PMI PROFESSIONAL IN BUSINESS ANALYSIS (PMI-PBA) EXAM
PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
PLUS RATIONALE .
Domain 1: Needs Assessment (Questions 1–10)
1. A business analyst is meeting with stakeholders to understand why
the organization is experiencing a 15% decline in customer retention.
Which technique would be MOST appropriate to identify the underlying
cause of this business problem?
A. Brainstorming
B. Root cause analysis
C. Mind mapping
D. Focus groups
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Root cause analysis specifically investigates the fundamental
reason why a problem occurs. While brainstorming generates ideas and
focus groups gather opinions, root cause analysis (using tools like the "5
,Whys" or fishbone diagrams) drills down to the underlying cause rather
than surface symptoms .
2. What is the primary purpose of the Needs Assessment domain in
business analysis?
A. To document detailed technical requirements
B. To identify and validate the business problem or opportunity before
any solution is committed
C. To manage stakeholder communication
D. To evaluate solution performance after implementation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Needs Assessment domain covers the activities required
to identify and validate the business problem or opportunity before any
solution is committed. This domain directly addresses the "wrong-
solution" failure mode by ensuring the project is solving the right
problem before budget is allocated .
,3. During stakeholder analysis, a business analyst maps stakeholders
based on their level of influence and interest. Where should
stakeholders with HIGH influence and HIGH interest be managed?
A. Keep informed
B. Monitor
C. Manage closely
D. Keep satisfied
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The power/interest grid categorizes stakeholders into four
groups: Manage Closely (high power, high interest), Keep Satisfied (high
power, low interest), Keep Informed (low power, high interest), and
Monitor (low power, low interest). High influence/high interest
stakeholders are key players who require close management .
4. A retail company wants to understand the gap between their current
inventory management capabilities and the desired state of real-time
inventory tracking. Which technique should the business analyst use?
A. SWOT analysis
, B. Gap analysis
C. Cost-benefit analysis
D. Process modeling
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Gap analysis compares the current state (as-is) with the
desired future state (to-be) to identify differences that need to be
addressed. SWOT evaluates
strengths/weaknesses/opportunities/threats; cost-benefit compares
costs and benefits; process modeling documents how work is
performed .
5. What is the primary purpose of assembling a business case in the
Needs Assessment domain?
A. To document detailed technical specifications
B. To justify the investment by demonstrating expected business value,
benefits, costs, and risks
C. To list all project stakeholders
D. To create the project schedule
PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
PLUS RATIONALE .
Domain 1: Needs Assessment (Questions 1–10)
1. A business analyst is meeting with stakeholders to understand why
the organization is experiencing a 15% decline in customer retention.
Which technique would be MOST appropriate to identify the underlying
cause of this business problem?
A. Brainstorming
B. Root cause analysis
C. Mind mapping
D. Focus groups
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Root cause analysis specifically investigates the fundamental
reason why a problem occurs. While brainstorming generates ideas and
focus groups gather opinions, root cause analysis (using tools like the "5
,Whys" or fishbone diagrams) drills down to the underlying cause rather
than surface symptoms .
2. What is the primary purpose of the Needs Assessment domain in
business analysis?
A. To document detailed technical requirements
B. To identify and validate the business problem or opportunity before
any solution is committed
C. To manage stakeholder communication
D. To evaluate solution performance after implementation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Needs Assessment domain covers the activities required
to identify and validate the business problem or opportunity before any
solution is committed. This domain directly addresses the "wrong-
solution" failure mode by ensuring the project is solving the right
problem before budget is allocated .
,3. During stakeholder analysis, a business analyst maps stakeholders
based on their level of influence and interest. Where should
stakeholders with HIGH influence and HIGH interest be managed?
A. Keep informed
B. Monitor
C. Manage closely
D. Keep satisfied
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The power/interest grid categorizes stakeholders into four
groups: Manage Closely (high power, high interest), Keep Satisfied (high
power, low interest), Keep Informed (low power, high interest), and
Monitor (low power, low interest). High influence/high interest
stakeholders are key players who require close management .
4. A retail company wants to understand the gap between their current
inventory management capabilities and the desired state of real-time
inventory tracking. Which technique should the business analyst use?
A. SWOT analysis
, B. Gap analysis
C. Cost-benefit analysis
D. Process modeling
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Gap analysis compares the current state (as-is) with the
desired future state (to-be) to identify differences that need to be
addressed. SWOT evaluates
strengths/weaknesses/opportunities/threats; cost-benefit compares
costs and benefits; process modeling documents how work is
performed .
5. What is the primary purpose of assembling a business case in the
Needs Assessment domain?
A. To document detailed technical specifications
B. To justify the investment by demonstrating expected business value,
benefits, costs, and risks
C. To list all project stakeholders
D. To create the project schedule
