's market share: Increasing market share is a strategic goal, but it is still an intermediate step toward achieving something greater. It does not capture the overarching ambition of the company.

D . To be the premier office fitting company: This option reflects a long-term aspiration and aligns with the characteristics of a vision statement. It expresses the desire to achieve leadership and excellence in the industry, which is consistent with the mission of being competitive on price while aiming for a higher status.

According to the BCS Business Analysis Framework , a vision statement should inspire and guide the organization toward its ultimate goal. Therefore, D is the most appropriate choice.

Answer : B, D

To identify the categories of costs and benefits described in the extract, we need to analyze the content carefully:

Extract Analysis:

'New business policies and processes will be introduced, which may temporarily reduce productivity':

This refers to a cost associated with implementing new policies and processes.

Productivity is an intangible factor because it cannot be directly measured in monetary terms.

Category: Intangible costs .

'It will ensure our products remain in the marketplace and be the first to receive compliance certification, which will enhance our reputation as the market leader':

This refers to a benefit related to maintaining market presence, achieving compliance, and enhancing reputation.

Reputation and market leadership are intangible factors because they are qualitative and not directly quantifiable in monetary terms.

Category: Intangible benefits .

Evaluation of Each Option:

A . Tangible costs: Tangible costs are measurable financial expenses (e.g., equipment, labor). The extract does not mention any specific financial costs. Conclusion: This is not relevant .

B . Intangible costs: The temporary reduction in productivity is an intangible cost. Conclusion: This is relevant .

C . Tangible benefits: Tangible benefits are measurable financial gains (e.g., increased revenue). The extract does not mention any specific financial benefits. Conclusion: This is not relevant .

D . Intangible benefits: Enhanced reputation and market leadership are intangible benefits. Conclusion: This is relevant .

E. Irregular costs: Irregular costs refer to one-time or infrequent expenses. The extract does not describe such costs. Conclusion: This is not relevant .

Answer : B

The stakeholder wheel is a framework used to categorize stakeholders based on their relationship to the organization or project. It typically includes categories such as customers, partners, suppliers, regulators, and competitors , among others.

Key Considerations:

Regulators, Compliance, Owners: While regulators and owners are valid stakeholders, 'compliance' is not a stakeholder category but rather a function or responsibility.

Competitors, Customers, Partners: These are all valid stakeholder categories commonly found on the stakeholder wheel.

Competitors, Consumers, Providers: While competitors and consumers (a synonym for customers) are valid, 'providers' is not a standard term used in the stakeholder wheel.

Contractors, Partners, Suppliers: Contractors are not typically included as a primary stakeholder category on the stakeholder wheel, though partners and suppliers are.

Evaluation of Each Option:

A . Regulators, Compliance, Owners: 'Compliance' is not a stakeholder category; it refers to adherence to rules or regulations. Conclusion: This is not correct .

B . Competitors, Customers, Partners: These are all valid stakeholder categories found on the stakeholder wheel. Conclusion: This is correct .

C . Competitors, Consumers, Providers: While competitors and consumers (customers) are valid, 'providers' is not a standard stakeholder category. Conclusion: This is not correct .

D . Contractors, Partners, Suppliers: Contractors are not typically included as a primary stakeholder category on the stakeholder wheel. Conclusion: This is not correct .

Final Recommendation:

The list that only includes stakeholders shown on the stakeholder wheel is: B . Competitors, Customers, Partners

Answer : A

A use case diagram is a visual representation of how users (or systems) interact with a system to achieve specific goals. Actors represent the entities (e.g., users or external systems) that expect to receive services from the system.

Key Elements of a Use Case Diagram:

Actors: Represent individuals or systems that interact with the system to achieve a goal.

System Boundaries: Define the scope of the system being modeled.

Users: While 'users' may seem similar to actors, the term 'actors' is the correct technical term in use case diagrams.

Entities: Entities typically refer to data objects or components, not those receiving services.

Evaluation of Each Option:

A . Actors: Actors are the correct element used to indicate those who expect to receive a service from the system. Conclusion: This is correct .

B . System boundaries: System boundaries define the scope of the system but do not represent those receiving services. Conclusion: This is not correct .

C . Users: While users may interact with the system, the correct term in use case diagrams is 'actors.' Conclusion: This is not correct .

D . Entities: Entities represent data objects or components, not those receiving services. Conclusion: This is not correct .

Answer : C