IIBA Updated CBAP Exam Questions and Answers by zach

 A focus group is a technique that helps to elicit the opinions, preferences, and feedback of a group of stakeholders about a specific topic, such as a prototype of a new web-based application. A focus group is facilitated by a moderator who guides the discussion and encourages the participants to share their views and experiences. A focus group can help the BA to understand the stakeholders’ perception, ideas, and attitudes about the prototypes, and to identify any issues, gaps, or improvements. A decision analysis is a technique that helps to evaluate and compare the possible outcomes of different alternatives using criteria such as costs, benefits, risks, and impacts. A decision analysis can help the BA to select the best solution option, but it does not elicit the stakeholders’ perception, ideas, and attitudes about the prototypes. A prioritization is a technique that helps to rank the requirements or solution options based on their relative importance, urgency, value, or dependency. A prioritization can help the BA to determine the optimal scope and sequence of the solution delivery, but it does not elicit the stakeholders’ perception, ideas, and attitudes about the prototypes. A brainstorming is a technique that helps to generate a large number of ideas or solutions in a short time by encouraging the participants to think creatively and freely. A brainstorming can help the BA to explore different possibilities and perspectives, but it does not elicit the stakeholders’ perception, ideas, and attitudes about the prototypes. References: BABOK Guide v3, Chapter 10: Techniques, Section 10.24: Focus Groups, p. 532-533; Section 10.16: Decision Analysis, p. 518-520; Section 10.38: Prioritization, p. 550-552; Section 10.7: Brainstorming, p. 503-504.

According to the BABOK® Guide1, the business analysis approach is the set of processes, tools, deliverables, techniques, and standards that will be used to perform business analysis work on a project. The approach can be either plan-driven, adaptive, or a hybrid of both. A plan-driven approach is more suitable for projects that have stable and well-defined requirements, low levels of change, and clear acceptance criteria. An adaptive approach is more suitable for projects that have uncertain or evolving requirements, high levels of change, and emergent outcomes. Therefore, one of the factors that would drive the decision towards an adaptive approach is the organization’s tolerance for uncertainty, which means the degree to which the organization is willing to accept ambiguity and risk in the project. An organization with a high tolerance for uncertainty can benefit from an adaptive approach that allows for frequent feedback, experimentation, and learning. References:

• A Guide to the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge® (BABOK® Guide), Version 3, Chapter 3: Business Analysis Planning and Monitoring, Section 3.2: Plan Business Analysis Approach, p. 57-59
• CBAP / CCBA Certified Business Analysis Study Guide, 2nd Edition, Chapter 3: Business Analysis Planning and Monitoring, Section 3.2: Plan Business Analysis Approach, p. 89-91

 Quantitative and qualitative data are two types of data that can help the end users evaluate the effectiveness of a solution. Quantitative data are numerical, measurable, and objective, such as cost, time, scope, quality, and customer satisfaction. Qualitative data are descriptive, subjective, and interpretive, such as feedback, opinions, perceptions, and experiences. By using both types of data, the end users can assess the solution from different perspectives and dimensions, and compare the results with the predefined success criteria for the initiative. References:

• Project Success Criteria Guide, Smartsheet
• 7 Project Success Criteria Examples, Indeed.com
• IIBA BABOK Guide, Section 5.4, Evaluate Solution Performance

The BA is using this technique to manage stakeholder collaboration. This technique is known as affinity diagram, which is a technique that helps organize and categorize a large number of ideas, issues, or requirements into logical groups based on their natural relationships or common themes. Affinity diagram can help to manage stakeholder collaboration by facilitating brainstorming, encouraging participation, building consensus, and resolving conflicts among the stakeholders. Affinity diagram can also help to elicit, analyze, and prioritize requirements, but that is not the primary purpose of this technique. References:

• CBAP / CCBA Certified Business Analysis Study Guide, 2nd Edition, Chapter 4: Elicitation and Collaboration, Section 4.3: Confirm Elicitation Results, p. 175-176
• A Guide to the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge® (BABOK® Guide), Version 3, Chapter 4: Elicitation and Collaboration, Section 4.3: Confirm Elicitation Results, p. 108-109
• A Guide to the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge® (BABOK® Guide), Version 3, Chapter 9: Underlying Competencies, Section 9.3: Collaboration and Teamwork, p. 350-351