, Question 1
During needs assessment, a business analyst discovers that the sponsor's stated
problem ('slow customer onboarding') is actually a symptom of a deeper issue:
inconsistent data entry across three legacy systems. Which action best aligns
with PMI-PBA® guidance?
A. Document the symptom as the problem statement and proceed to
requirements elicitation.
B. Conduct a root cause analysis to validate the underlying problem
before defining the solution scope.
C. Recommend replacing all legacy systems immediately to eliminate
data inconsistencies.
D. Escalate to the PMO to enforce data entry standards without further
analysis.
Correct Answer: B - Conduct a root cause analysis to validate the
underlying problem before defining the solution scope.
RATIONALE
PMI-PBA® emphasizes validating the problem before jumping to
solutions. Root cause analysis ensures the real issue is addressed.
Options A and D skip validation; C proposes a solution without
sufficient analysis.
Question 2
A project uses a hybrid approach: predictive for regulatory compliance and
agile for customer-facing features. Which business analysis planning
consideration is MOST critical?
A. Using a single requirements traceability matrix for all workstreams.
B. Tailoring elicitation, documentation, and approval processes to each
workstream's cadence and governance.
C. Mandating daily stand-ups for the compliance team to ensure
alignment.
Page 2
, D. Adopting a document-driven approach for all requirements to satisfy
auditors.
Correct Answer: B - Tailoring elicitation, documentation, and
approval processes to each workstream's cadence and
governance.
RATIONALE
Hybrid environments require tailored BA approaches that respect
different delivery cadences and governance. A single approach (A, C,
D) ignores the distinct needs of each workstream.
Question 3
A business analyst is eliciting requirements for a new CRM system. The
product owner insists on using only user stories, while the compliance officer
requires formal signed-off specifications. Which technique best reconciles
these needs?
A. Use user stories for all requirements and obtain verbal sign-off from
compliance.
B. Create a hybrid requirements package: user stories for development
and formal specifications for compliance-critical requirements.
C. Adopt only formal specifications to ensure compliance, ignoring agile
practices.
D. Escalate the conflict to the PMO for a decision on documentation
format.
Correct Answer: B - Create a hybrid requirements package: user
stories for development and formal specifications for
compliance-critical requirements.
Page 3
, RATIONALE
PMI-PBA® promotes tailoring documentation to stakeholder needs. A
hybrid approach satisfies both agile delivery and compliance. Options
A and C ignore one stakeholder; D avoids the BA's responsibility to
facilitate agreement.
Question 4
During requirements analysis, a BA identifies that two stakeholder groups have
conflicting interpretations of 'real-time data.' Which action is MOST
appropriate?
A. Document both interpretations as separate requirements and let the
developers decide.
B. Facilitate a session to define measurable acceptance criteria and a
shared definition of 'real-time.'
C. Choose the interpretation that aligns with the technical architecture.
D. Ask the sponsor to arbitrate without further analysis.
Correct Answer: B - Facilitate a session to define measurable
acceptance criteria and a shared definition of 'real-time.'
RATIONALE
PMI-PBA® requires clarifying ambiguous terms through facilitated
sessions and measurable criteria. A defers to developers; C assumes
technical bias; D skips analysis.
Question 5
A solution has been implemented, but post-implementation metrics show that
user adoption is low despite meeting functional requirements. Which
evaluation activity should the BA prioritize?
A. Conduct a defect triage to identify functional gaps.
B. Perform a root cause analysis focusing on non-functional and
organizational factors.
Page 4
During needs assessment, a business analyst discovers that the sponsor's stated
problem ('slow customer onboarding') is actually a symptom of a deeper issue:
inconsistent data entry across three legacy systems. Which action best aligns
with PMI-PBA® guidance?
A. Document the symptom as the problem statement and proceed to
requirements elicitation.
B. Conduct a root cause analysis to validate the underlying problem
before defining the solution scope.
C. Recommend replacing all legacy systems immediately to eliminate
data inconsistencies.
D. Escalate to the PMO to enforce data entry standards without further
analysis.
Correct Answer: B - Conduct a root cause analysis to validate the
underlying problem before defining the solution scope.
RATIONALE
PMI-PBA® emphasizes validating the problem before jumping to
solutions. Root cause analysis ensures the real issue is addressed.
Options A and D skip validation; C proposes a solution without
sufficient analysis.
Question 2
A project uses a hybrid approach: predictive for regulatory compliance and
agile for customer-facing features. Which business analysis planning
consideration is MOST critical?
A. Using a single requirements traceability matrix for all workstreams.
B. Tailoring elicitation, documentation, and approval processes to each
workstream's cadence and governance.
C. Mandating daily stand-ups for the compliance team to ensure
alignment.
Page 2
, D. Adopting a document-driven approach for all requirements to satisfy
auditors.
Correct Answer: B - Tailoring elicitation, documentation, and
approval processes to each workstream's cadence and
governance.
RATIONALE
Hybrid environments require tailored BA approaches that respect
different delivery cadences and governance. A single approach (A, C,
D) ignores the distinct needs of each workstream.
Question 3
A business analyst is eliciting requirements for a new CRM system. The
product owner insists on using only user stories, while the compliance officer
requires formal signed-off specifications. Which technique best reconciles
these needs?
A. Use user stories for all requirements and obtain verbal sign-off from
compliance.
B. Create a hybrid requirements package: user stories for development
and formal specifications for compliance-critical requirements.
C. Adopt only formal specifications to ensure compliance, ignoring agile
practices.
D. Escalate the conflict to the PMO for a decision on documentation
format.
Correct Answer: B - Create a hybrid requirements package: user
stories for development and formal specifications for
compliance-critical requirements.
Page 3
, RATIONALE
PMI-PBA® promotes tailoring documentation to stakeholder needs. A
hybrid approach satisfies both agile delivery and compliance. Options
A and C ignore one stakeholder; D avoids the BA's responsibility to
facilitate agreement.
Question 4
During requirements analysis, a BA identifies that two stakeholder groups have
conflicting interpretations of 'real-time data.' Which action is MOST
appropriate?
A. Document both interpretations as separate requirements and let the
developers decide.
B. Facilitate a session to define measurable acceptance criteria and a
shared definition of 'real-time.'
C. Choose the interpretation that aligns with the technical architecture.
D. Ask the sponsor to arbitrate without further analysis.
Correct Answer: B - Facilitate a session to define measurable
acceptance criteria and a shared definition of 'real-time.'
RATIONALE
PMI-PBA® requires clarifying ambiguous terms through facilitated
sessions and measurable criteria. A defers to developers; C assumes
technical bias; D skips analysis.
Question 5
A solution has been implemented, but post-implementation metrics show that
user adoption is low despite meeting functional requirements. Which
evaluation activity should the BA prioritize?
A. Conduct a defect triage to identify functional gaps.
B. Perform a root cause analysis focusing on non-functional and
organizational factors.
Page 4
