Question 1

One of the knowledge areas in the BABOK is ______________ planning and monitoring.
A)requirements
B)enterprise
C)SWOT
D)risk

Accepted Answer

One of the knowledge areas in the BABOK is requirements planning and monitoring.
Key Takeaway: Requirements planning and monitoring is a set of activities that occur during requirements gathering. For example, if a human resources manager is interested in conducting a needs assessment study that gathers individual software requirements, then the process itself must be planned and managed. The BABOK includes a component on requirements planning and management.

Question 2

What is Pareto's Law?
A)80% of the effects come from 20% of the causes
B)Work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion.
C)Anything that can go wrong will go wrong.
D)Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.

Accepted Answer

Pareto's Law says that 80% of the effects come from 20% of the causes. Vilfredo Pareto, an Italian Economist, observed in his country that twenty percent of the people owned eighty percent of the wealth. The poor were lucky then - today it's more like 10/85. Management thinker Joseph Juran (1904 - 2008!) was the one who actually came up with this concept as it applies to business and named it after Pareto.
We'll go through the other ones since they're kind of fun to know:
B, "Work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion" is Parkinson's Law. That's another good one to know.
C, is Murphy's Law. Sometimes it may seem like "Anything than can go wrong will", but it isn't necessary a good philosophy to have!
D, "Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity." is Hanlon's Razor. It's easier to work with a team when you have a healthy respect for them. Nevertheless, you can keep this in the hip pocket for an opportune time.
Key Takeaway: This is a handy heuristic to help you focus your attention on the most important things a project entails, allowing him/her to manage key risks and satisfy the most important stakeholders. Other examples: 20% of your customers will cause 80% of you problems. 20% of items in inventory represent 80% in sales. And so on.
One application I'm sure you'll find interesting is that 80% of beer is drunk by 20% of consumers. That's why most beer commercials are concentrated on football and tawdry men's magazines. It just makes sense for those companies to focus on their heavy consumers.

Question 3

One of the tasks of requirements planning and management is to identify team roles for the project. These are important factors in choosing a specific person for a role EXCEPT __________.
A)team member mood
B)team member skills and expertise
C)team member availability
D)team member position

Accepted Answer

One of the tasks of requirements planning and management is to identify team roles for the project. There are important factors in choosing a specific person for a role as team member skills and expertise, availability, and position.
Key Takeaway: Team roles and their definition is an important component of requirements planning and management. For example, an accountant within the financial unit of a company can be tasked with gathering specific financial information that is required. It is important to choose team roles carefully according to skills, expertise, availability, and position. These factors will determine whether required information is gathered within time or not.

Question 4

The executive sponsor has overall responsibility for the project at the management level. A Business Analyst typically reports to the executive sponsor.

Accepted Answer

True. The executive sponsor has overall responsibility for the project at the management level. A Business Analyst typically reports to the executive sponsor.
Key Takeaway: Within a company, the executive sponsor has ultimate and overall responsibility for the outcome of a project. This sponsor must report to management and senior executives at every level of execution from planning to evaluation. Among his or her responsibilities is approving budgets, providing resources and support, and making decisions. The executive sponsor must provide the energy and enthusiasm to gain the acceptance and support of other executives.

Question 5

Boris wants to figure out how much more his company should invest into the quality of a certain product. What tool would be most effective for this exercise?
A)Fishbone diagram
B)Control chart
C)Run chart
D)Pareto chart
E)Marginal analysis

Accepted Answer

A marginal analysis finds the point at which a company no longer receives incremental revenue for its incremental investment in quality. A company should invest in quality up to the point where marginal investment is equal to marginal return.
Key Takeaway: Conducting a marginal analysis is a true value added tool. It requires substantial business knowledge and high-quality data to do this well.

Question 6

During requirements planning and management, the role of the Project Manager is to ________.
A)oversee the day-to-day activities of the project
B)provide the technical expertise for the solution IT architecture
C)provide quality assurance expertise
D)train staff on the solution IT architecture

Accepted Answer

During requirements planning and management, the role of the Project Manager is to oversee the day-to-day activities of the project.
Key Takeaway: Unlike a Business Analyst who has specific deliverables to prepare and present in a project, a Project Manager oversees the day-to-day activities of the project. For example, a Project Manager will be responsible for coordinating information sessions while the Business Analyst may facilitate them. A Project Manager is also responsible for gaining stakeholder approval throughout the duration of the project.

Question 7

One of the team roles in requirements planning and management is that of 'trainer'. A trainer provides the following services EXCEPT ________________.
A)preparing user manuals
B)promoting the project to senior executives
C)delivering training to end-users
D)providing educational curricula

Accepted Answer

One of the team roles in requirements planning and management is that of trainer. A trainer provides the following services: preparing user manuals, delivering training to end-users, and providing educational curricula.
Key Takeaway: The role of trainer is essential in the requirements planning and management team. The trainer is responsible for translating the knowledge of subject matter experts and solutions providers into information that the company can use on a daily basis. Staff training and skill development are important in the overall success of projects.

Question 8

The _____________ matrix is a tool to show graphically the responsibilities of the key players in planning and managing requirements.
A)SASI
B)RACI
C)NASI
D)RASI

Accepted Answer

The RACI matrix is a tool to show graphically the responsibilities of the key players in planning and managing requirements.
Key Takeaway: RACI is an acronym as follows: [R]esponsible does the work, [A]ccountable is the decision maker, [C]onsulted prior to the work and input solicited, and [I]nformed is one who is informed after a task ends. RACI is clearly defined before a requirements planning and management project is begun. This definition gives team members a clear picture of responsibilities and expectation during planning and management activities. Some team members may have more than one designation; for example, a Project Manager may be both responsible and accountable for the project.

Question 9

A Business Analyst is tasked with compiling a list of all stakeholders where she discovers that one of the stakeholders is an organization. In this instance, she must __________.
A)send updates to all employees of the organization
B)replace the organization with a known individual
C)remove the organization's name from the list
D)identify a key person to represent the organization

Accepted Answer

A Business Analyst is tasked with compiling a list of all stakeholders where she discovers that one of the stakeholders is an organization. In this instance, she must identify a key person to represent the organization.
Key Takeaway: In some requirements planning and management project, a key stakeholder is an organization. For example, if the YMCA is introducing a new project, city council may be a stakeholder. In this case, a representative from city council is invited to join the project team, attend meetings and fulfill role responsibilities. This representative is expected to report back to his or her organization and keep them updated.

Question 10

A questionnaire to identified stakeholders is designed to __________.
A)confirm that all stakeholders are included or others identified
B)confirm their interest in participating in some activities
C)request that they send in their lunch orders
D)remove themselves as the project is surely of no interest

Accepted Answer

A questionnaire to identified stakeholders is designed to confirm that all stakeholders are included or others identified.
Key Takeaway: During the initial phase of a project, a questionnaire is sent to stakeholders to ask them whether they find the list of stakeholders comprehensive or not. If not, they are further asked to recommend the names of people whom they believe should be part of the project as stakeholders. The purpose of this activity is to get ideas from known stakeholders on who else is affected by the project and can provide valuable insights on its activities and impact.

Question 11

As part of engaging stakeholders, a Business Analyst can choose a direct method of information-seeking such as a(an) _______ or an indirect method such as a(an) _______.
A)online survey; face-to-face interview
B)records research; face-to-face interview
C)face-to-face interview; online survey
D)face-to-face interview; wild guess

Accepted Answer

As part of engaging stakeholders, a Business Analyst can choose a direct method of information-seeking such as a face-to-face interview or an indirect method such as an online survey.
Key Takeaway: Business stakeholders are tasked with engaging stakeholders at all levels and seeking information from them when planning and gathering project requirements. There are a number of methods that they can use such as face-to-face interviews or online surveys depending on the stakeholder. If seeking information from a high level Subject Matter Expert, an interview may be the best method. If seeking the input of product consumers, an online survey may be the most efficient and practical method.

Question 12

The questionnaire method for gathering information from stakeholders can have the following shortcoming: ____________
A)it can lead to incomplete or vague information to be gathered
B)it can cause confusion for Business Analysts who only use interviews
C)it can cause participants to become offended at the impersonal method
D)it can be a convenient and cost-effective method to gather information

Accepted Answer

The questionnaire method for gathering information from stakeholders can have the following shortcoming: it can lead to incomplete or vague information to be gathered.
Key Takeaway: The questionnaire method to gather information from stakeholders can lead a Business Analyst to collect incomplete or vague information as they cannot ask for immediate clarification. Although the method is relatively convenient and cost-effective, it may not be ideal for eliciting information from certain stakeholders, especially those with specific expertise.

Question 13

Following the identification of key stakeholders when planning and managing requirements, a Business Analyst must summarize the impact of each stakeholder by outlining the following EXCEPT __________.
A)project impact and number of direct users
B)stakeholder popularity amongst his or her peers
C)essential requirements source
D)geographic distance

Accepted Answer

Following the identification of key stakeholders when planning and managing requirements, a Business Analyst must summarize the impact of each stakeholder by outlining project impact and number of direct users, essential requirements sources, and geographic distance.
Key Takeaway: Stakeholders are specifically chosen in projects not only because they are affected in some way by the project but because they have an impact on requirement planning and management. Depending on the stakeholders role and involvement, their actual impact and ability to secure requirements sources is summarized next to their names at the beginning of a project. This allows the Business Analyst to know whom to seek for specific information when gathering requirements planning.

Question 14

The goal of Business Analysts' work division strategy is as following EXCEPT ______________.
A)clarify the role of each team member
B)define individual responsibilities and set expectations
C)produce the final project deliverable
D)allocate activities according to distinct characteristics

Accepted Answer

The goal of Business Analysts' work division strategy is to clarify the role of each team member, define individual responsibilities and set expectations, and allocate activities according to distinct characteristics.
Key Takeaway: Work division strategy is designed to allocate activities amongst team members according to distinct characteristics. For example, if a Business Analyst on a team has a background in IT, he or she would be allocated to interviewing stakeholders in that division.
Similarly, if a Business Analyst has formed relationships with stakeholders due to previous project engagements, he or she would be asked to reconnect with them to gather requirements. Work division strategy clarifies the role of team members and defines individual responsibilities.

Question 15

Information is coordinated amongst Business Analyst teams through ___________.
A)secret handshakes
B)predefined templates from past projects
C)growth charts set by company managers
D)document templates set by project methodology or company managers

Accepted Answer

Information is coordinated amongst Business Analyst teams through document templates set by project methodology or company managers.
Key Takeaway: When working together in a team setting, Business Analysts must communicate with one another in a methodical and consistent manner. Project document templates that are set by the Business Analysts or company managers provide a consistent manner of sharing information and keeping essential records of project activities.

Question 16

Samsung's new marketing project requires extra funding and a longer timeline to complete since more complexities have been uncovered. This is an example of _____________.
A)creepy managers and analysts
B)scope creep
C)business case creep
D)feasibility study creep

Accepted Answer

Samsung's new marketing project requires extra funding and a longer timeline to complete since more complexities have been uncovered. This is an example of scope creep.
Key Takeaway: Scope creep is a common project complication whereby the scope of the project (needed resources, expected timeline) are not sufficient to complete the final requirements. Scope creep is the main reason for projects to become bloated and go over budget and beyond their deadlines. Scope creep occurs partly due to ill-defined definition of project activities in the initial phases.

Question 17

Canon's North American headquarters commissions a Business Analyst to conduct a current state assessment of operations. The Business Analyst is likely to use the following techniques EXCEPT _________.
A)organizational charts
B)geographic maps
C)data flow diagrams
D)future share prices' projections

Accepted Answer

Canon's North American headquarters commissions a Business Analyst to conduct a current state assessment of operations. The Business Analyst is likely to use such techniques as organizational charts, geographic maps, and data flow diagrams.
Key Takeaway: Current state assessments of a company's operations to better understand business problems. Techniques employed by Business Analysts include organizational charts that show clearly the roles and responsibilities of all involved in a project. They also include geographic maps that illustrate marketing reach as well as data flow diagrams.

Question 18

As part of his work with a local printing company, a Business Analyst uses _____________ to identify the conditions that initiated the company's loss of 5% of corporate clients in the previous fiscal year.
A)root cause analysis
B)root result analysis
C)marginal analysis
D)root result definition

Accepted Answer

As part of his work with a local printing company, a Business Analyst uses Root Cause Analysis (RCA) to identify the conditions that initiated the company's loss of 5% of corporate clients in the previous fiscal year.
Key Takeaway: Root Cause Analysis (RCA) is an exploratory method used in business analysis. A Business Analyst breaks down the nature of a process or procedure to determine the root cause of the problem. RCA allows for a methodical and systemic approach to understanding the nature of a business problem.

Question 19

__________ techniques are used to identify as many potential solutions to a business problem as possible.
A)interviewing
B)brainstorming
C)questionnaires
D)online surveys

Accepted Answer

Brainstorming techniques are used to identify as many potential solutions to a business problem as possible.
Key Takeaway: Brainstorming is a popular technique used by Business Analysts to develop a number of potential solutions to a business problem as possible. The technique allows for a Business Analyst to facilitate a discussion amongst project team members. Each potential solutions strengths and weaknesses are explored before a decision is made on a solution.

Question 20

How did famous management thinker Joseph Juran define quality?
A)Achieving six sigma
B)Zero defect manufacturing
C)Value for cost
D)Fitness for use
E)Successful scope verification

Accepted Answer

Joseph Juran is one management thinker we think all BAs should know about. Ever been asked what is quality? It's a tough question to answer. We think the "fitness for use" definition Juran came up with is a good framework to think about quality. It implies a balance between managing defect and not spending too much for quality that isn't really needed.
Key Take Away: Remember "fitness for use" as a definition if you ever need to remind someone that they are going overboard in quality requirements. For instance, a brake disc doesn't need to be perfectly shiny - it needs to stop your car. That's what it's use is.

Quiz 5: Requirements Planning Monitoring

One of the knowledge areas in the BABOK is ______________ planning and monitoring.

What is Pareto's Law?

One of the tasks of requirements planning and management is to identify team roles for the project. These are important factors in choosing a specific person for a role EXCEPT __________.

The executive sponsor has overall responsibility for the project at the management level. A Business Analyst typically reports to the executive sponsor.

Boris wants to figure out how much more his company should invest into the quality of a certain product. What tool would be most effective for this exercise?

During requirements planning and management, the role of the Project Manager is to ________.

One of the team roles in requirements planning and management is that of 'trainer'. A trainer provides the following services EXCEPT ________________.

The _____________ matrix is a tool to show graphically the responsibilities of the key players in planning and managing requirements.

A Business Analyst is tasked with compiling a list of all stakeholders where she discovers that one of the stakeholders is an organization. In this instance, she must __________.

A questionnaire to identified stakeholders is designed to __________.

As part of engaging stakeholders, a Business Analyst can choose a direct method of information-seeking such as a(an) _ or an indirect method such as a(an) _.

The questionnaire method for gathering information from stakeholders can have the following shortcoming: ____________

Following the identification of key stakeholders when planning and managing requirements, a Business Analyst must summarize the impact of each stakeholder by outlining the following EXCEPT __________.

The goal of Business Analysts' work division strategy is as following EXCEPT ______________.

Information is coordinated amongst Business Analyst teams through ___________.

Samsung's new marketing project requires extra funding and a longer timeline to complete since more complexities have been uncovered. This is an example of _____________.

Canon's North American headquarters commissions a Business Analyst to conduct a current state assessment of operations. The Business Analyst is likely to use the following techniques EXCEPT _________.

As part of his work with a local printing company, a Business Analyst uses _____________ to identify the conditions that initiated the company's loss of 5% of corporate clients in the previous fiscal year.

__________ techniques are used to identify as many potential solutions to a business problem as possible.

How did famous management thinker Joseph Juran define quality?