CBAP/CCBA prep questions & answers – Strategy Analysis (3)

Question 21. Kevin is working as a strategy analyst on an initiative. He is trying to conceptualize in enough detail, a solution recommended by his company’s vendor so as to enhance stakeholders’ understanding of the new business capabilities this initiative will deliver. What task is Kevin performing?
 A. Define Solution Scope
 B. Assess Capability Gaps
 C. Define Business Need
 D. Determine Solution Approach

The correct answer is A. Define Solution Scope.

Explanation:

Kevin is working on conceptualizing a solution in enough detail to help stakeholders understand the new business capabilities. This aligns with defining the solution scope, which involves clarifying what the solution will deliver, its boundaries, and the capabilities it will provide to meet business needs. The purpose of this task is to ensure that all stakeholders have a clear understanding of the scope of the initiative and what the solution will achieve.

Let’s briefly discuss the other options:

• B. Assess Capability Gaps involves identifying the gaps between current capabilities and what is needed to achieve the desired outcomes, but it is more focused on analyzing deficiencies rather than explaining a solution.

• C. Define Business Need focuses on identifying the problem or opportunity the organization is addressing, not the conceptualization of a solution.

• D. Determine Solution Approach involves selecting the strategy or method for implementing the solution, but Kevin’s task is more about detailing the recommended solution rather than deciding on the implementation approach.

Thus, Kevin is defining the solution scope to enhance stakeholders’ understanding of the solution.

Question 22. Strategy analysis is essential in Business Analysis activities because of the following except
 A. Determine most feasible business solution approach
 B. Define and document business requirement
 C. Define solution scope and develop business case
 D. Develop model of current state of an organisation

The correct answer is B. Define and document business requirement.

Explanation:

Strategy analysis in business analysis is focused on understanding the current state of an organization, defining the future state, evaluating various solution approaches, and developing business cases. Here’s how the options relate to strategy analysis:

• A. Determine most feasible business solution approach: Strategy analysis involves evaluating different business solution options and determining which is the most feasible to solve a business problem.

• B. Define and document business requirement: While understanding business requirements is critical in business analysis, this activity is more specific to requirements analysis rather than strategy analysis. Requirements analysis focuses on gathering and detailing the specific needs of the business, rather than the broader strategic evaluation.

• C. Define solution scope and develop business case: In strategy analysis, defining the solution scope and creating a business case for it is essential. This helps stakeholders understand the benefits and justification for moving forward with a particular solution.

• D. Develop model of current state of an organization: Strategy analysis typically involves assessing the current state of an organization, which is a necessary step to identify gaps and opportunities for improvement.

Thus, B. Define and document business requirement is the activity not directly associated with strategy analysis but rather with the requirements phase.

Question 23. Strategy Analysis output provide context to
 A. Solution Assessment
 B. Business Case
 C. Solution Identification
 D. Capability gap analysis

The correct answer is B. Business Case.

Explanation:

Strategy Analysis involves defining the business needs, assessing current capabilities, and identifying gaps to develop a strategy that aligns with the organization’s goals. The output of Strategy Analysis includes insights about business goals, objectives, and the context for decision-making. This analysis provides the foundation for crafting a Business Case, which justifies investments or actions based on the potential business value and impact.

1. Business Case (B): The strategy analysis identifies business goals and problems, which directly feed into the creation of a business case. A business case presents the rationale for proposed solutions, weighing costs, benefits, risks, and opportunities, making it a key document for deciding on future initiatives.

2. Solution Assessment (A): While strategy analysis informs decisions, solution assessment is more concerned with evaluating existing or potential solutions to see if they meet the business needs already identified. It’s more downstream and focused on implementation.

3. Solution Identification (C): Identifying potential solutions is one part of responding to the needs revealed in strategy analysis, but the output of strategy analysis more broadly supports decision-making, not just the identification of specific solutions.

4. Capability Gap Analysis (D): Capability gap analysis can be a component of strategy analysis, but it’s one aspect, not the full output. The result of gap analysis feeds into the overall strategy analysis, not vice versa.

Thus, Strategy Analysis provides the broader context for justifying a Business Case that supports future investments or changes.

Question 24. You are newly employed business analyst and your first assignment is to determine why the current organization architecture was not able to produce result that will fulfill organizations goal and produce expected result. Which BA task are you supposed to review and analyse
 A. Define Business Need
 B. Assess Capability Gap
 C. Determine Solution Approach
 D. Define Solution Scope

As a newly employed business analyst trying to determine why the current organizational architecture is failing to meet goals and produce expected results, you are most likely performing the task described in B. Assess Capability Gap.

Explanation:

The task “Assess Capability Gap” involves evaluating the organization’s current capabilities and comparing them with the desired future state or objectives. The purpose is to identify gaps between what the organization can currently achieve and what it needs to achieve to meet its goals. Since you’re analyzing why the architecture isn’t producing expected results, you’d be focusing on the organization’s ability to meet objectives, which relates to identifying these gaps.

Here’s why the other options are not as fitting:

• A. Define Business Need: This task focuses on identifying the business problem or opportunity that needs to be addressed, not the analysis of current performance.

• C. Determine Solution Approach: This task involves deciding on the best approach to solve the problem after the capability gap has been identified.

• D. Define Solution Scope: This task sets the boundaries and context for a solution but is not related to assessing why the current system is failing.

In summary, assessing the capability gap will help you pinpoint the reasons the current architecture is not fulfilling organizational goals.

Question 25. Liam is a BA working on a project. He is at a point of taking a decision and he decides to analyse various options available to him. Which of these is not a reason for such analysis

• A. To be aware of the consequences of each possible option

• B. To avoid Scope Creeping

• C. To determine the areas of uncertainties that may affect his decision

• D. To determine the values, goals and objectives of the decision relevant to project

The correct answer is B. To avoid Scope Creeping.

Here’s why:

1. A. To be aware of the consequences of each possible option: This is a key reason for analyzing options. Liam needs to understand the outcomes and implications of each option before making a decision.

2. B. To avoid Scope Creeping: Scope creeping refers to the uncontrolled expansion of a project’s scope. While it’s important to manage scope, analyzing options doesn’t specifically help avoid scope creep. Avoiding scope creep is more related to setting clear boundaries, managing stakeholder expectations, and having strong change control processes in place.

3. C. To determine the areas of uncertainties that may affect his decision: Analyzing options helps identify uncertainties and risks that could influence the decision, so this is a valid reason.

4. D. To determine the values, goals, and objectives of the decision relevant to the project: This is also a valid reason, as understanding how each option aligns with the project’s objectives is critical for making informed decisions.

Thus, option B is the least relevant in the context of analyzing options for decision-making.

Question 26. Wrap-up will produce the following result except

• A. Obtain answers to follow-up questions

• B. Organize information into requirement format

• C. Review and confirm the selected details with the subject matter expert

• D. Ensure speedy and timely delivery of a project

The correct answer is D. Ensure speedy and timely delivery of a project.

Explanation:

• A. Obtain answers to follow-up questions: Wrap-up sessions often involve clarification of any outstanding issues, including follow-up questions.

• B. Organize information into requirement format: During a wrap-up, it is common to gather and organize information into a structured format to ensure everyone is aligned.

• C. Review and confirm the selected details with the subject matter expert: Confirming details with experts is a crucial step during a wrap-up to ensure accuracy.

• D. Ensure speedy and timely delivery of a project: This is not typically a direct result of a wrap-up session. While the session helps finalize details, ensuring a project’s timely delivery depends on subsequent project management activities, not just the wrap-up itself.

Question 27. A customer has approached you as an organization’s BA requesting that your company create a new software that will assist them in collecting customers information. In regard to strategy analysis, this business need stem from which one of the following need generation

• A. Top-Down

• B. External Driver

• C. Bottom-up

• D. Middle management

In the given scenario, the customer’s request for software to collect customer information is driven by an external party—the customer themselves. This business need arises from external pressures or requirements rather than internal decisions made by the organization.

Thus, the correct answer is B. External Driver.

Explanation:

1. Top-Down (A): A top-down need typically stems from the organization’s leadership (executives or senior management) setting strategic goals, but in this case, the need comes from a customer outside the organization.

2. External Driver (B): This refers to needs initiated by forces outside the organization, such as customers, market trends, or regulatory changes. The request to create software comes from an external source (the customer), making this the best fit.

3. Bottom-up (C): This refers to needs identified through operational processes or issues, often recognized by employees at the operational level. This is not relevant here.

4. Middle Management (D): A need generated by middle management would involve a decision from within the organization’s hierarchy, which isn’t the case here since the need originates from a customer.

Thus, the business need is driven by an external factor (the customer), making External Driver the correct choice.

Question 28. You are a business analyst for your organization and are in the process of creating the solution approach for technology problem. Which one of the following definitions best describes the solution approach?

• A. Decomposes the project scope into smaller deliverables; each deliverable is subdivided repeatedly until the deliverable cannot or should not be broken down any further

• B. It is an uncertain event or condition that may have a positive or negative impact on the abilities of the chartered project

• C. Defines the general approach that will be taken to create or acquire new capabilities required to meet the business need

• D. It is the documentation and control of changes to the product scope as approved by the project stakeholder

The best definition for the “solution approach” is:

C. Defines the general approach that will be taken to create or acquire new capabilities required to meet the business need.

Explanation:

• Solution Approach refers to how the business will address a problem or need by creating or acquiring the necessary capabilities to solve it. This includes deciding whether to build a solution in-house, buy it from a vendor, or configure an existing system, and it forms part of the broader strategy for resolving the issue.

Let’s look at why the other options are not correct:

• A (Decomposes the project scope into smaller deliverables) describes work breakdown structure (WBS), which is more about organizing tasks in a project, not defining the solution approach.

• B (An uncertain event or condition) describes a risk, not a solution approach.

• D (Documentation and control of changes) refers to change control in project management, specifically related to handling changes in scope or requirements, not the overall approach to solving a business problem.

Question 29. You are working with several business analysts to determine the solution approach for identified problem. All of the following techniques are acceptable for identifying the solution approach except for which one?

• A. Risk analysis

• B. Decision analysis

• C. Benchmarking

• D Brainstorming

The correct answer is A. Risk analysis.

Here’s why:

• Risk analysis is primarily a technique used to identify potential risks, assess their impact, and develop strategies for mitigating them. It is more relevant when evaluating the uncertainties and potential negative outcomes associated with a solution but is not typically used to directly determine a solution approach.

On the other hand:

• Decision analysis (B) is a method used to evaluate various options by comparing their possible outcomes, making it a valid tool for determining the best solution approach.

• Benchmarking (C) involves comparing the organization’s current processes or solutions to best practices or industry standards, which helps in identifying a suitable solution approach.

• Brainstorming (D) is a creative technique to generate multiple ideas, including potential solution approaches, making it a valid technique in this context.

Thus, risk analysis is the least appropriate for determining a solution approach directly, though it could be valuable once a solution is chosen to manage risks associated with it.

Question 30. Ben is the business analyst for his company. Ben and his business analysis team are currently using a business analysis approach to determine what the competition of his organization is offering prospective client. He is trying to identify solution to increase revenue by remaining competitive with the competition. What business analysis approach are Ben and his team using

• A. Benchmarking

• B. Focus groups

• C. Functional decomposition

• D. Business rules analysis

The business analysis approach Ben and his team are using is A. Benchmarking.

Explanation:

• Benchmarking is a method where a company compares its practices, products, and services to those of its competitors or leading organizations. The goal is to identify gaps and find ways to improve and stay competitive. In Ben’s case, he and his team are analyzing what the competition offers to attract prospective clients, which is a clear example of benchmarking.

Why the other options are incorrect:

• B. Focus groups involve gathering a group of people to discuss their opinions and feedback, often about products or services. This does not match the scenario described.

• C. Functional decomposition is a technique used to break down complex processes or systems into smaller parts, which isn’t relevant to analyzing competition.

• D. Business rules analysis involves defining rules or guidelines under which a business operates, which isn’t focused on comparing competitors.

Thus, Benchmarking is the correct answer.