Pass the BCS Business Analysis BAPv5 Questions and answers with CertsForce

A cost is an expenditure or sacrifice incurred or expected to be incurred as a result of a business change. A benefit is an advantage or improvement that is gained or expected to be gained as a result of a business change. Costs and benefits can be classified as tangible or intangible, depending on whether they can be measured in monetary terms or not. Therefore, options B and D are correct answers, as they describe intangible costs and benefits that are not easily quantified or valued. Intangible costs include the temporary reduction in productivity due to the introduction of new business policies and processes. Intangible benefits include the enhancement of the company’s reputation as the market leader due to being the first to receive compliance certification. Option A is not a correct answer, as tangible costs are not described in the extract. Tangible costs are those that can be measured in monetary terms, such as the cost of purchasing new equipment or hiring new staff. Option C is not a correct answer, as tangible benefits are not described in the extract. Tangible benefits are those that can be measured in monetary terms, such as the increase in revenue or decrease in expenses.

References: BCS Practitioner Certificate in BAP Specimen, page 20.

The pair of techniques that Elizabeth should use first to understand the concerns of operational staff and line managers are interviews and rich pictures. Interviews are a way of eliciting information from stakeholders by asking them open-ended questions and listening to their responses. Interviews can help Elizabeth to explore the views, opinions, needs, and expectations of the staff and managers regarding the process improvement project. Rich pictures are a way of capturing complex situations in a visual form by using symbols, icons, cartoons, or diagrams. Rich pictures can help Elizabeth to illustrate the current problems and issues faced by the staff and managers, as well as their emotions and relationships. Option D is the correct answer.

Gap analysis is a process of identifying and assessing the differences between the current state and desired state of an organisation or project. It helps to determine what needs to be done to achieve business objectives or solve business problems. Gap analysis typically involves three main steps: understand the existing situation, compare the desired situation and existing situation, and consider possible actions to address the gaps. Therefore, options A, B and C are correct answers, as they cover these steps in gap analysis. Option D is not a correct answer, as defining solutions to close gaps is not part of gap analysis itself, but rather a subsequent step that follows gap analysis. Gap analysis helps to identify what needs to be done, but not how it should be done. Option E is not a correct answer, as delivering solutions to close gaps is not part of gap analysis itself, but rather a final step that follows defining solutions. Gap analysis helps to identify what needs to be done, but not how it should be done or implemented.

References: BCS Practitioner Certificate in BAP Specimen, page 25.

POPIT is a technique for taking a holistic view when investigating a business situation or problem. It helps to ensure that all aspects and dimensions of a business situation or problem are considered and addressed. POPIT consists of four elements: People, Processes, Organisation and Information and technology. Therefore, options C and D are correct answers, as they are the elements of POPIT that consider these issues respectively. Option C considers issue 1: The suggested changes to the business structure will affect our relationships with suppliers. Organisation is the element that describes how an organisation is structured and governed internally and externally. It helps to identify who are involved in decision making and authority within an organisation and how an organisation relates to its stakeholders outside its boundaries. Issue 1 relates to organisation, as it involves changes to the business structure that will affect how the organisation interacts with its suppliers, who are external stakeholders. Option D considers issue 2: The proposed electronic data sharing with our suppliers will raise legal accessibility issues. Information and technology is the element that describes how information and data are created, stored, accessed, used and communicated within an organisation using technology systems and tools. It helps to identify what information and data are needed and available for an organisation to perform its activities and processes effectively and efficiently using appropriate technology systems and tools. Issue 2 relates to information and technology, as it involves electronic data sharing with suppliers using technology systems that will raise legal accessibility issues regarding information security and privacy. Option A does not consider any issue in this scenario. People is the element that describes who are involved in performing or supporting the activities and processes within an organisation. It helps to identify what skills, knowledge, attitudes and behaviours are required and exhibited by people within an organisation to perform their roles and responsibilities effectively and efficiently. There is no issue in this scenario that relates to people. Option B does not consider any issue in this scenario. Processes is the element that describes what activities and tasks are performed within an organisation to achieve its objectives and outcomes. It helps to identify how activities and tasks are sequenced, coordinated, controlled and measured within an organisation to ensure quality and consistency. There is no issue in this scenario that relates to processes. Option E is not a valid element of POPIT. Procedures is not an element of POPIT, but a term that refers to the detailed steps or instructions for performing a specific activity or task within a process.

References: BCS Practitioner Certificate in BAP Specimen, page 50.

An event is something that happens or occurs within or outside an organisation or project that triggers or affects an activity or process. Events can be classified into three types: external, internal and time-based. Therefore, option B is the correct answer, as it correctly classifies the events of interest in this scenario according to their types. External events are events that originate from outside the organisation or project and are beyond its control or influence. An example of an external event in this scenario is customers ordering through the website, as it originates from outside TeamClothing and is beyond its control or influence. There are two external events in this scenario. Internal events are events that originate from within the organisation or project and are under its control or influence. An example of an internal event in this scenario is shop sales assistants ordering items for a customer online, as it originates from within TeamClothing and is under its control or influence. There are no internal events in this scenario. Time-based events are events that occur at regular intervals or on specific dates or times. An example of a time-based event in this scenario is sending a monthly catalogue to website customers, as it occurs at regular intervals (every month). There is one time-based event in this scenario.

References: BCS Practitioner Certificate in BAP Specimen, page 46.

 A stakeholder management strategy is a plan for how to engage and communicate with stakeholders based on their level of interest and influence in the organisation or project. A stakeholder management strategy can vary depending on the stakeholder’s position on the power/interest grid, which has four quadrants: high power, high interest; high power, low interest; low power, high interest; and low power, low interest. Therefore, option C is the correct answer, as it represents appropriate stakeholder management strategies for Harvey based on his position on the grid before and after his role change. Watch means to monitor the stakeholder’s level of interest and influence and keep them informed of relevant developments. This is suitable for when Harvey was in the low power, low interest quadrant, as he had little authority or concern over the project. Constant active management means to involve the stakeholder closely in the project and seek their input and feedback regularly. This is suitable for when Harvey moved to the high power, high interest quadrant, as he became the sponsor and owner of the project. Option A is not a correct answer, as keep informed means to provide the stakeholder with sufficient information and updates to maintain their interest and support. This is more suitable for when Harvey was in the low power, high interest quadrant, not the low power, low interest quadrant. Option B is not a correct answer, as ignore means to disregard the stakeholder’s views and needs and exclude them from communication. This is not a good strategy for any stakeholder, especially one who has some power or influence over the project. Option D is not a correct answer, as constant active management means to involve the stakeholder closely in the project and seek their input and feedback regularly. This is more suitable for when Harvey was in the high power, high interest quadrant, not the low power, low interest quadrant.

References: BCS Practitioner Certificate in BAP Specimen, page 21.

Document analysis is a technique for collecting information from existing documents within an organisation or project. It helps to understand the current situation or problem and identify any gaps or issues that may exist. Therefore, option D is the correct answer, as document analysis would be the most effective technique in establishing the need for each item of paperwork. Document analysis would help to review the content and purpose of each item of paperwork and compare it with the organisation’s objectives and requirements. Document analysis would help to evaluate the usefulness and relevance of each item of paperwork and identify any duplication or redundancy that may exist. Document analysis would help to recommend any changes or improvements to each item of paperwork and justify them with evidence and rationale. Option A is not a correct answer, as questionnaire is not the most effective technique in establishing the need for each item of paperwork. Questionnaire is a technique for collecting information from stakeholders by asking them predefined questions in written form. It helps to elicit quantitative or qualitative data from a large number of stakeholders in an efficient and consistent way. Questionnaire would not be the most effective technique in establishing the need for each item of paperwork, as it may not provide enough detail or explanation for each item of paperwork and may be influenced by stakeholder bias or preference. Option B is not a correct answer, as workshop is not the most effective technique in establishing the need for each item of paperwork. Workshop is a technique for conducting group discussions and activities with stakeholders to elicit, analyse, validate and prioritise their views and needs. It helps to facilitate effective communication and collaboration among stakeholders and resolve conflicts or issues. Workshop would not be the most effective technique in establishing the need for each item of paperwork, as it may not be practical or feasible to involve all relevant stakeholders in a workshop and may be affected by stakeholder dynamics or politics. Option C is not a correct answer, as interviews are not the most effective technique in establishing the need for each item of paperwork. Interviews are a technique for collecting information from stakeholders by asking them open-ended questions in verbal form. It helps to elicit rich and detailed information from individual stakeholders in an interactive and flexible way. Interviews would not be the most effective technique in establishing the need for each item of paperwork, as it may be time-consuming and costly to interview all relevant stakeholders and may be subject to stakeholder interpretation or opinion.

References: BCS Practitioner Certificate in BAP Specimen, page 35.

A workshop is a technique for conducting group discussions and activities with stakeholders to elicit, analyse, validate and prioritise their views and needs. It helps to facilitate effective communication and collaboration among stakeholders and resolve conflicts or issues. Therefore, options B, D and E are correct answers, as they are possible reasons why Paul did not use a workshop to avoid delays. They describe different challenges or constraints that may prevent or limit the use of a workshop technique. Option B describes a challenge related to the geographical location of stakeholders. If the stakeholders are located in different time zones, it may be difficult or impractical to arrange a workshop that suits their availability and preferences. Option D describes a challenge related to the availability of stakeholders. If the key stakeholders have busy or conflicting schedules, it may be hard or impossible to organise a workshop that involves all of them at the same time. Option E describes a constraint related to the venue of the workshop. If a neutral venue is available for stakeholder discussions, it may be preferable or necessary to use it instead of a workshop, as it may reduce bias or influence from any stakeholder group. Option A is not a correct answer, as it is not a reason why Paul did not use a workshop to avoid delays. It describes an issue that may arise during a workshop, but not prevent or limit its use. If one stakeholder has a dominant personality, it may affect the dynamics and outcomes of the workshop, but it can be managed by using appropriate facilitation skills and techniques. Option C is not a correct answer, as it is not a reason why Paul did not use a workshop to avoid delays. It describes an objective that may be achieved by using a workshop, but not prevent or limit its use. If consensus from stakeholders needs to be established, it may be beneficial or essential to use a workshop, as it can help to reach a common understanding and agreement among stakeholders.

References: BCS Practitioner Certificate in BAP Specimen, page 41.

A Business Activity Model (BAM) is a high-level view of the business activities that take place within an organisation. It shows how activities are related to each other and how they contribute to achieving business objectives. A BAM consists of five types of high-level activities: directing, enabling, doing, monitoring and controlling. A BAM can also show dependencies between activities using arrows to indicate which activity depends on another activity to start or finish. Therefore, option A is the correct answer, as it shows the dependencies between the four activities on the BAM correctly. Activity c (define lending policies) is a directing activity that sets the rules and guidelines for lending e-books to customers. It depends on no other activity and precedes all other activities. Activity b (establish licensing arrangements with publishers) is an enabling activity that secures the rights and permissions to lend e-books from different publishers. It depends on activity c and precedes activity a. Activity a (lend books) is a doing activity that provides e-books to customers according to their requests and preferences. It depends on activity b and precedes activity d. Activity d (monitor lending usage) is a monitoring activity that tracks and records how customers use and return e-books. It depends on activity a and follows all other activities.

References: BCS Practitioner Certificate in BAP Specimen, page 24.

CATWOE is a technique for exploring stakeholder business perspectives by identifying six elements: Customer, Actor, Transformation, Worldview, Owner and Environment. It helps to understand how different stakeholders perceive a business situation or problem and what they expect from a solution. Therefore, option D is the correct answer, as Paul and his business partner are in disagreement on their worldview element of CATWOE. Worldview is the element that describes the beliefs, values, assumptions or principles that underpin a stakeholder’s perspective. It helps to explain why a stakeholder thinks that a business situation or problem is worth addressing or solving. Paul and his business partner have different worldviews regarding the possibility of extracting natural gas from their land. Paul believes that it is a safe, profitable and reasonable option that will improve their financial situation. His business partner believes that it is a dangerous, unattractive and unacceptable option that will compromise their vision of living off the land. Option A is not a correct answer, as Paul and his business partner are not in disagreement on their customer element of CATWOE. Customer is the element that describes who benefits from or is affected by a business situation or problem or its solution. It helps to identify who are the main beneficiaries or victims of a business situation or problem or its solution. Paul and his business partner have the same customer, which is themselves as the owners of the farm. Option B is not a correct answer, as Paul and his business partner are not in disagreement on their actor element of CATWOE. Actor is the element that describes who carries out or performs a business situation or problem or its solution. It helps to identify who are responsible for implementing or delivering a business situation or problem or its solution. Paul and his business partner have the same actor, which is themselves as the owners of the farm. Option C is not a correct answer, as Paul and his business partner are not in disagreement on their transformation element of CATWOE. Transformation is the element that describes what changes or processes take place in a business situation or problem or its solution. It helps to identify what inputs are converted into outputs in a business situation or problem or its solution. Paul and his business partner have the same transformation, which is extracting natural gas from their land.

References: BCS Practitioner Certificate in BAP Specimen, page 37.