A business analyst has been assigned to Project Y. After a requirements gathering session, the project manager asks the business analyst to identify which requirements would be considered in scope and out of scope, based on the business need.
What document should the business analyst use to determine the relationship of the requirement to the business need?
Answer : A
A traceability matrix is a document that the business analyst can use to determine the relationship of each requirement to the business need when working on Project Y. A traceability matrix is a table that shows how each requirement relates to other project artifacts, such as business needs, objectives, deliverables, design elements, test cases, or risks. A traceability matrix can help to ensure that each requirement is aligned with and contributes to the business need that initiated the project. It can also help to verify that each requirement is necessary, feasible, testable, and traceable throughout the project life cycle. A traceability matrix can also help to manage changes and measure progress in relation to the business need. A requirements baseline document is a version of the requirements specification that has been reviewed, approved, and formally established as the basis for further development and delivery of the solution. A requirements baseline document defines the scope of the project and the expected value of the solution. It does not show how each requirement relates to the business need explicitly. A requirements management plan is a document that describes how requirements will be elicited, analyzed, documented, validated, and managed throughout the project. A requirements management plan defines the roles, responsibilities, processes, and tools for managing requirements. It does not indicate the relationship of each requirement to the business need specifically. A requirements package is a document that presents the requirements in a structured and organized way for communication and verification purposes. A requirements package may include different types of requirements, such as functional, non-functional, quality, or transition requirements. It does not demonstrate how each requirement relates to the business need directly. A reliability matrix is not a standard document in business analysis, but it may refer to a tool that measures the reliability or dependability of a system or a process. A reliability matrix evaluates the performance or quality of a solution.It does not determine the relationship of each requirement to the business need.Reference: PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA) Examination Content Outline1, page 15; Business Analysis for Practitioners: A Practice Guide2, page 95.
A project affects the marketing unit and procurement unit. The project manager gives the business analyst an overview of the project for the first time.
What should the business analyst do immediately after the discussion?
Answer : D
The first thing the business analyst should do immediately after the discussion with the project manager is to schedule time with the process owners.The process owners are the people or groups responsible for a specific business process or procedure that is affected by the project5. The business analyst needs to understand the current state of the processes, the pain points and opportunities, the requirements and expectations, and the impact of the project on the processes. By meeting with the process owners, the business analyst can establish a relationship, gather relevant information, and ensure alignment and collaboration. Putting the information into a project plan is premature, as the business analyst needs to conduct more analysis and planning before creating a project plan. Developing an issues log is not necessary, as there are no issues identified at this stage.Assessing the risks for the project is important, but it is not the immediate action, as the business analyst needs to understand the scope and objectives of the project first.Reference: PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA) Examination Content Outline2, PMI Guide to Business Analysis3, Business Analysis for Practitioners: A Practice Guide4, What is a Process Owner?Definition & Responsibilities
A few months into a project, the business analyst determines that the costs are exceeding the perceived benefits. The business analyst wants to address the possible risks of having to cancel the product.
Which of the following documents should be used?
Answer : D
The business case provides the rationale for the project and includes an analysis of the costs and benefits. It is used to assess risks, including the potential need to cancel the product.Reference: PMI-PBA Examination Content Outline, Business Analysis for Practitioners: A Practice Guide.
When managing a product backlog, which statement best describes how to determine the value of backlog items?
Answer : B
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.Reference: = PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA) Examination Content Outline (2019), page 11; Business Analysis for Practitioners: A Practice Guide (2015), page 66.
In the middle of a project, a new requirement was added to the scope. The business analyst must determine if any impacts, dependencies, or risks are associated with the addition to the scope.
What task should the business analyst perform in order to identify these impacts?
Answer : D
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.Reference: = PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA) Examination Content Outline (2019), page 14; Business Analysis for Practitioners: A Practice Guide (2015), page 83.
Which of the following techniques contrasts the current and desired business views to analyze possible business changes?
Answer : C
Gap analysis is a technique that contrasts the current and desired business views to analyze possible business changes. It identifies the gaps between the current state and the future state of the business and helps to prioritize the actions needed to close those gaps. Gap analysis can be used to assess the feasibility, scope, and value of a proposed change.Reference: = PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA) Examination Content Outline (2019), page 10; Business Analysis for Practitioners: A Practice Guide (2015), page 52.
A company's management team has decided to deploy a new product. However, there is concern that users may not accept a new product that forces them to change existing practices.
The business analyst should:
Answer : C
The business analyst should clearly communicate project objectives and attempt to defuse tensions when there is concern that users may not accept a new product that forces them to change existing practices. Communication is a key skill for business analysts, as it helps to ensure that stakeholders understand the purpose, scope, benefits, and risks of the project and the solution. Communication also helps to manage stakeholder expectations, address their concerns, resolve conflicts, and gain their support and buy-in for the change. By communicating project objectives and trying to defuse tensions, the business analyst can demonstrate the value of the new product, explain the rationale behind the change, listen to the feedback and suggestions of the users, and foster a positive and collaborative relationship with them. Adhering to the project plan to achieve project objectives is not sufficient, as it does not address the user resistance or dissatisfaction with the new product. Voicing user concerns to management and recommending that the project be closed is not advisable, as it may undermine the project success and waste the resources invested in it.Delaying the application's deployment until the conflicts have been resolved is not effective, as it may cause delays, rework, or scope creep in the project.Reference: PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA) Examination Content Outline1, page 9; Business Analysis for Practitioners: A Practice Guide2, page 55.