Business Analysis Practice Test #2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which element of the business case should include information about how a plan would affect interdepartmental relations?
- Impact assessment (Correct answer)
- Options considered
- Cost/benefit analysis
- Risk assessment
Correct answer: Impact assessment
The impact assessment section of a business case specifically evaluates how a proposed plan or change will affect various aspects of the organization. This includes analyzing the potential consequences on interdepartmental relations, existing workflows, technology systems, and personnel. It aims to quantify both positive and negative effects to provide a comprehensive understanding of the change's reach.
Question 2: As a business analyst, what type(s) of communication do you need?
- Written
- Verbal
- Verbal and Written (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Verbal and Written
Business analysts require strong verbal communication skills for conducting interviews, facilitating workshops, and presenting findings to stakeholders. Equally important are excellent written communication skills for documenting requirements, creating reports, and preparing comprehensive business cases. Proficiency in both verbal and written communication is essential for effective stakeholder engagement and clear information transfer throughout a project.
Question 3: Which of the following is not a good decision-making indicator?
- The impact of uncertainty and new info when making decisions can be effectively assessed
- Confidence of the participants in the decision analysis process is correct
- Decisions are effective in addressing the underlying problem
- Agreement by stakeholder that analysis models effectively and completely describe the domain (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Agreement by stakeholder that analysis models effectively and completely describe the domain
While stakeholder agreement on analysis models is desirable, it is an outcome of good analysis rather than a direct indicator of good decision-making itself. Good decision-making indicators focus on the effectiveness of the process in handling uncertainty, addressing underlying problems, and building confidence in the analysis. The other options directly relate to the quality and effectiveness of the decision-making process.
Question 4: Which one serves as a go-between for business users and system designers?
- TRS
- FRD
- SDD (Correct answer)
- SSD
Correct answer: SDD
The System Design Document (SDD) serves as a critical bridge between the business requirements gathered from users and the technical implementation details needed by system designers and developers. It translates the functional and non-functional needs into detailed technical specifications, acting as a go-between to ensure the developed system meets the business's objectives.
Question 5: Select the one that best reflects the functional requirement.
- The system must comply with the Data Protection Act.
- The system must allow the user to amend customer details. (Correct answer)
- The system must be password protected.
- The system must output all reports within five minutes.
Correct answer: The system must allow the user to amend customer details.
A functional requirement describes what the system *must do* to support business processes and user needs. 'The system must allow the user to amend customer details' is a specific action or capability the system provides, directly addressing a user's interaction with the system. The other options describe non-functional requirements related to compliance, security, or performance.
Question 6: Which business certifications are most commonly required to work as a business analyst?
- Chartered Financial Analyst
- Certified Professional Sales Person
- Certified Global Business Professional (Correct answer)
- ATD Master Trainer
Correct answer: Certified Global Business Professional
While various certifications exist, the Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP) is a recognized credential that demonstrates proficiency in international business, which is increasingly relevant for business analysts working in globalized environments. The other options are specialized for finance (CFA), sales (CPSP), or training (ATD), not general business analysis.
Question 7: In which of the following BA tasks should the BA look for possibilities to improve the bus's operation?
- Chartered Financial Analyst
- Org reqs
- Specify and model reqs (Correct answer)
- Confirm elicitation results
Correct answer: Specify and model reqs
During the 'Specify and model requirements' task, business analysts not only document current needs but also critically analyze them to identify inefficiencies, redundancies, and opportunities for improvement. This phase involves evaluating existing processes and proposing better solutions, which directly leads to enhancing business operations. It's where the BA actively seeks to add value beyond mere documentation.
Question 8: Which of the following is not a key business analyst skill?
- Business case development
- Modeling techniques and methods
- Career visualizing (Correct answer)
- Understanding of systems engineering concepts
Correct answer: Career visualizing
Business analysts are primarily focused on organizational needs, requirements, and solution delivery. While personal career planning is important for any professional, 'career visualizing' is not a core skill directly applied to the tasks and responsibilities of a business analyst role, unlike business case development, modeling techniques, or understanding systems engineering concepts which are fundamental to their work.
Question 9: What is Scoring?
- The process of determining how well a soln meets a req (Correct answer)
- The process of setting rules for the team
- The process of determining the order of imp for all reqs
- The process of assigning stakeholder and soln reqs to soln components and to releases
Correct answer: The process of determining how well a soln meets a req
In business analysis, scoring is a technique used to evaluate and prioritize potential solutions or requirements. It involves assessing how effectively a proposed solution addresses specific requirements, often using a predefined set of criteria and a numerical scale. This process helps stakeholders make informed decisions about which solutions to pursue, ensuring alignment with business objectives.
Question 10: With the exception of..., business analysts normally assume the primary role in all of the following.
- Requirements management and communication
- Promotional activities
- Planning and monitoring (Correct answer)
- Translating and simplifying requirements
Correct answer: Planning and monitoring
Business analysts typically play a primary role in managing requirements, communicating them, and translating complex needs into understandable formats. However, the primary responsibility for overall project planning and monitoring, including schedule, budget, and resource allocation, usually rests with the Project Manager. While BAs contribute to planning, they do not typically assume the *primary* role in project-level planning and monitoring.
Question 11: Relationships between two entities are referred to as:
- Generalization
- Dependencies (Correct answer)
- Association
- All the above
Correct answer: Dependencies
In the context of business analysis and systems modeling, a dependency describes a relationship where one entity relies on another for its existence, function, or completion. This means that a change in one entity can directly affect the other, or one entity cannot exist or function without the other. While 'association' is a general term for a relationship, 'dependencies' specifically highlights this reliance.
Business Analysis Practice Test #2
Which element of the business case should include information about how a plan would affect interdepartmental relations?