LADWP Systems Analyst Exam 2026/2027 –Verified
Questions & Answers with Detailed Explanations | Class Code
1596 Study Guide University of Southern California
Prepare for the LADWP Systems Analyst (Class Code 1596) Examination with
exam-style multiple-choice questions covering Analytical Ability, Interpersonal
Skills, Teamwork, Written Communication, and Technology Application (including
office productivity tools, LAN configurations, computer hardware, operating
systems, database design, SDLC methodology, cloud-based computing services,
disaster recovery systems, and ITSM frameworks). Each question includes a
verified updated answer and a detailed rationale to support concept mastery,
retention, and first-attempt passing success. This organized digital study guide is
ideal for Stuvia and Docsity buyers seeking a concise, sale-ready LADWP Systems
Analyst exam resource.
Section 1: Analytical Ability & Business Analysis (Questions 1–60)
1. A systems analyst is gathering requirements for a new utility customer
information system. Which approach is most effective for identifying
differences between what users currently need and what the existing
system provides?
A. Increase server capacity
B. Replace the database immediately
C. Perform a gap analysis
D. Develop the user interface first
Answer: C. Perform a gap analysis
Explanation: A gap analysis compares the current state with the desired
,future state and identifies missing capabilities, process deficiencies, and
functional requirements. For a utility organization, this can reveal gaps
involving customer service, billing, outage communication, data integration,
reporting, and security. Increasing server capacity may address
performance but does not identify requirements gaps. Replacing the
database before understanding the problem is premature, while designing
the interface first can result in building functionality that does not satisfy
actual business needs.
2. Which requirement is the best example of a functional requirement for a
utility work-management application?
A. The system shall allow supervisors to assign work orders to field crews
B. The application shall have 99.9 percent availability
C. The application shall encrypt sensitive data
D. The system shall respond within two seconds
Answer: A. The system shall allow supervisors to assign work orders to
field crews
Explanation: A functional requirement describes what the system must do.
Allowing supervisors to assign work orders is a specific system function.
Availability, encryption, and response time describe qualities or constraints
on how the system performs and are therefore nonfunctional requirements.
Distinguishing functional and nonfunctional requirements helps analysts
create complete specifications and prevents important operational
expectations from being overlooked.
3. A stakeholder says, "The system needs to be user-friendly." What should
the systems analyst do first?
A. Interpret user-friendly as a response time of less than one second
B. Remove the statement because it cannot be tested
,C. Convert it directly into a database requirement
D. Ask clarifying questions and define measurable usability criteria
Answer: D. Ask clarifying questions and define measurable usability criteria
Explanation: "User-friendly" is subjective and cannot be adequately tested
without clarification. The analyst should determine what users mean, such
as intuitive navigation, limited training requirements, accessibility,
consistent terminology, or a specified task-completion rate. Measurable
acceptance criteria can then be created. This illustrates the analyst's role
in transforming vague stakeholder expectations into clear, verifiable
requirements.
4. A business owner requests a new dashboard but cannot explain which
decisions it will support. What is the best response from the systems
analyst?
A. Build the dashboard immediately using every available metric
B. Ask the database administrator to choose the metrics
C. Clarify the business decisions and key performance indicators the dashboard
must support
D. Defer the request until the next fiscal year
Answer: C. Clarify the business decisions and key performance indicators
the dashboard must support
Explanation: A dashboard is only valuable if it supports specific decisions.
The analyst should work with the business owner to identify the decisions to
be made, the key performance indicators (KPIs) that inform those decisions,
and the data sources required. Building without this clarity leads to wasted
effort and unused reports.
5. During a feasibility study for a new enterprise resource planning (ERP)
system, which factor is considered part of technical feasibility?
, A. Whether the organization has the budget to purchase the system
B. Whether the system can be integrated with existing infrastructure
C. Whether users will accept the new system
D. Whether the project aligns with organizational strategy
Answer: B. Whether the system can be integrated with existing
infrastructure
Explanation: Technical feasibility assesses whether the proposed system
can be developed and operated with the available technology, skills, and
infrastructure. Budget is part of economic feasibility, user acceptance is
part of operational feasibility, and strategic alignment is part of
organizational feasibility.
6. A systems analyst is documenting the current state of a business
process. Which tool is most appropriate for creating a visual
representation of the sequence of activities, decision points, and actors
involved?
A. Entity-relationship diagram
B. Data flow diagram
C. Swimlane flowchart
D. Gantt chart
Answer: C. Swimlane flowchart
Explanation: A swimlane flowchart shows the sequence of activities, decision
points, and the actors (departments or roles) responsible for each step.
Entity-relationship diagrams model data relationships, data flow diagrams
show data movement, and Gantt charts display project schedules.
7. In a cost-benefit analysis for a proposed system, which of the following is
an intangible benefit?
A. Reduced annual software licensing costs
Questions & Answers with Detailed Explanations | Class Code
1596 Study Guide University of Southern California
Prepare for the LADWP Systems Analyst (Class Code 1596) Examination with
exam-style multiple-choice questions covering Analytical Ability, Interpersonal
Skills, Teamwork, Written Communication, and Technology Application (including
office productivity tools, LAN configurations, computer hardware, operating
systems, database design, SDLC methodology, cloud-based computing services,
disaster recovery systems, and ITSM frameworks). Each question includes a
verified updated answer and a detailed rationale to support concept mastery,
retention, and first-attempt passing success. This organized digital study guide is
ideal for Stuvia and Docsity buyers seeking a concise, sale-ready LADWP Systems
Analyst exam resource.
Section 1: Analytical Ability & Business Analysis (Questions 1–60)
1. A systems analyst is gathering requirements for a new utility customer
information system. Which approach is most effective for identifying
differences between what users currently need and what the existing
system provides?
A. Increase server capacity
B. Replace the database immediately
C. Perform a gap analysis
D. Develop the user interface first
Answer: C. Perform a gap analysis
Explanation: A gap analysis compares the current state with the desired
,future state and identifies missing capabilities, process deficiencies, and
functional requirements. For a utility organization, this can reveal gaps
involving customer service, billing, outage communication, data integration,
reporting, and security. Increasing server capacity may address
performance but does not identify requirements gaps. Replacing the
database before understanding the problem is premature, while designing
the interface first can result in building functionality that does not satisfy
actual business needs.
2. Which requirement is the best example of a functional requirement for a
utility work-management application?
A. The system shall allow supervisors to assign work orders to field crews
B. The application shall have 99.9 percent availability
C. The application shall encrypt sensitive data
D. The system shall respond within two seconds
Answer: A. The system shall allow supervisors to assign work orders to
field crews
Explanation: A functional requirement describes what the system must do.
Allowing supervisors to assign work orders is a specific system function.
Availability, encryption, and response time describe qualities or constraints
on how the system performs and are therefore nonfunctional requirements.
Distinguishing functional and nonfunctional requirements helps analysts
create complete specifications and prevents important operational
expectations from being overlooked.
3. A stakeholder says, "The system needs to be user-friendly." What should
the systems analyst do first?
A. Interpret user-friendly as a response time of less than one second
B. Remove the statement because it cannot be tested
,C. Convert it directly into a database requirement
D. Ask clarifying questions and define measurable usability criteria
Answer: D. Ask clarifying questions and define measurable usability criteria
Explanation: "User-friendly" is subjective and cannot be adequately tested
without clarification. The analyst should determine what users mean, such
as intuitive navigation, limited training requirements, accessibility,
consistent terminology, or a specified task-completion rate. Measurable
acceptance criteria can then be created. This illustrates the analyst's role
in transforming vague stakeholder expectations into clear, verifiable
requirements.
4. A business owner requests a new dashboard but cannot explain which
decisions it will support. What is the best response from the systems
analyst?
A. Build the dashboard immediately using every available metric
B. Ask the database administrator to choose the metrics
C. Clarify the business decisions and key performance indicators the dashboard
must support
D. Defer the request until the next fiscal year
Answer: C. Clarify the business decisions and key performance indicators
the dashboard must support
Explanation: A dashboard is only valuable if it supports specific decisions.
The analyst should work with the business owner to identify the decisions to
be made, the key performance indicators (KPIs) that inform those decisions,
and the data sources required. Building without this clarity leads to wasted
effort and unused reports.
5. During a feasibility study for a new enterprise resource planning (ERP)
system, which factor is considered part of technical feasibility?
, A. Whether the organization has the budget to purchase the system
B. Whether the system can be integrated with existing infrastructure
C. Whether users will accept the new system
D. Whether the project aligns with organizational strategy
Answer: B. Whether the system can be integrated with existing
infrastructure
Explanation: Technical feasibility assesses whether the proposed system
can be developed and operated with the available technology, skills, and
infrastructure. Budget is part of economic feasibility, user acceptance is
part of operational feasibility, and strategic alignment is part of
organizational feasibility.
6. A systems analyst is documenting the current state of a business
process. Which tool is most appropriate for creating a visual
representation of the sequence of activities, decision points, and actors
involved?
A. Entity-relationship diagram
B. Data flow diagram
C. Swimlane flowchart
D. Gantt chart
Answer: C. Swimlane flowchart
Explanation: A swimlane flowchart shows the sequence of activities, decision
points, and the actors (departments or roles) responsible for each step.
Entity-relationship diagrams model data relationships, data flow diagrams
show data movement, and Gantt charts display project schedules.
7. In a cost-benefit analysis for a proposed system, which of the following is
an intangible benefit?
A. Reduced annual software licensing costs
