BAPv5 Practice Exam Questions with Answers BCS Practitioner Certificate in Business Analysis Practice v5.2 Certification

The activity ‘monitor customer satisfaction’ would establish whether the KPI and its associated performance objective is being achieved, as it would involve collecting and analysing the data from the customer survey. The other activities are related to defining, agreeing or delivering customer satisfaction, but not measuring it. Therefore, option A is the correct answer.

A logical dependency arrow on a BAM shows that one activity depends on another activity for its completion or initiation. In this question, the doing activity of ‘sell bespoke kitchens’ depends on the planning activity of ‘determine range of products’, as the customers need to select products from a predefined range when they design their kitchens. Therefore, option C is the correct answer.

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.

A brand is a name, term, design, symbol or any other feature that identifies one seller’s good or service as distinct from those of other sellers. A brand perception is how customers and potential customers view a brand based on their experiences, associations and impressions. Therefore, option A is the best choice, as independent industry websites are likely to provide unbiased and reliable information on how customers perceive different brands in the market. They may also include customer reviews, ratings and feedback that can help measure customer satisfaction and loyalty. Option B is not a good choice, as the company website is likely to provide biased and selective information on its own brand that may not reflect how customers actually perceive it. It may also omit negative aspects or criticisms that could affect its image or reputation. Option C is not a good choice, as the company’s organisational structure is not relevant to its brand perception. It may show how the company is organised internally, but it does not indicate how customers view its products or services externally. Option D is not a good choice, as the company’s complaints procedures are not sufficient to measure its brand perception. They may show how the company handles customer issues or problems, but they do not capture how customers feel about its overall quality or value.

A business case is a formal written proposal that details the costs and benefits of a proposed business change or solution. It helps to justify and secure the approval and funding for a proposed business change or solution. Costs and benefits can be classified into two types: tangible and intangible. Therefore, option D is the correct answer, as it identifies which categories of costs and benefits are described in this extract respectively. Intangible costs are costs that have no physical existence and cannot be measured or quantified easily by human senses. Examples of intangible costs are reputation, image, morale etc. An example of intangible costs in this extract is significant investment in terms of software licenses and annual maintenance fees, which will not be negotiable until year four of the proposal, as it has no physical existence and cannot be measured or quantified easily by human senses. Tangible benefits are benefits that have physical existence and can be measured or quantified easily by human senses. Examples of tangible benefits are revenue, profit, market share etc. An example of tangible benefits in this extract is improved management information, in addition to the boost it will give to our image with our established customers, as it has physical existence and can be measured or quantified easily by human senses. Option A is not a correct answer, as it does not identify which categories of costs and benefits are described in this extract respectively. Tangible costs are costs that have physical existence and can be measured or quantified easily by human senses. Examples of tangible costs are equipment, materials, labour etc. There is no example of tangible costs in this extract. Intangible benefits are benefits that have no physical existence and cannot be measured or quantified easily by human senses. Examples of intangible benefits are satisfaction, loyalty, quality etc. There is no example of intangible benefits in this extract (although image could be considered as an intangible benefit). Option B is not a correct answer, as it does not identify which categories of costs and benefits are described in this extract respectively. Tangible benefits are benefits that have physical existence and can be measured or quantified easily by human senses. Examples of tangible benefits are revenue, profit, market share etc. An example of tangible benefits in this extract is improved management information, in addition to the boost it will give to our image with our established customers, as it has physical existence and can be measured or quantified easily by human senses. Intangible costs are costs that have no physical existence and cannot be measured or quantified easily by human senses. Examples of intangible costs are reputation, image, morale etc. An example of intangible costs in this extract is significant investment in terms of software licenses and annual maintenance fees, which will not be negotiable until year four of the proposal, as it has no physical existence and cannot be measured or quantified easily by human senses. Option C is not a correct answer, as it does not identify any category of cost or benefit that has been described in this extract.

A prototype is a simplified version of a proposed system or product that can be used to demonstrate its functionality and usability to the stakeholders. A prototype can be useful for communicating changes that involve new technology or software, as it allows the users to interact with the system and provide feedback. Therefore, option D is the best choice, as it would allow the scheduling team to see how the new telephony software and online booking system would work and how they would affect their process. Option A is not a good choice, as a business process model is a graphical representation of the activities, inputs, outputs and resources involved in a business process. It would not show how the new software would work or how the team would be split. Option B is not a good choice, as a business activity model is a high-level view of the business activities that take place within an organisation. It would not show the details of the scheduling process or the new software. Option C is not a good choice, as POPIT is an acronym for People, Organisation, Process, Information and Technology. It is a framework for taking a holistic view of a business situation, but it is not a tool for communicating changes.

A competency is a combination of skills, knowledge and behaviours that enable a person to perform a task or role effectively and efficiently. Therefore, option D is the correct answer, as it describes the competencies required for this role based on the job advert. Business case development is a competency that involves creating and presenting a formal written proposal that details the costs and benefits of a proposed business change or solution. It helps to justify and secure the approval and funding for a proposed business change or solution. This competency is required for this role, as the job advert states that the business analyst will assist in the development of formal written proposals detailing the cost and benefit of proposed business initiatives. Investigation techniques is a competency that involves using a variety of methods to explore and define complex situations or problems within an organisation or project. It helps to elicit, analyse, validate and prioritise the views and needs of stakeholders and identify the root causes and effects of situations or problems. This competency is required for this role, as the job advert states that the business analyst should be able to use a variety of methods to explore and define complex situations. Business architecture is a competency that involves designing and modelling the structure and relationships of an organisation or project at a high level of abstraction. It helps to understand how an organisation or project operates, delivers value and achieves its objectives and outcomes. This competency is required for this role, as the job advert states that the business analyst should have experience of producing blueprints in terms of processes, management structures, culture and people. Option A is not a correct answer, as it does not describe all the competencies required for this role based on the job advert. Subject matter expertise is a competency that involves having in-depth knowledge and understanding of a specific domain or industry within an organisation or project. It helps to provide insights and guidance on the best practices and standards within a specific domain or industry. This competency is not required for this role, as the job advert does not state that the business analyst should have subject matter expertise in any specific domain or industry. Option B is not a correct answer, as it does not describe all the competencies required for this role based on the job advert. Domain knowledge is a competency that involves having general knowledge and understanding of a broad domain or industry within an organisation or project. It helps to provide context and background on the nature and scope of a domain or industry. This competency is not required for this role, as the job advert does not state that the business analyst should have domain knowledge in any broad domain or industry. Gap analysis is a competency that involves comparing current and desired situations or problems and identifying the differences or gaps between them. It helps to determine what changes or improvements are needed to bridge the gaps and achieve desired situations or problems. This competency is not required for this role, as the job advert does not state that the business analyst should have experience of gap analysis. Option C is not a correct answer, as it does not describe all the competencies required for this role based on the job advert. Requirements engineering is a competency that involves eliciting, analysing, specifying, validating and managing requirements for a system or product within an organisation or project. It helps to ensure that requirements are clear, complete, consistent, testable and traceable throughout the system or product lifecycle. This competency is not required for this role, as the job advert does not state that the business analyst should have experience of requirements engineering.

A risk is an uncertain event or condition that, if it occurs, has a positive or negative effect on one or more project objectives. To ensure that risks are appropriately recorded, they should be documented in a consistent and structured way, such as using a RAID log (Risks, Assumptions, Issues and Dependencies). A RAID log should include information such as the risk description, impact, probability, source, owner, mitigation actions, status and date. Therefore, options B and C are essential for recording risks, as they help to identify where the risk originates from and who is responsible for managing it. Option A is not relevant to recording risks, as it is the name of the tool used to document them. Option D and E are not relevant to recording risks, as they relate to the countermeasures or actions taken to address them, not the risks themselves.

A PESTLE analysis is a technique for identifying and evaluating the political, economic, social, technological, legal and environmental factors that affect an organisation or project. It helps to assess the opportunities and threats that arise from the external environment. Therefore, options A and B are correct answers, as they are categories of factors that can be included in a PESTLE analysis for a small manufacturing company. They describe different aspects of the external environment that influence the company’s situation and prospects. Option A describes a legal factor, which is a factor related to laws, regulations, standards or policies that govern an organisation or project. An example of a legal factor is an amendment to the Data Protection Act, which affects how information about employees’ payroll can be held by an organisation. Option B describes an economic factor, which is a factor related to money, markets, trade or resources that affect an organisation or project. An example of an economic factor is a change in electricity usage calculation by an electricity provider, which affects how much electricity costs for an organisation. Option C is not a correct answer, as political is not a factor that has been discovered in the investigation for the PESTLE analysis. A political factor is a factor related to government, politics, power or conflict that affect an organisation or project. Option D is not a correct answer, as technological is not a factor that has been discovered in the investigation for the PESTLE analysis. A technological factor is a factor related to science, innovation, invention or discovery that affect an organisation or project. Option E is not a correct answer, as environmental is not a factor that has been discovered in the investigation for the PESTLE analysis. An environmental factor is a factor related to nature, ecology, climate or geography that affect an organisation or project.

An enabling activity is an activity that supports or facilitates another activity within an organisation or project. It helps to ensure that another activity can be performed or delivered effectively and efficiently. Therefore, option B is the correct answer, as check adherence to regulation is an enabling activity that supports provide insolvency services, which is the primary doing activity of a BAM reflecting DeanLegal’s business perspective. Check adherence to regulation is an enabling activity, as it involves verifying that the insolvency services provided by DeanLegal comply with the rules and standards set by the Federation of Insolvency Practitioners (FIP). It helps to ensure that DeanLegal can perform its primary doing activity legally and ethically. Option A is not a correct answer, as provide comprehensive support to customers is not an enabling activity that supports provide insolvency services, but another doing activity within DeanLegal’s business perspective. Provide comprehensive support to customers is a doing activity, as it involves delivering value and satisfaction to customers who use DeanLegal’s insolvency services. It helps to achieve DeanLegal’s objectives and outcomes. Option C is not a correct answer, as extend range of services is not an enabling activity that supports provide insolvency services, but a potential change or improvement within DeanLegal’s business perspective. Extend range of services is a change or improvement, as it involves introducing new types of services, such as advice in funding the purchase of capital assets, that DeanLegal may offer to its customers in addition to its insolvency services. It helps to enhance DeanLegal’s performance and potential. Option D is not a correct answer, as recruit experienced negotiators is not an enabling activity that supports provide insolvency services, but a resource audit within DeanLegal’s business perspective. Recruit experienced negotiators is a resource audit, as it involves identifying and evaluating the human resources that DeanLegal has or needs to perform its insolvency services. It helps to assess the availability and quality of DeanLegal’s staff.

The notes that will go into the MOST analysis are a, b and d, as they correspond to the elements of Mission, Strategy and Tactics. The mission is to supply 10% of the local bespoke furniture market by the end of the financial year (a). The strategy is to adopt new 3D printing technologies to gain an advantage when quoting for bespoke furniture designs (d). The tactics are to invest in local radio advertising and appoint a creative team to develop an appropriate advertisement (b). Note c is not part of the MOST analysis, as it is not related to any of the elements.

A customer journey map is a visual representation of the steps and emotions that a customer goes through when interacting with a product or service. It helps to identify the pain points and opportunities for improvement in the customer experience. A customer journey map typically consists of the following elements: stages, actions, thoughts, feelings, touchpoints and opportunities. Therefore, option A is the correct answer, as it matches the elements of the customer journey map for Box F and Box 6. Box F represents the feeling of the customer at the stage of choosing a frame. The feeling is concern at cost, as the customer is worried about the price of the frames and lenses. Box 6 represents the opportunity for improvement at the stage of selecting lenses. The opportunity is to provide clearer information on options and pricing, as this would help the customer to make an informed decision and reduce their anxiety. Option B is not a correct answer, as it does not match the elements of the customer journey map for Box F and Box 6. Box F represents the feeling of the customer, not an opportunity for improvement. Box 6 represents an opportunity for improvement, not a feeling of the customer. Option C is not a correct answer, as it does not match the elements of the customer journey map for Box F and Box 6. Box F represents the feeling of the customer, not an opportunity for improvement. Box 6 represents an opportunity for improvement, not a feeling of the customer. Option D is not a correct answer, as it does not match the elements of the customer journey map for Box F and Box 6. Box F represents the feeling of the customer, not an opportunity for improvement. Box 6 represents an opportunity for improvement, not a feeling of the customer.

An organisation chart is a diagram that shows the structure and relationships of an organisation. It helps to identify who are the members, roles, levels and units of an organisation and how they are connected or related. Therefore, options A and B are correct answers, as they are the information that Sara is likely to have learnt about the sponsor from the organisation chart. Option A is a correct answer, as their position in the company hierarchy is the information that Sara is likely to have learnt about the sponsor from the organisation chart. Their position in the company hierarchy is the level or rank of the sponsor within the organisation’s structure. It helps to indicate their authority, status and influence within the organisation. Option B is a correct answer, as their span of control is the information that Sara is likely to have learnt about the sponsor from the organisation chart. Their span of control is the number of people or units that report directly to the sponsor within the organisation’s structure. It helps to indicate their responsibility, workload and management style within the organisation. Option C is not a correct answer, as their culture within their team is not the information that Sara is likely to have learnt about the sponsor from the organisation chart. Their culture within their team is the shared values, beliefs, norms and behaviours of the sponsor and their team members within the organisation. It helps to indicate their motivation, satisfaction and performance within the organisation. Option D is not a correct answer, as their scope of responsibilities is not the information that Sara is likely to have learnt about the sponsor from the organisation chart. Their scope of responsibilities is the range or extent of tasks or activities that the sponsor has to perform or oversee within the organisation. It helps to indicate their objectives, outcomes and deliverables within the organisation. Option E is not a correct answer, as their preferred management style is not the information that Sara is likely to have learnt about the sponsor from the organisation chart. Their preferred management style is the way or approach that the sponsor uses to lead or direct their team members within the organisation. It helps to indicate their communication, delegation and feedback skills within the organisation.

A high level Business Case is a document that provides a preliminary rationale and justification for a proposed business change or solution. It helps to establish the feasibility and desirability of the project and secure initial approval and funding for further investigation and development. Therefore, option A is the correct answer, as creating a high level Business Case would be the best activity to undertake at this point for introducing a new procurement system. A high level Business Case would help to define the problem or opportunity that motivates the project, identify and compare different procurement solutions based on their expected benefits, costs, risks and impacts, and recommend the preferred option for further analysis and evaluation. A high level Business Case would provide a solid foundation for proceeding with the project and preparing a detailed Business Case later on. Option B is not a correct answer, as creating a detailed Business Case would not be an appropriate activity to undertake at this point for introducing a new procurement system. A detailed Business Case is a document that provides a comprehensive rationale and justification for a proposed business change or solution. It helps to confirm the viability and worthiness of the project and secure final approval and funding for implementation and delivery. A detailed Business Case would require conducting extensive research and analysis on the preferred procurement solution and presenting its definitive benefits, costs, risks and impacts. A detailed Business Case would be premature and unnecessary at this point, as it would depend on the outcome of the high level Business Case first. Option C is not a correct answer, as it is too early to work on the Business Case would not be an appropriate activity to undertake at this point for introducing a new procurement system. Working on the Business Case is an essential activity for any project that involves significant business change or investment. It helps to provide evidence and support for the project and ensure its alignment with the organisation’s strategy and objectives. Working on the Business Case would not be too early at this point, as it would help to establish the feasibility and desirability of the project and secure initial approval and funding for further investigation and development. Option D is not a correct answer, as confirming with the directors the costs and benefits would not be an appropriate activity to undertake at this point for introducing a new procurement system. Confirming with the directors the costs and benefits would require preparing a high level Business Case first to estimate and compare the financial implications of different options and recommend the best one for further development and implementation. Confirming with the directors the costs and benefits without preparing a high level Business Case first would risk providing inaccurate or incomplete information that may not reflect the value or feasibility of the project.

The parts of the Business Change lifecycle that the business analyst will have supported are Realisation, Design and Implementation. Realisation is the phase where the benefits defined in the benefits plan are evaluated and measured. The business analyst will support this phase by assisting in the evaluation of the benefits (a). Design is the phase where the elements that will support the change are defined and developed. The business analyst will support this phase by leading requirements elicitation and clarification activities (b). Implementation is the phase where the change is embedded into the organisation and its processes. The business analyst will support this phase by delivering coaching, training and ongoing support for any changes to existing processes ©.

A SWOT analysis is a technique for identifying and evaluating the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats that affect an organisation or project. It helps to assess the internal and external factors that influence the performance and potential of the organisation or project. Therefore, options A, B and C are correct answers, as they should be included in the SWOT analysis for the company that sells van insurance. They describe different types of factors that affect the company’s situation and prospects. Option A describes an opportunity, which is a favourable or advantageous circumstance or situation that arises from the external environment and that can be exploited to achieve the objectives of the organisation or project. An example of an opportunity is the increase in home shopping, which has led to an increase in delivery drivers and vehicles across both markets. This creates a potential demand for van insurance that the company can cater to. Option B describes a weakness, which is a negative or unfavourable characteristic or situation that arises from the internal environment and that can hinder or prevent the achievement of the objectives of the organisation or project. An example of a weakness is the inability of the call centre to deal with the large influx of calls, which may result in poor customer service, dissatisfaction and loss of business. Option C describes a threat, which is a harmful or adverse circumstance or situation that arises from the external environment and that can endanger or damage the achievement of the objectives of the organisation or project. An example of a threat is the new regulatory hurdles following Brexit, which may affect the company’s ability to trade in Ireland and reduce its market share and revenue. Option D is not a correct answer, as strength is not a factor that has been discovered in the investigation for the SWOT analysis. A strength is a positive or favourable characteristic or situation that arises from the internal environment and that can facilitate or enhance the achievement of the objectives of the organisation or project. Option E is not a correct answer, as technology is not a type of factor that can be included in a SWOT analysis. Technology is an aspect of the external environment that can affect an organisation or project positively or negatively, depending on how it is used or adapted to.