IIBA Updated CCBA Exam Questions and Answers by angus

 The performance of all requirements management and communication activities is governed by the business analysis plans. The business analysis plans are the outputs of the plan business analysis approach and plan business analysis governance tasks. They describe how the business analysis work will be performed, monitored, and controlled throughout the project lifecycle. The business analysis plans include the business analysis approach, the business analysis performance and communication plans, the requirements management plan, the traceability and change management plans, and the business analysis process assets. The business analysis plans are different from the business analyst, who is the person responsible for performing the business analysis work; the project manager, who is the person responsible for leading the project team and delivering the project objectives; and the project sponsor, who is the person who provides the funding and support for the project. References:

• CCBA Handbook, page 15
• [BABOK Guide], page 38
• [Business Analysis for Practitioners: A Practice Guide], page 41
• [Business Analysis: The Question and Answer Book], page 27

Job observation is a technique that involves observing and documenting the tasks, activities, and behaviors of a stakeholder or a group of stakeholders in their work environment. It helps to elicit information about the current state of the business processes, the roles and responsibilities of the stakeholders, the problems and issues they face, and the opportunities for improvement. Job observation can be done in different ways, such as:

• Job shadowing: This is a process of following and observing a stakeholder as they perform their work tasks. It allows the business analyst to gain a firsthand and detailed understanding of the stakeholder’s perspective, needs, challenges, and expectations. Job shadowing can also facilitate rapport and trust building between the business analyst and the stakeholder12
• Video or audio recording: This is a process of capturing the work tasks and activities of a stakeholder or a group of stakeholders using a video or audio device. It allows the business analyst to review and analyze the recorded data at a later time, and to identify patterns, trends, gaps, and inconsistencies. Video or audio recording can also provide a visual or auditory evidence of the current state of the business processes3
• Work sampling: This is a process of observing and recording the work tasks and activities of a stakeholder or a group of stakeholders at random intervals over a period of time. It allows the business analyst to estimate the frequency, duration, and variability of the work tasks and activities, and to measure the productivity, efficiency, and quality of the work performance. Work sampling can also provide a statistical representation of the current state of the business processes.

The other options are not elicitation processes that are part of job observation, but they are related to other business analysis knowledge areas or techniques:

• Identifying stakeholders: This is a process of determining who are the individuals or groups that have an interest or influence on the project or the solution, and what are their needs, expectations, and level of involvement. It helps to plan and execute the stakeholder engagement and communication strategies, and to manage the stakeholder relationships. Identifying stakeholders is part of the business analysis planning and monitoring knowledge area.
• Defining and determining business analysis processes: This is a process of establishing and documenting the business analysis approach, activities, tasks, deliverables, roles, responsibilities, and governance. It helps to plan, monitor, and control the business analysis work, and to align it with the project objectives and stakeholder preferences. Defining and determining business analysis processes is part of the business analysis planning and monitoring knowledge area.
• Planning how requirements will be approached, traced, and prioritized: This is a process of defining and documenting the requirements management plan, which specifies how the requirements will be elicited, analyzed, documented, validated, verified, approved, communicated, traced, prioritized, changed, and maintained. It helps to ensure the quality, consistency, and alignment of the requirements with the stakeholder needs and expectations. Planning how requirements will be approached, traced, and prioritized is part of the business analysis planning and monitoring knowledge area.

References:

• Business Analysis Techniques - ECBA, CCBA, CBAP Endorsed, Section 7.4: Requirements Elicitation, p. 79-80.
• Certification of Capability in Business Analysis (CCBA®) - Simplilearn, Module 6: Elicitation and Collaboration, Lesson 6.3: Conduct Elicitation, p. 6-7.
• Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK® Guide), Version 3, Chapter 4: Elicitation and Collaboration, Section 4.2: Elicitation Techniques, p. 70-71.
• [Certification of Capability in Business Analysis (CCBA®) - Simplilearn], Module 6: Elicitation and Collaboration, Lesson 6.3: Conduct Elicitation, p. 8-9.
• [Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK® Guide)], Version 3, Chapter 4: Elicitation and Collaboration, Section 4.2: Elicitation Techniques, p. 71-72.
• [Certification of Capability in Business Analysis (CCBA®) - Simplilearn], Module 6: Elicitation and Collaboration, Lesson 6.3: Conduct Elicitation, p. 10-11.
• [Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK® Guide)], Version 3, Chapter 2: Business Analysis Planning and Monitoring, Section 2.2: Plan Stakeholder Engagement, p. 34-35.
• [Certification of Capability in Business Analysis (CCBA®) - Simplilearn], Module 5: Planning and Monitoring, Lesson 5.2: Conduct Stakeholder Analysis, p. 6-7.
• [Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK® Guide)], Version 3, Chapter 2: Business Analysis Planning and Monitoring, Section 2.1: Plan Business Analysis Approach, p. 31-33.
• [Certification of Capability in Business Analysis (CCBA®) - Simplilearn], Module 5: Planning and Monitoring, Lesson 5.1: Plan Business Analysis Approach, p. 6-7.
• [Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK® Guide)], Version 3, Chapter 2: Business Analysis Planning and Monitoring, Section 2.3: Plan Business Analysis Governance, p. 36-37.
• [Certification of Capability in Business Analysis (CCBA®) - Simplilearn], Module 5: Planning and Monitoring, Lesson 5.3: Plan Business Analysis Governance, p. 6-7.

 Communication needs are likely to increase in this endeavor as opposed to a collocated group of stakeholders. Communication needs are the requirements and expectations of the stakeholders regarding the type, frequency, format, and content of the information that is exchanged among them. Communication needs are influenced by various factors, such as the stakeholder roles, interests, influence, preferences, and availability. When the stakeholders are dispersed across different locations, time zones, cultures, and languages, the communication needs become more complex and challenging, as the stakeholders may face difficulties in coordinating, collaborating, and understanding each other. Therefore, the business analyst needs to plan, manage, and monitor the communication needs of the dispersed stakeholders, and use appropriate techniques and tools to facilitate effective and efficient communication12

Option A is incorrect because costs are not likely to increase in this endeavor as opposed to a collocated group of stakeholders, but to decrease. Costs are the expenses or resources that are incurred or consumed in the business analysis work. Costs are influenced by various factors, such as the scope, schedule, quality, and risk of the business analysis work. When the stakeholders are dispersed, the costs may decrease, as the stakeholders may save on travel, accommodation, and equipment expenses, and use online or virtual platforms to communicate and collaborate. However, the costs may also increase, if the stakeholders need to invest in more advanced or reliable technology, or incur additional fees or charges for using online services or tools3

Option B is incorrect because face-to-face meetings are not likely to increase in this endeavor as opposed to a collocated group of stakeholders, but to decrease. Face-to-face meetings are a type of communication and elicitation technique that involves direct and personal interaction and collaboration among the stakeholders in a physical or virtual setting. Face-to-face meetings are influenced by various factors, such as the availability, accessibility, and convenience of the stakeholders. When the stakeholders are dispersed, face-to-face meetings may decrease, as the stakeholders may face challenges in scheduling, attending, and participating in the meetings, due to the differences in location, time zone, culture, and language. Therefore, the business analyst may need to use alternative or complementary techniques or tools, such as email, phone, video conference, or chat, to communicate and elicit information from the dispersed stakeholders.

Option D is incorrect because risks are not likely to increase in this endeavor as opposed to a collocated group of stakeholders, but to vary. Risks are the uncertainties or events that may affect the business analysis work positively or negatively. Risks are influenced by various factors, such as the complexity, volatility, and ambiguity of the business analysis work. When the stakeholders are dispersed, the risks may vary, as the stakeholders may face different types and levels of risks, depending on their location, situation, and context. For example, some stakeholders may face more technical or operational risks, such as network or system failures, while others may face more social or cultural risks, such as miscommunication or misunderstanding. Therefore, the business analyst needs to identify, analyze, respond, and monitor the risks of the dispersed stakeholders, and use appropriate techniques and tools to mitigate or exploit the risks.

References:

• Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK® Guide), Version 3, Chapter 2: Business Analysis Planning and Monitoring, Section 2.3: Plan Business Analysis Communication, p. 36-37.
• Certification of Capability in Business Analysis (CCBA®) - Simplilearn, Module 5: Planning and Monitoring, Lesson 5.3: Plan Business Analysis Communication, p. 6-7.
• Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK® Guide), Version 3, Chapter 2: Business Analysis Planning and Monitoring, Section 2.4: Plan Business Analysis Governance, p. 38-39.
• [Certification of Capability in Business Analysis (CCBA®) - Simplilearn], Module 5: Planning and Monitoring, Lesson 5.4: Plan Business Analysis Governance, p. 6-7.
• [Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK® Guide)], Version 3, Chapter 10: Techniques, Section 10.15: Facilitated Workshops, p. 349-350.
• [Certification of Capability in Business Analysis (CCBA®) - Simplilearn], Module 6: Elicitation and Collaboration, Lesson 6.3: Conduct Elicitation, p. 6-7.
• [Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK® Guide)], Version 3, Chapter 10: Techniques, Section 10.16: Interviews, p. 351-352.
• [Certification of Capability in Business Analysis (CCBA®) - Simplilearn], Module 6: Elicitation and Collaboration, Lesson 6.4: Confirm Elicitation Results, p. 6-7.

According to the BABOK® Guide, opportunity cost is the value of the next best alternative that is forgone as a result of making a decision. In this case, the opportunity cost of choosing the second project for $565,000 is the value of the first project that is not chosen, which is $375,000. This means that the organization is giving up the potential benefit of $375,000 by selecting the second project over the first one. References: BABOK® Guide, page 32; Business Analysis Expert Certification, CCBA® | IIBA®, section “What Should I know to be CCBA Certified?”