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

Answer : A

Design thinking is a human-centered, iterative approach used to uncover innovative solutions by focusing on user needs and exploring multiple possibilities. It emphasizes creativity, collaboration, and experimentation.

Key Characteristics of Techniques:

Design Thinking: Uses an iterative process (empathize, define, ideate, prototype, test) to generate innovative options.

Fishbone Diagram: A root cause analysis tool, not focused on innovation.

Rich Pictures: A visual representation of a situation, useful for understanding context but not for generating innovative options.

Mind Maps: A brainstorming tool that organizes ideas hierarchically, but it does not inherently follow an iterative approach.

Evaluation of Each Option:

A . Design thinking: Design thinking explicitly uses an iterative approach to uncover innovative options. Conclusion: This is correct .

B . Fishbone diagram: Fishbone diagrams focus on identifying root causes, not innovation. Conclusion: This is not correct .

C . Rich pictures: Rich pictures visualize complex situations but do not inherently foster innovation. Conclusion: This is not correct .

D . Mind maps: Mind maps organize ideas but do not follow an iterative, innovative process like design thinking. Conclusion: This is not correct .

Final Recommendation:

The technique that uses an iterative approach to uncover innovative options is: A . Design thinking.

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 : B

The digital business analyst role focuses on leveraging technology to drive innovation and transformation. This variant of the business analyst role requires creative thinking, adaptability to rapid change, and the ability to exploit emerging technologies.

Key Characteristics of Business Analyst Roles:

Enterprise Business Analyst: Focuses on aligning business strategies and objectives across the organization.

Digital Business Analyst: Emphasizes innovation, digital transformation, and the adoption of emerging technologies.

Project Business Analyst: Works within project teams to define and deliver specific solutions.

Test Business Analyst: Specializes in ensuring requirements are met through testing and quality assurance.

Evaluation of Each Option:

A . Enterprise business analyst: While enterprise BAs focus on strategic alignment, they do not specifically emphasize innovation or emerging technologies. Conclusion: This is not correct .

B . Digital business analyst: This role explicitly involves thinking innovatively, embracing change, and leveraging emerging technologies. Conclusion: This is correct .

C . Project business analyst: Project BAs focus on delivering specific solutions rather than driving innovation or digital transformation. Conclusion: This is not correct .

D . Test business analyst: Test BAs focus on validation and quality assurance, not innovation or technology adoption. Conclusion: This is not correct .

Final Recommendation:

The variant of the business analyst role that needs to think innovatively and embrace change is: B . Digital business analyst.

Answer : D

Scenario analysis is an investigation technique used to explore and evaluate potential future scenarios or situations. It helps stakeholders understand how different factors might impact a business area or process.

Key Characteristics of Scenario Analysis:

Broad View: Scenario analysis provides a comprehensive understanding of the business area by considering multiple possible outcomes.

Prototyping Basis: The insights gained from scenario analysis can inform the development of prototypes.

Tacit Knowledge Identification: By exploring real-world scenarios, it helps uncover implicit knowledge embedded in business practices.

Testing Scripts: Scenario analysis is not directly involved in preparing test scripts, which are typically created during the testing phase.

Evaluation of Each Option:

A . Provides a broad view of the business area under investigation: Scenario analysis evaluates multiple possibilities, offering a broad perspective. Conclusion: This is true .

B . Provides a basis for developing subsequent prototypes: Insights from scenario analysis can guide prototype development. Conclusion: This is true .

C . Helps identify tacit knowledge used in business practice: Exploring scenarios uncovers hidden knowledge and practices. Conclusion: This is true .

D . Helps prepare the scripts that will be used to test the delivered solution: Preparing test scripts is part of testing activities, not scenario analysis. Conclusion: This is false .

Answer : A

A process model is a visual representation of a business process or workflow, showing how activities are performed and how they relate to one another. It is commonly used in business analysis to understand, analyze, and improve processes.

Key Characteristics of a Process Model:

Graphical Representation: Process models visually depict workflows and subprocesses, making them easier to understand.

Cost Differences: Cost analysis is not the primary purpose of a process model.

Job Descriptions: Process models focus on workflows, not individual job roles.

Software Features: Informal descriptions of software features are unrelated to process modeling.

Evaluation of Each Option:

A . A graphical representation of a business process or workflow and its related sub-processes: This accurately describes the purpose and nature of a process model. Conclusion: This is correct .

B . The cost differences between how a customer currently does something and how they would like to do something: Cost differences are analyzed separately and are not part of process modeling. Conclusion: This is not correct .

C . The detailed job description of the work to be performed by an individual: Job descriptions are documented separately and are not part of process modeling. Conclusion: This is not correct .

D . An informal, detailed, description of a software system feature derived from an end user's perspective: This describes user stories or feature descriptions, not process models. Conclusion: This is not correct .

Answer : A, C

When documenting risks in a business case, it is essential to follow structured processes to ensure risks are appropriately identified, analyzed, and managed. Let's evaluate each option again based on best practices outlined in the BCS Business Analysis Framework and other methodologies:

Key Considerations:

Risk Documentation: Risks must be recorded systematically to ensure they are visible, actionable, and traceable.

Ownership of Risks: Assigning ownership ensures accountability and clarity about who is responsible for monitoring and mitigating each risk.

Risk Management Lifecycle: The process typically involves identification, documentation, assessment, ownership assignment, and response planning.

Evaluation of Each Option:

A . Create a RAID log

A RAID log (Risks, Assumptions, Issues, and Dependencies) is a widely used tool in business analysis and project management for capturing and managing risks systematically.

It provides a centralized repository for tracking risks, assumptions, issues, and dependencies, ensuring that risks are documented comprehensively and transparently.

This aligns with best practices for risk management and is a critical first step in ensuring risks are appropriately recorded.

Conclusion: This is a must-do action.

B . Document the source of each risk

While documenting the source of each risk can provide valuable context, it is not a mandatory or primary step in the initial documentation phase.

Sources of risks are often identified during risk analysis or root cause analysis, which occurs after risks have been recorded.

Although useful, this step is secondary to creating a RAID log and assigning ownership.

Conclusion: This is not the most critical action at this stage.

C . Identify an owner for each risk

Assigning ownership for each risk is a fundamental part of risk management. Without clear ownership, risks may remain unmonitored or unaddressed.

Ownership ensures accountability and helps streamline communication and decision-making regarding risk mitigation strategies.

According to the BCS Business Analysis Framework , identifying risk owners is a key responsibility during the risk documentation process.

Conclusion: This is a must-do action.

D . Provide justification for each countermeasure identified

Justifying countermeasures is part of the risk response planning phase, which occurs after risks have been documented, assessed, and prioritized.

At this stage, John's focus should be on identifying and recording risks, not on evaluating or justifying solutions.

Conclusion: This is not relevant at the documentation stage.

E . Impact assessment of each countermeasure identified

Similar to option D, impact assessments for countermeasures are conducted during the risk response planning phase, not during the initial documentation phase.

This step is premature and does not align with the immediate need to document risks.

Conclusion: This is not relevant at the documentation stage.

Final Recommendation:

Based on the BCS Business Analysis Framework and industry best practices, the two most appropriate actions for John are:

Create a RAID log (to systematically document risks).

Identify an owner for each risk (to ensure accountability and clarity).

These steps ensure that risks are appropriately recorded and managed, laying the foundation for effective risk management.

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.