IIBA CCBA - Certification of Capability in Business Analysis (CCBA)

 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

 Benchmarking is a technique that compares the performance or quality of a product, service, or process against a standard or best practice. Benchmarking can be used to identify gaps, opportunities, and areas for improvement. Benchmarking is one of the tools and techniques of the Assess Capability Gaps task, which is part of the Strategy Analysis knowledge area. Benchmarking is different from a stress test, which is a type of testing that evaluates the behavior of a systemunder extreme conditions. A feasibility study is an analysis that evaluates the viability of a proposed solution or alternative. Alternative identification is a technique that generates and evaluates different options to achieve a desired outcome. References: Business Analysis Expert Certification, CCBA® |IIBA®, CERTIFICATION OF CAPABILITY IN BUSINESS ANALYSIS, CCBA® and CBAP® Certifications Study Guide

A requirements architecture is a collection of views that represent the requirements from different perspectives and levels of abstraction. A requirements architecture helps to assess the completeness and coherence of the requirements, as well as to identify any gaps, overlaps, or inconsistencies among the requirements. A requirements architecture also helps to communicate the requirements to different stakeholders and to facilitate the solution design and testing. A requirements architecture is different from a requirements traceability matrix, which is a tool that shows the relationship between requirements and other artifacts, such as test cases, design elements, or business objectives; a business knowledge model, which is a representation of the business concepts, rules, and relationships that are relevant to the business need or the solution; and a solution design, which is a description of how the solution will meet the requirements and deliver the expected value. References:

CCBA Handbook, page 18

[BABOK Guide], page 54

[Business Analysis for Practitioners: A Practice Guide], page 63

[Business Analysis: The Question and Answer Book], page 30

Brainstorming is a group elicitation technique where a problem or topic is presented to the group, and participants are asked to produce as many ideas to solve/address the topic as possible1. The purpose of brainstorming is to generate creative and diverse solutions without any constraints or judgments. Therefore, the following statements are true regarding a brainstorming session during requirements elicitation:

All ideas should be visibly recorded. This helps to keep track of the ideas, avoid repetition, and stimulate further thinking2.

The number of ideas should not be limited. This encourages participants to think outside the box and explore different possibilities2.

All ideas should be shared without any discussion, criticism, or evaluation. This creates a safe and supportive environment where participants can freely express their thoughts without fear of rejection or ridicule2.

The statement that is not true regarding a brainstorming session during requirements elicitation is:

The ideas should be generated with a cost or time estimate. This contradicts the principle of brainstorming, which is to avoid any constraints or assumptions that may limit the creativity and diversity of the ideas2. Cost and time estimates are not relevant at this stage of the elicitation process, as they may bias or discourage participants from suggesting certain ideas. Cost and time estimates can be applied later, after the brainstorming session, when the ideas are prioritized and evaluated3. References:

1: CBAP/CCBA Certified Business Analysis Study Guide, 2nd Edition, by Susan Weese and Terri Wagner, Wiley, 2011, page 140.

2: Top 10 Most Common Requirements Elicitation Techniques, section Brainstorming, page 2.

3: An Overview of Requirements Elicitation, section Brainstorming, page 4.

Sunk costs are the costs that have already been incurred and cannot be recovered or changed. They are irrelevant for future decisions, as they do not affect the potential benefits or outcomes of the alternatives. In this case, the $750,000 invested into the existing technology is a sunk cost, as it cannot be refunded or reused. The organization should not consider this cost when deciding whether to purchase the newer solution or not. Instead, the organization should compare the expected costsand benefits of the newer solution with the current solution, and choose the option that maximizes the value for the organization12

Option A is incorrect because opportunity cost is the value of the next best alternative that is forgone as a result of making a decision. It is the benefit that could have been gained by choosing a different option. In this case, the opportunity cost of purchasing the newer solution is the value of keeping the existing solution, and vice versa. The opportunity cost is relevant for future decisions, as it affects the potential benefits or outcomes of the alternatives3

Option B is incorrect because cost of nonconformance is the cost incurred due to poor quality or deviation from the standards or requirements. It includes the costs of rework, defects, waste, scrap, warranty, customer dissatisfaction, and lost reputation. In this case, the cost of nonconformance is the cost associated with the defects and issues of the existing solution, and the potential cost of not meeting the customer expectations or needs. The cost of nonconformance is relevant for future decisions, as it affects the potential benefits or outcomes of the alternatives4

Option D is incorrect because cost-benefits is the comparison of the costs and benefits of a decision or an action. It is a technique used to evaluate the feasibility, desirability, and value of a solution or an alternative. In this case, the cost-benefits of purchasing the newer solution is the comparison of the expected costs and benefits of the newer solution with the current solution. The cost-benefits is relevant for future decisions, as it affects the potential benefits or outcomes of the alternatives5 References:

Business Analysis Techniques - ECBA, CCBA, CBAP Endorsed, Section 8.5: Cost-Benefit Analysis

CCBA Certification Cost Details | Techcanvass - Business Analysis Blog

A Comprehensive Guide to CCBA Certification - Business Analysis Blog

Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK® Guide), Section 10.23: Decision Analysis, 10.23.3.2: Sunk Costs

Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK® Guide), Section 10.23: Decision Analysis, 10.23.3.1: Opportunity

According to the IIBA, a data flow diagram is a technique that shows where data comes from, which activities process the data, and if the output results are stored or utilized by another activity or external entity1. A data flow diagram consists of four basic elements2:

Data flow: A data flow is a line that represents the movement of data from one point to another. It can be labeled with the name or description of the data.

External entities: External entities are rectangles that represent the sources or destinations of data outside the system boundary. They can be people, organizations, systems, or devices that interact with the system.

Data process: A data process is a circle that represents a process that transforms data by performing some operation on it. It can be labeled with the name or description of the process.

Data store: A data store is an open-ended rectangle that represents a place where data is stored or retrieved. It can be a database, a file, a queue, or a memory.

Among these elements, the one that represents a process that transforms data by combining it with other data is concatenation. Concatenation is a type of data process that joins two or more data flows into one data flow. For example, a concatenation process can combine the first name and last name data flows into a full name data flow3. References:

1: BABOK Guide, section 10.13 Data Flow Diagrams, page 402

2: CCBA® and CBAP® Certifications Study Guide, section Data flow diagrams, page 1

3: Data Flow Diagram Symbols, Types, and Tips, section Data Flow Diagram Symbols, page 1

 Cost-benefits analysis is a technique used in the business case development task, not in the requirements verification task. The other options are all general techniques that can be used to verify the requirements with the stakeholders and ensure they are complete, correct, and consistent. References: BABOK® Guide, section 4.5.3, page 117; section 4.6.3, page 123.

 According to the BABOK Guide, the task of validating requirements involves ensuring that the requirements and designs support the delivery of value, fulfill the stakeholder needs, and meet the quality standards1. This task requires the involvement of all the stakeholders who have an interest or influence on the solution or the business need, as they are the ones who can provide feedback, approval, and acceptance of the requirements and designs2. Therefore, the correct answer is A. All of the stakeholders, including executives, functional managers, directors, end users, and customers, are involved in the requirements validation activities.

The other options are not correct, as they exclude some of the stakeholders who are also involved in the requirements validation activities:

B. Functional management: Functional management is the person or group who has authority and responsibility for managing a specific business function or department3. Functional management is involved in the requirements validation activities, as they can provide input on the functional requirements, the business processes, and the organizational impacts of the solution2. However, functional management is not the only stakeholder involved in the requirements validation activities, as other stakeholders also have a role to play.

C. Executives: Executives are the person or group who has the ultimate authority and accountability for the organization or a part of it3. Executives are involved in the requirements validation activities, as they can provide input on the strategic alignment, the business objectives, the expected benefits, and the high-level scope of the solution2. However, executives are not the only stakeholder involved in the requirements validation activities, as other stakeholders also have a role to play.

D. Customers: Customers are the person or group who consumes or benefits from the products or services delivered by the solution3. Customers are involved in the requirements validation activities, as they can provide input on the customer needs, expectations, preferences, and satisfaction of the solution2. However, customers are not the only stakeholder involved in the requirements validation activities, as other stakeholders also have a role to play. References:

1: BABOK Guide, section 4.6 Validate Requirements, page 122

2: CBAP/CCBA Certified Business Analysis Study Guide, 2nd Edition, by Susan Weese and Terri Wagner, Wiley, 2011, page 169-170

3: BABOK Guide, section 3.8 Glossary, page 516-524

 Effective business analysis practices aim to minimize the amount of change to requirements in a stable business environment by ensuring that the requirements are well-understood, properly documented, and agreed upon by all stakeholders. While it is not possible to eliminate changes entirely due to the evolving nature of business and technology, good business analysis can significantly reduce the frequency and impact of these changes.

References: The BABOK® Guide emphasizes the importance of assessing requirements changes to maintain a stable baseline for the requirements. It also highlights the need for approval of requirements to ensure stakeholder support and buy-in123.

A plan-driven approach to business analysis is an approach that plans upfront with maximum control of what the expected implementation would be. The waterfall project methodology supports a predictive approach in planning. In this approach, the business analyst defines the requirements at ahigh level and then seeks formal approval from the stakeholders before proceeding to the next phase of the project. This ensures that the scope and objectives of the project are clear and agreed upon by all parties involved. The initial requirements are also known as the business requirements or the scope statement. They provide a broad overview of the problem or opportunity, the desired outcomes, the assumptions, constraints, and risks1.

When it comes to communication in a plan-driven approach, the type of communication that is likely required is formal. Formal communication is communication that follows a predefined structure, format, and protocol. It is usually documented, approved, and distributed through official channels. Formal communication is suitable for a plan-driven approach, as it helps to ensure clarity, consistency, accuracy, and traceability of the information. Formal communication also helps to manage expectations, reduce ambiguity, and avoid conflicts or misunderstandings2.

The other options are not correct types of communication that are likely required in a plan-driven approach:

A. Face-to-face: Face-to-face communication is communication that occurs when the participants are physically present and interact directly with each other. It is usually informal, spontaneous, and dynamic. Face-to-face communication is more suitable for an adaptive or agile approach, as it helps to foster collaboration, feedback, and trust among the stakeholders2.

B. Ad hoc: Ad hoc communication is communication that occurs without any prior planning or preparation. It is usually informal, flexible, and responsive. Ad hoc communication is more suitable for an adaptive or agile approach, as it helps to accommodate changes, uncertainties, and emergent issues2.

C. Chain of command: Chain of command communication is communication that follows the hierarchical structure of the organization. It is usually formal, authoritative, and controlled. Chain of command communication is not a type of communication that is specific to a plan-driven approach, as it can be used in any organizational context. However, it may not be the most effective or efficient way of communicating, as it may create delays, distortions, or barriers in the information flow2. References:

1: How to Choose the Right Business Analysis Approach2, section Waterfall Approach, page 1-2

2: How to create a business analysis communication plan1, section Types of communication, page 2-3

A work breakdown structure (WBS) is a tool that decomposes the project scope into smaller, manageable components. A WBS is useful for identifying activities in the business analysis approach, as it helps to define the tasks, dependencies, and resources required for each deliverable. A WBS also helps to estimate the effort, duration, and cost of the business analysis work, as well as to monitor and control the progress and quality of the deliverables. A WBS is different from project management input, which is an input to the business analysis approach, not a tool for identifying activities; BABOK, which is a guide that provides the best practices and standards for business analysis, not a tool for identifying activities; and a list of deliverables, which is an output of the business analysis approach, not a tool for identifying activities. References:

CCBA Handbook, page 15

[BABOK Guide], page 38

[Business Analysis for Practitioners: A Practice Guide], page 42

[Business Analysis: The Question and Answer Book], page 28

 MoSCoW is a prioritization technique used in business analysis and project management to categorize requirements into four levels of priority: Must have, Should have, Could have, and Won’t have.This method helps teams focus on the most critical requirements that need to be satisfied for a project to be successful, while also identifying which requirements can be deferred or excluded if necessary.

Must have: These are non-negotiable requirements that are essential for the project’s success. If these are not met, the project is considered a failure.

Should have: These are important but not critical requirements. They are high-priority items that can be scheduled for a future release without impacting the current one.

Could have: These are desirable requirements that do not affect the overall success of the project. They can be included if time and resources permit.

Won’t have: These are the lowest priority requirements or those that are not necessary for the current delivery cycle. They are recognized but not planned for the current project timeline.

References: The MoSCoW method is detailed in the Dynamic System Development Method (DSDM) handbook and is widely used across various industries for effective project management

 According to the BABOK Guide, the task of prioritizing requirements assesses the value, urgency, dependencies, and risks associated with requirements and designs to ensure that analysis and delivery work is done on the most important ones at any given time1. Prioritization is an ongoing process, with priorities changing as the context changes. The task of prioritizing requirements creates just one output, which is requirements (prioritized). This output is a list or a model of requirements and designs that have been assigned a level of importance or urgency relative to other requirements and designs2. The output of requirements (prioritized) is used as an input for other tasks, such as managing solution scope and requirements, assessing proposed solutions, allocating requirements, and validating requirements3.

The other options are not correct outputs of the task of prioritizing requirements:

Validated requirements are an output of the task of validating requirements, which ensures that the requirements and designs support the delivery of value, fulfill the stakeholder needs, and meet the quality standards3.

Requirements rankings are not a formal output of the task of prioritizing requirements, but rather a possible technique to assign a numerical value to each requirement or design based on a set of criteria2.

Requirements assessment is not an output of the task of prioritizing requirements, but rather a possible technique to evaluate the impact, feasibility, and value of requirements and designs2. References:

2: CCBA® and CBAP® Certifications Study Guide, section Task: Prioritize Requirements, page 1

3: BABOK Guide, section 4.5 Prioritize Requirements, page 72

1: Prioritize Requirements and Designs1, page 1

 A repository is a method to store the project requirements including those under development, under review, and the requirements which have been approved. A repository is a centralized and structured collection of information that can be accessed, searched, and managed by the business analyst and other stakeholders. A repository can be a physical or electronic location, such as a database, a document management system, or a shared folder. A repository helps to organize, maintain, and control the requirements throughout the project lifecycle. A repository is different from a changemanagement system, which is a tool to track and manage the changes to the requirements; a requirements register, which is a document that lists the requirements and their attributes, such as ID, name, status, and priority; and a project scope statement, which is a document that defines the boundaries and deliverables of the project. References:

CCBA Handbook, page 17

[BABOK Guide], page 50

[Business Analysis for Practitioners: A Practice Guide], page 59

[Business Analysis: The Question and Answer Book], page 29

 Job shadowing is not a business analysis planning & monitoring activity, but an elicitation technique. Job shadowing involves following and observing a stakeholder as they perform their work tasks. 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 shadowing is part of the elicitation and collaboration knowledge area in the CCBA certification12

The business analysis planning & monitoring activities are the tasks and steps that are performed to plan, monitor, and control the business analysis work and deliver the business analysis outputs. They include:

Defining and determining business analysis processes: This is the activity 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.

Planning how requirements will be approached, traced, and prioritized: This is the activity 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.

Identifying stakeholders: This is the activity 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.

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 Certification Competencies, CCBA® | IIBA®, section “Plan Business Analysis Work”

CCBA Step-by-Step Application Process Guide - IIBA®, page 6, section “4. Review the Exam Blueprint”

CCBA® and CBAP® Certifications Study Guide - Google Books, Chapter 2: Business Analysis Planning and Monitoring

[CCBA® and CBAP® Certifications Study Guide - Packt Subscription], Chapter 2: Business Analysis Planning and Monitoring