PC-BA-FBA-20 Online Practice Questions

Explanation:
Feasibility assessment is a critical part of developing the Business Case and typically involves four key areas: Business, Technical, Financial, and Legal/Ethical. The assessment that addresses whether a proposed solution or change initiative aligns with the organisation's overall objectives, mission, and strategy is Business Feasibility. This check is vital because if a proposal does not support the strategic direction, it will not deliver the expected value, regardless of its technical or financial viability. It ensures that the change is the right thing for the business to do at a strategic level.
(Reference: BCS Business Analysis Practice C Feasibility Assessment, Business Case Development)

Explanation:
The Requirements Engineering Framework describes the sequence of activities for defining and managing the requirements for a solution.
The core activities typically include:
Requirements Elicitation (gathering requirements).
Requirements Analysis (checking, prioritizing, and modelling).
Requirements Documentation (recording in a catalogue or specification).
Requirements Validation (checking fitness for purpose and completeness).
Requirements Traceability (linking requirements to their source, design, and tests) is a key aspect of Requirements Management, which is the overarching framework for handling requirements changes and status, but it is typically viewed as a component of the ongoing management process rather than a standalone core engineering activity on the same level as Elicitation or Validation.
(Reference: BCS Requirements Engineering C Requirements Engineering Framework and Activities)

Explanation:
A benefits plan outlines how the anticipated benefits of a project or change initiative will be achieved, tracked, and managed. Its primary purpose is to ensure that benefits are realized as planned.
Key Considerations:
Tracking Changes to Requirements: A benefits plan focuses on benefits realization, not changes to requirements.
Quantifying Intangible Benefits: While intangible benefits may be included, the primary focus is on managing all benefits, tangible and intangible.
Tracking and Managing Benefits Realisation: The benefits plan provides a structured approach to monitor progress and ensure benefits are delivered.
Publishing to Shareholders: While stakeholders may review the plan, its primary purpose is internal management, not external communication.
Evaluation of Each Option:
A. It provides a firm basis for tracking the benefits of making changes to requirements:
The benefits plan focuses on overall benefits realization, not specifically on changes to requirements.
Conclusion: This is not correct.
B. It quantifies intangible benefits that could not be quantified when the business case was presented:
While intangible benefits may be included, this is not the primary purpose of the plan.
Conclusion: This is not correct.
C. It provides a firm basis for tracking the business benefits and managing their realisation:
This accurately describes the primary purpose of a benefits plan.
Conclusion: This is correct.
D. It is published to shareholders to show that their investment made will result in tangible benefits for the organisation:
The benefits plan is primarily for internal use, not external reporting.
Conclusion: This is not correct.
Final Recommendation:
The primary purpose of a benefits plan is:
C. It provides a firm basis for tracking the business benefits and managing their realisation.

Explanation:
Successful business change must always be aligned with the strategy of the organisation. The primary purpose of a business change initiative is to achieve a specific business objective, and these objectives are derived directly from the organisation's overall strategy. If a proposed change, whether it's a new system, a process overhaul, or an organisational restructuring, does not support the strategic goals (such as increasing market share, improving efficiency, or enhancing customer satisfaction), it is unlikely to be approved or to deliver true value. The Business Analysis approach, particularly in the initial stages of a project, focuses heavily on understanding the strategic context and ensuring that the needs being addressed are strategic needs. This alignment is crucial for the Business Case to be justifiable and for the final solution to be judged as successful, as success is ultimately measured by the achievement of strategic goals.
(Reference: BCS Foundation Certificate in Business Analysis / BCS Business Analysis Practice C Strategic Context & Rationale for Business Analysis)

Explanation:
The true statements about formal observation are b and d. Formal observation is when a business analyst watches an individual or group perform their work. Statement (b) is true as observing the environment directly helps the analyst understand the physical business environment and how it influences the work. Statement (d) is true because observation is particularly effective for identifying tacit knowledge (unspoken or unwritten rules, shortcuts, or skills) that the worker may take for granted or find difficult to articulate during an interview. Statement (a) is false as observation is a passive technique, not suitable for actively negotiating or resolving conflicts, which is better suited for workshops or interviews. Statement (c) is false as observation does not actively engage a wide range of stakeholders to obtain buy-in.
(Reference: BCS Foundation Certificate in Business Analysis / BCS Business Analysis Practice C Investigative Techniques, Observation)