A business analyst is developing a traceability matrix to determine whether or not any gaps exist and to identify any discrepancies. Which critical field is needed to ensure that the traceability matrix is usable?

• Hierarchy
• Requirements description
• Status
• Owner

A business analyst has been asked to investigate a problem. This investigation will provide input towards developing a business case. The business analyst wants to first understand the company’s current business processes. Which technique should the business analyst use?

• MoSCoW
• RACI matrix
• Observation
• User stories

Answer explanation

To understand the company's current business processes, the business analyst can use the technique of observation. This involves directly observing how the business currently operates, including how tasks are performed, who is involved, and what systems or tools are used. Observation allows the business analyst to gain firsthand insights into the existing processes and identify areas that may need improvement or where problems are occurring. This information is valuable when developing a business case to address the identified issues or opportunities.

The customer and the business analyst are collaborating in the development of a solution scope. It is important for the customer to:

• spend the time required to provide, clarify, and elaborate requirements
• communicate changes to requirements only when they are completely defined.
• perform an alternatives analysis for requirements implementation.
• challenge assessments of the cost and feasibility of requirements.

Answer explanation

In the collaborative development of a solution scope, it is essential for the customer to actively engage with the business analyst and invest the necessary time to provide, clarify, and elaborate on requirements. Clear and well-defined requirements are crucial for developing a solution that aligns with the customer's needs and expectations. Therefore, the customer's active participation in this process is vital to ensure that the solution scope accurately represents their requirements and objectives.

A business analyst is leading a project to implement automated order entry software at a local pizza restaurant. The business analyst has very little information about the project: the ordering process takes too long and often ends in incorrect orders. What step should the business analyst take next?

• Identify testing resources to support the implementation.
• Request information on the current ordering process and compare it with other companies.
• Select the software to implement and start working with the technical resources.
• Schedule a requirements gathering sessions with the manager of the ordering department.

Answer explanation

In this situation, where the business analyst has limited information about the project and is aware of issues in the ordering process, the next logical step is to engage with the manager of the ordering department to gather requirements. This will involve understanding the current ordering process, its pain points, and the specific needs and expectations of the restaurant. By conducting this requirements gathering session, the business analyst can gain insights into the problems, objectives, and constraints of the project, which will be essential for moving forward with the project effectively.

After a project was delivered, the business analyst learns of a project objective with no associated requirement. What would have helped determine this issue before delivery?

• Context diagram
• Use cases
• Tracing requirements
• Process flow

Answer explanation

Tracing requirements is a technique that helps ensure that every project objective or goal has associated requirements. By establishing and maintaining traceability between project objectives and requirements, a business analyst can identify any gaps or missing requirements before the project is delivered. This helps in ensuring that all project objectives are addressed and that there are no unaddressed goals that might lead to issues after delivery. In this case, having a robust tracing mechanism would have helped determine the issue of a project objective with no associated requirement before the project was delivered.

A business analyst is conducting a cost-benefit analysis of potential solution options. The stakeholders have indicated that the estimated growth rate is very important to them. Which technique will allow the business analyst to determine this information?

• Net present value (NPV)
• Payback period
• Return on investment (ROI)
• Internal rate of return

Answer explanation

During user acceptance testing, a defect is logged by a user from a department that did not participate in the requirements analysis. To avoid this situation and minimize impact on the project, the user should have been:

• interviewed to understand how the user’s work would be impacted.
• involved in the development and sign-off of the business requirements.
• given the opportunity to review the user acceptance test scripts.
• identified as a stakeholder as part of the stakeholder analysis.

Answer explanation

By identifying this user as a stakeholder during the stakeholder analysis phase, the project team would have a chance to understand their needs and expectations from the beginning, which can help in preventing such defects and issues during user acceptance testing. It ensures that all relevant parties are considered during the project's planning and execution.

A business analyst is reviewing a discrepancy report after a test session. The discrepancy report has revealed a defect that the business analyst must address. Which of the following criteria should the business analyst use to identify the appropriate response to the defective test result?

• Perform an impact analysis and open a change request to include the revised requirement in the next baseline.
• Inspect the requirements traceability matrix to verify if the requirement is connected to a use case.
• Determine if the defect is in the solution developed, in the original requirement or in the test case.
• Verify that the corresponding requirement was appropriately signed off by the requesting stakeholder.

Answer explanation

This criterion involves investigating where the defect originates. It's important to ascertain whether the issue is with the solution itself, if there was an issue with the original requirement, or if there was a problem with the way the test case was executed. Identifying the root cause of the defect is crucial for determining the appropriate corrective action.

During validation of a project solution, the business analyst discovers that a requirement has been altered. Instead of placing the company logo in the upper-left corner of the window, it is displayed in the upper-right corner. When the business analyst asks the developer about the change, the developer says that one of the stakeholders asked directly for the change. Which correct action should the business analyst take?

• Confront the stakeholder that requested the change
• Follow the change control process as defined in the business analysis plan.
• Discuss the change in the next stakeholder meeting.
• Ask the developer to correct the logo as stated in the requirement.

Answer explanation

When a requirement has been altered, it's important to follow the established change control process. This process typically involves documenting and evaluating the change request, including assessing its impact on the project, obtaining the necessary approvals, and ensuring that all stakeholders are informed. It helps maintain control over project changes, ensures that they are properly evaluated, and minimizes potential risks and scope creep.

While it's essential to address the issue with the stakeholder who requested the change, this should be done as part of the change control process to ensure that the change is properly documented and evaluated before implementation. Simply confronting the stakeholder may not ensure that the change is well-managed and aligned with the project's objectives and requirements.

A company is developing a new e-commerce platform to enter a new market segment. Development is well under way when the government issues a new set of regulations. Which course of action should the business analyst take?

• Check the traceability matrix to identify affected use cases.
• Evaluate if the new set of regulations is aligned with the business case.
• Evaluate the impact of the change on the project schedule.
• Obtain management sign-off on the new set of regulations.

Answer explanation

Checking the traceability matrix is a crucial step because it helps identify which requirements, including use cases, are affected by the new regulations. This action allows the business analyst and the project team to assess the impact of the regulations on the ongoing development. It's a critical part of change management and ensuring that the project remains compliant with the new regulatory requirements.

While evaluating the alignment of the regulations with the business case (option B) is important, it may come after identifying the affected use cases. Evaluating the impact on the project schedule (option C) is also important but is typically a subsequent step after understanding the extent of the changes. Obtaining management sign-off on the new regulations (option D) may be necessary, but it usually follows the identification of affected requirements and assessment of their impact.