BCS BAPv5 - BCS Practitioner Certificate in Business Analysis Practice v5.2

Technical feasibility is the extent to which a proposed business change or solution is possible and realistic from a technical perspective. It helps to assess whether a proposed business change or solution can be developed, implemented and maintained using the available or required technology. Therefore, option A is the correct answer, as it describes the areas of technical feasibility mentioned in the report. Proven is an area of technical feasibility that relates to whether the technology used for the proposed business change or solution has been tested and verified by previous or existing users or applications. It helps to ensure reliability and quality of the technology. An example of proven in the report is the new payment method has not yet been widely adopted although it has the backing of all the big phone brands. Compatible is an area of technical feasibility that relates to whether the technology used for the proposed business change or solution can work or integrate with other existing or required technologies. It helps to ensure interoperability and functionality of the technology. An example of compatible in the report is our current payments system will be upgraded next month to take payment as part of a scheduled release. Secure is an area of technical feasibility that relates to whether the technology used for the proposed business change or solution can protect or prevent unauthorised access, use, modification or disclosure of data or information. It helps to ensure confidentiality, integrity and availability of the technology. An example of secure in the report is cyber security testing is encouraging. Scalable is an area of technical feasibility that relates to whether the technology used for the proposed business change or solution can handle or adapt to changes in demand, volume or performance. It helps to ensure efficiency and flexibility of the technology. An example of scalable in the report is trials have shown that the technology will scale to our customer base. Option B is not a correct answer, as it does not describe all the areas of technical feasibility mentioned in the report. Timely is an area of technical feasibility that relates to whether the technology used for the proposed business change or solution can be developed, implemented and maintained within the available or required time frame. It helps to ensure punctuality and speed of the technology. There is no example of timely in the report. Option C is not a correct answer, as it does not describe all the areas of technical feasibility mentioned in the report. Reliable is an area of technical feasibility that relates to whether the technology used for the proposed business change or solution can perform consistently and accurately without errors or failures. It helps to ensure dependability and accuracy of the technology. There is no example of reliable in the report. Architectural alignment is an area of technical feasibility that relates to whether the technology used for the proposed business change or solution can fit or align with other existing or required architectures, such as business, data or application architectures. It helps to ensure consistency and coherence of the technology. There is no example of architectural alignment in the report. Option D is not a correct answer, as it does not describe any of the areas of technical feasibility mentioned in the report.

A RACI chart (linear responsibility matrix) clarifies who does what for key deliverables and tasks, using the categories Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, and Informed. The text defines Responsible as the person or role responsible for creating/developing the product or performing the task. It defines Accountable as the person who will “carry the can” for the quality and ultimate ownership of the product or task—often a senior role such as the project sponsor being accountable for the business case.

In this scenario, the graphic designer has been assigned the work of designing the promotional materials. That is direct execution: they are the person performing the task and producing the deliverable. Under the RACI definitions, that makes them Responsible.

“Accountable” would typically be held by the person who owns the outcome and is answerable for whether the promotional materials meet campaign objectives and brand standards—commonly the marketing lead, product manager, or campaign owner—rather than the specialist producing the asset. The RACI model is used precisely to prevent confusion between “doing the work” (Responsible) and “owning the outcome” (Accountable).

Therefore, the graphic designer’s typical role in the RACI matrix for this task is Responsible (A).

Divergent and convergent thinking are most valuable when a team is generating options and then narrowing them down to the most promising set. In the business analysis guidance, this pattern appears in the creative problem-solving material: once ideas have been stimulated using creative thinking techniques (idea generation), they are then evaluated so the team can focus on ideas that could provide solutions (selection and refinement). This explicit “generate many ideas → evaluate and focus” flow is the essence of divergent (expanding possibilities) followed by convergent thinking (reducing and choosing).

Mapped to the Design Thinking Process, this aligns most directly to the Ideate stage. Ideation is where teams deliberately explore alternatives, challenge assumptions, and use creativity tools to produce a wide range of concepts before assessing them. The guidance also cautions against moving into solution selection too early and highlights that solution finding comes later, after other aspects have been considered—reinforcing that ideation should first widen thinking before converging on the best options.

By contrast, Empathise focuses on understanding users and their context, and Define focuses on clarifying the problem statement. Those stages can involve analysis and synthesis, but the documented “creative ideas then evaluate and focus” approach is most characteristically the work of Ideate.

 A stakeholder management strategy is a plan for how to engage and communicate with stakeholders based on their level of interest and influence in the organisation or project. A stakeholder management strategy can vary depending on the stakeholder’s position on the power/interest grid, which has four quadrants: high power, high interest; high power, low interest; low power, high interest; and low power, low interest. Therefore, option C is the correct answer, as it represents appropriate stakeholder management strategies for Harvey based on his position on the grid before and after his role change. Watch means to monitor the stakeholder’s level of interest and influence and keep them informed of relevant developments. This is suitable for when Harvey was in the low power, low interest quadrant, as he had little authority or concern over the project. Constant active management means to involve the stakeholder closely in the project and seek their input and feedback regularly. This is suitable for when Harvey moved to the high power, high interest quadrant, as he became the sponsor and owner of the project. Option A is not a correct answer, as keep informed means to provide the stakeholder with sufficient information and updates to maintain their interest and support. This is more suitable for when Harvey was in the low power, high interest quadrant, not the low power, low interest quadrant. Option B is not a correct answer, as ignore means to disregard the stakeholder’s views and needs and exclude them from communication. This is not a good strategy for any stakeholder, especially one who has some power or influence over the project. Option D is not a correct answer, as constant active management means to involve the stakeholder closely in the project and seek their input and feedback regularly. This is more suitable for when Harvey was in the high power, high interest quadrant, not the low power, low interest quadrant.

To understand gaps at a high level in the activities a business performs, the best way to document the desired state is a Business Activity Model (BAM). The documentation explains that gap analysis compares a current state with a desired future state and that a BAM provides a conceptual overview of the desired future business system—showing what activities should exist to fulfil a stakeholder perspective (or an agreed consensus perspective).

This makes the BAM ideal for identifying “activity gaps” because the analyst can examine each activity on the desired-state BAM and assess whether it exists today, whether it operates satisfactorily, whether it is inadequate, or whether it is missing completely. The text explicitly states that the conceptual nature of the BAM helps the analyst see where the current business system is lacking and that gaps can vary by activity (some may be fine, others weak, others absent).

Option B (“to be” process models) is useful, but it is a more detailed view that focuses on how work is carried out rather than providing a conceptual “what activities should exist” overview. CATWOE (C) helps capture and analyse stakeholder perspectives, but it is not, by itself, the best way to document the desired activity set at high level. A business case (D) justifies change; it doesn’t define the activity-based desired operating picture.

The guidance distinguishes Payback and Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) by whether they account for the time value of money. Payback uses current values of incoming and outgoing cash flows and does not adjust for the declining value of money over time. DCF, by contrast, explicitly discounts future net cash flows back to today’s value, producing measures such as Net Present Value (NPV).

A key practical reason to use DCF is when the discount rate (reflecting the cost of capital and prevailing financial conditions) matters. The documentation explains that management accountants determine the discount rate by studying factors including the likely movement of money-market interest rates in the coming years. If interest rates are expected to increase, the cost of capital and the opportunity cost of money can rise, making future cash inflows less valuable in today’s terms and potentially reducing project attractiveness. DCF is designed to reflect exactly this broader financial context through discounting.

Option A (“cost of raising capital is nil”) would reduce the importance of discounting rather than increase it. Option B is about the desired level of detail, not financial appropriateness. Option D (“deposits earning no interest”) does not indicate rising rates or a need to adjust for changing time value; if anything, it suggests a lower opportunity cost at present. Therefore, the factor that indicates DCF should be used is C.

POPIT is a technique for taking a holistic view when investigating a business situation or problem. It helps to ensure that all aspects and dimensions of a business situation or problem are considered and addressed. POPIT consists of four elements: People, Processes, Organisation and Information and technology. Therefore, options C and D are correct answers, as they are the elements of POPIT that consider these issues respectively. Option C considers issue 1: The suggested changes to the business structure will affect our relationships with suppliers. Organisation is the element that describes how an organisation is structured and governed internally and externally. It helps to identify who are involved in decision making and authority within an organisation and how an organisation relates to its stakeholders outside its boundaries. Issue 1 relates to organisation, as it involves changes to the business structure that will affect how the organisation interacts with its suppliers, who are external stakeholders. Option D considers issue 2: The proposed electronic data sharing with our suppliers will raise legal accessibility issues. Information and technology is the element that describes how information and data are created, stored, accessed, used and communicated within an organisation using technology systems and tools. It helps to identify what information and data are needed and available for an organisation to perform its activities and processes effectively and efficiently using appropriate technology systems and tools. Issue 2 relates to information and technology, as it involves electronic data sharing with suppliers using technology systems that will raise legal accessibility issues regarding information security and privacy. Option A does not consider any issue in this scenario. People is the element that describes who are involved in performing or supporting the activities and processes within an organisation. It helps to identify what skills, knowledge, attitudes and behaviours are required and exhibited by people within an organisation to perform their roles and responsibilities effectively and efficiently. There is no issue in this scenario that relates to people. Option B does not consider any issue in this scenario. Processes is the element that describes what activities and tasks are performed within an organisation to achieve its objectives and outcomes. It helps to identify how activities and tasks are sequenced, coordinated, controlled and measured within an organisation to ensure quality and consistency. There is no issue in this scenario that relates to processes. Option E is not a valid element of POPIT. Procedures is not an element of POPIT, but a term that refers to the detailed steps or instructions for performing a specific activity or task within a process.

A competency is a combination of skills, knowledge and behaviours that enable a person to perform a task or role effectively and efficiently. Therefore, option D is the correct answer, as it describes the competencies required for this role based on the job advert. Business case development is a competency that involves creating and presenting a formal written proposal that details the costs and benefits of a proposed business change or solution. It helps to justify and secure the approval and funding for a proposed business change or solution. This competency is required for this role, as the job advert states that the business analyst will assist in the development of formal written proposals detailing the cost and benefit of proposed business initiatives. Investigation techniques is a competency that involves using a variety of methods to explore and define complex situations or problems within an organisation or project. It helps to elicit, analyse, validate and prioritise the views and needs of stakeholders and identify the root causes and effects of situations or problems. This competency is required for this role, as the job advert states that the business analyst should be able to use a variety of methods to explore and define complex situations. Business architecture is a competency that involves designing and modelling the structure and relationships of an organisation or project at a high level of abstraction. It helps to understand how an organisation or project operates, delivers value and achieves its objectives and outcomes. This competency is required for this role, as the job advert states that the business analyst should have experience of producing blueprints in terms of processes, management structures, culture and people. Option A is not a correct answer, as it does not describe all the competencies required for this role based on the job advert. Subject matter expertise is a competency that involves having in-depth knowledge and understanding of a specific domain or industry within an organisation or project. It helps to provide insights and guidance on the best practices and standards within a specific domain or industry. This competency is not required for this role, as the job advert does not state that the business analyst should have subject matter expertise in any specific domain or industry. Option B is not a correct answer, as it does not describe all the competencies required for this role based on the job advert. Domain knowledge is a competency that involves having general knowledge and understanding of a broad domain or industry within an organisation or project. It helps to provide context and background on the nature and scope of a domain or industry. This competency is not required for this role, as the job advert does not state that the business analyst should have domain knowledge in any broad domain or industry. Gap analysis is a competency that involves comparing current and desired situations or problems and identifying the differences or gaps between them. It helps to determine what changes or improvements are needed to bridge the gaps and achieve desired situations or problems. This competency is not required for this role, as the job advert does not state that the business analyst should have experience of gap analysis. Option C is not a correct answer, as it does not describe all the competencies required for this role based on the job advert. Requirements engineering is a competency that involves eliciting, analysing, specifying, validating and managing requirements for a system or product within an organisation or project. It helps to ensure that requirements are clear, complete, consistent, testable and traceable throughout the system or product lifecycle. This competency is not required for this role, as the job advert does not state that the business analyst should have experience of requirements engineering.

An organisation chart is a diagram that shows the structure and relationships of an organisation. It helps to identify who are the members, roles, levels and units of an organisation and how they are connected or related. Therefore, options A and B are correct answers, as they are the information that Sara is likely to have learnt about the sponsor from the organisation chart. Option A is a correct answer, as their position in the company hierarchy is the information that Sara is likely to have learnt about the sponsor from the organisation chart. Their position in the company hierarchy is the level or rank of the sponsor within the organisation’s structure. It helps to indicate their authority, status and influence within the organisation. Option B is a correct answer, as their span of control is the information that Sara is likely to have learnt about the sponsor from the organisation chart. Their span of control is the number of people or units that report directly to the sponsor within the organisation’s structure. It helps to indicate their responsibility, workload and management style within the organisation. Option C is not a correct answer, as their culture within their team is not the information that Sara is likely to have learnt about the sponsor from the organisation chart. Their culture within their team is the shared values, beliefs, norms and behaviours of the sponsor and their team members within the organisation. It helps to indicate their motivation, satisfaction and performance within the organisation. Option D is not a correct answer, as their scope of responsibilities is not the information that Sara is likely to have learnt about the sponsor from the organisation chart. Their scope of responsibilities is the range or extent of tasks or activities that the sponsor has to perform or oversee within the organisation. It helps to indicate their objectives, outcomes and deliverables within the organisation. Option E is not a correct answer, as their preferred management style is not the information that Sara is likely to have learnt about the sponsor from the organisation chart. Their preferred management style is the way or approach that the sponsor uses to lead or direct their team members within the organisation. It helps to indicate their communication, delegation and feedback skills within the organisation.