Free Practice Questions for IIBA CBAP Exam

 A purchase solution approach is one that involves acquiring a COTS software package from an external vendor or provider, rather than developing a custom solution in-house. A purchase solution approach can offer several benefits, such as faster delivery, lower cost, higher quality, and reduced risk. However, a purchase solution approach also has some drawbacks, such as limited customization, dependency on the vendor, compatibility issues, and licensing fees. A BA should evaluate the pros and cons of a purchase solution approach against the business needs and requirements, and compare it with other possible solution approaches, such as outsource, exploit, or create. References:

Evaluating Candidate COTS Packages, ArgonDigital

Seven Insights: Agile and Custom Off The Shelf (COTS) packaged software, Kenny & Company

COTS Software Procurement Methodology, IGI Global

 A satisfy relationship is a type of traceability relationship that indicates that a model element (such as a requirement, a design element, or a test case) fulfills the intent of another model element (such as a stakeholder need, a business requirement, or a regulatory requirement). By using a satisfy relationship, the BA can link the solution components that implement the regulatory requirements and show how they meet the compliance criteria. References:

Overview of working with requirements (SysML)

SysML: Establishing Traceability using Matrix and ETL Table

IIBA BABOK Guide, Section 7.6, Traceability and Monitoring

A data model is a graphical or textual representation of the data and their relationships within a domain or a solution. It can help to understand the data and accurately reflect a set of requirements by showing the entities, attributes, keys, constraints, and associations that define the data structure and meaning. A data model can also help to prioritize the requirements by identifying the critical and dependent data elements and their impacts on the solution. The other options are not the best modeling formats for this purpose, as they either do not show the data relationships, or do not support prioritization. References:

CBAP / CCBA Certified Business Analysis Study Guide, 2nd Edition, Chapter 6: Requirements Analysis and Design Definition, Section 6.4: Model and Validate Requirements, p. 261-262

A Guide to the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge® (BABOK® Guide), Version 3, Chapter 6: Requirements Analysis and Design Definition, Section 6.4: Model Requirements, p. 157-158

 The BA should consider including the priority of each requirement in the project requirements document. The priority is the relative importance or urgency of a requirement in relation to other requirements, based on the value, risk, or dependency of the requirement. By assigning a priority to each requirement, the BA can ensure that the requirements are delivered according to the customer expectations and the project constraints, such as time, budget, and scope. The priority can also help to manage changes, resolve conflicts, and allocate resources for the requirements. References:

CBAP / CCBA Certified Business Analysis Study Guide, 2nd Edition, Chapter 6: Requirements Analysis and Design Definition, Section 6.3: Prioritize Requirements, p. 255-256

A Guide to the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge® (BABOK® Guide), Version 3, Chapter 6: Requirements Analysis and Design Definition, Section 6.3: Prioritize Requirements, p. 155-156

The stakeholders that were missed in the requirements are the end users. End users are the people who will use the solution or be affected by its outcomes. They are a key source of requirements, as they can provide valuable insights into the needs, expectations, preferences, and pain points of the solution. The BA should elicit requirements from the end users, as well as validate and verify them with their feedback. The BA should also ensure that the end users are involved throughout the project lifecycle, from planning to testing to implementation. The other options are not the stakeholders that were missed, as they are either not directly related to the solution or not the primary source of requirements. References:

CBAP / CCBA Certified Business Analysis Study Guide, 2nd Edition, Chapter 2: Business Analysis Key Concepts, Section 2.3: Stakeholders, p. 59-60

A Guide to the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge® (BABOK® Guide), Version 3, Chapter 2: Business Analysis Key Concepts, Section 2.3: Stakeholders, p. 28-29

A Guide to the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge® (BABOK® Guide), Version 3, Chapter 4: Elicitation and Collaboration, Section 4.1: Prepare for Elicitation, p. 97-98

 A data flow diagram is a technique that helps to create a high-level overview of a business process by showing the movement and transformation of data between entities and processes. A data flow diagram uses graphical symbols and arrows to represent the sources and destinations of data, the processes that manipulate data, the data stores that store data, and the data flows that transfer data. A data flow diagram can help the BA to understand the current state of the business process, to identify the data requirements and dependencies, and to communicate the data logic and structure to the stakeholders. An entity relationship diagram is a technique that helps to represent the data and information needs of an organization or a solution using graphical or textual symbols and relationships. An entity relationship diagram shows the entities that are relevant to the domain, the attributes that describe the entities, and the relationships that exist between the entities. An entity relationship diagram can help the BA to define and analyze the data requirements, but it does not show the movement and transformation of data between entities and processes. A scope model is a technique that helps to define the boundaries and context of a project or a solution. A scope model shows the elements that are within the scope, the elements that are out of scope, and the interfaces and interactions between the elements. A scope model can help the BA to clarify the scope and objectives of the project or solution, but it does not show the movement and transformation of data between entities and processes. A process model is a technique that helps to represent the activities and tasks that are performed to achieve a specific goal or outcome. A process model shows the sequence and flow of the activities and tasks, the roles and responsibilities of the performers, the inputs and outputs of each activity or task, and the rules and conditions that govern the process. A process model can help the BA to define and analyze the business process, but it does not show the movement and transformation of data between entities and processes. References: BABOK Guide v3, Chapter 10: Techniques, Section 10.18: Data Flow Diagrams, p. 522-524; Section 10.19: Data Modeling, p. 525-527; Section 10.42: Scope Modeling, p. 554-556; Section 10.43: Process Modeling, p. 557-559.

The next step for the BA after selecting a passive approach for establishing performance metrics is to identify the performance measures. Performance measures are the indicators that are used to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of a process, a solution, or an outcome. They can be quantitative or qualitative, and they can be based on various criteria, such as time, cost, quality, customer satisfaction, or compliance. The BA should identify the performance measures that are relevant, measurable, achievable, and aligned with the objectives and requirements of the project. The BA should also define the baseline and target values for each performance measure, as well as the data sources and collection methods. References:

CBAP / CCBA Certified Business Analysis Study Guide, 2nd Edition, Chapter 7: Solution Evaluation, Section 7.1: Measure Solution Performance, p. 307-308

A Guide to the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge® (BABOK® Guide), Version 3, Chapter 7: Solution Evaluation, Section 7.1: Measure Solution Performance, p. 267-268

A balanced scorecard is a technique that helps to measure the performance of an organization or a change strategy using four perspectives: financial, customer, internal process, and learning and growth. A balanced scorecard helps to align the strategic objectives of the organization with the operational activities and the metrics that indicate the progress and success of the change. A balanced scorecard also helps to communicate the vision and goals of the change to the stakeholders and to monitor and evaluate the results. A decision modeling is a technique that helps to analyze and compare the possible outcomes of different courses of action using criteria such as costs, benefits, risks, and impacts. A financial analysis is a technique that helps to assess the feasibility and viability of a change initiative using quantitative measures such as return on investment, net present value, payback period, and break-even point. A business case is a technique that helps to justify the need for a change and to provide the rationale and evidence for selecting a preferred solution. A business case typically includes the problem or opportunity statement, the objectives and scope of the change, the alternatives and their evaluation, the recommended solution and its benefits, costs, risks, and impacts, and the implementation plan and timeline. References: BABOK Guide v3, Chapter 10: Techniques, Section 10.4: Balanced Scorecard, p. 496-497; Section 10.9: Business Case, p. 506-508; Section 10.16: Decision Modelling, p. 518-520; Section 10.23: Financial Analysis, p. 529-531.

Plate architecture is a structural system consisting of plates, which are planar, two-dimensional components that only transfer forces in the direction of their level. Plate architecture can help the BAs ensure that the requirements collectively support one another and do not conflict, as it provides a clear and consistent representation of the relationships and dependencies among the requirements. Plate architecture can also help the BAs identify and resolve any gaps, overlaps, or inconsistencies in the requirements, as well as facilitate the communication and verification of the requirements with the stakeholders 12. References:

Plate (structure), Wikipedia

Top Architectural Plates: A Comprehensive Guide 2023, AMTHY

The BA should use the Allocate Requirements technique to assign requirements to the various solution components to ensure all objectives are met. This technique involves distributing stakeholder and solution requirements among solution components and releases in order to maximize the possible business value given the options and alternatives generated by the design team. The BA should consider the dependencies, constraints, priorities, and risks of each requirement and component, and ensure that the allocation is traceable, verifiable, and consistent with the project scope and objectives. References:

IIBA BABOK Guide, Section 7.2, Allocate Requirements

Oh Where, Oh Where Does This Requirement Belong? (BABOK 7.2), Bridging the Gap

Requirements Allocation, AcqNotes