BCS Practitioner Certificate in Business Analysis Practice v5.0: BAPV5

Correct Answer: ABC

A stakeholder is any person or group who has an interest in or influence over an organisation or project. Stakeholders can be classified into different categories based on their relationship with the organisation or project. One possible classification is the stakeholder wheel, which identifies six generic stakeholder categories: owner, partner, supplier, customer, regulator and competitor. Therefore, options A, B and C are correct answers, as they represent three stakeholder groups that are involved in the scenario. Owner refers to the person or group who owns or controls the organisation or project. In this case, it is the two people who each own 50% of AlpineTrails. Partner refers to the person or group who collaborates or cooperates with the organisation or project to achieve mutual benefits. In this case, it is WalkNation, who has agreed to work with AlpineTrails to provide special holidays for its members. Supplier refers to the person or group who provides goods or services to the organisation or project. In this case, it is the hotels, transport and equipment providers that AlpineTrails books for its customers. Option D is not a correct answer, as manager is not one of the generic stakeholder categories defined in the stakeholder wheel. Manager refers to the person or group who oversees or coordinates the activities of the organisation or project. In this case, it could be either one of the owners of AlpineTrails or someone appointed by them. Option E is not a correct answer, as competitor is not represented in this scenario. Competitor refers to the person or group who offers similar or alternative goods or services to the same market as the organisation or project. In this case, it could be another company that specialises in offering tailored walking holidays. References: BCS Practitioner Certificate in BAP Specimen, page 18.

Correct Answer: C

The role of a business analyst (BA) is to analyse business situations and problems, identify and evaluate potential solutions, and facilitate change within an organisation or project. A BA works with stakeholders at different levels and with different interests and perspectives to understand their needs and expectations and ensure they are met by suitable solutions. Therefore, option C is not likely to be used by George's manager in describing his role as a BA in resolving this problem. To negotiate with stakeholders to reach resolution implies that George has to persuade or compromise with stakeholders to agree on one solution or approach. This is not part of the BA's role, as the BA does not have the authority or responsibility to make decisions or impose solutions on stakeholders. The BA's role is to analyse and evaluate different solutions or approaches objectively and present the findings and recommendations to stakeholders for their consideration and approval. Option A is likely to be used by George's manager in describing his role as a BA in resolving this problem. To understand and challenge the stakeholders means that George has to elicit and validate the stakeholders' views and needs and question their assumptions and rationale. This is part of the BA's role, as the BA has to ensure that the stakeholders' views and needs are clear, consistent, realistic and aligned with the organisation's strategy and objectives. Option B is likely to be used by George's manager in describing his role as a BA in resolving this problem. To facilitate the discussion to allow the stakeholders to find a way forward means that George has to organise and conduct meetings or workshops with stakeholders to explore and evaluate different solutions or approaches and help them reach a consensus or agreement. This is part of the BA's role, as the BA has to enable effective communication and collaboration among stakeholders and help them resolve conflicts or issues. Option D is likely to be used by George's manager in describing his role as a BA in resolving this problem. To record the meeting and the resulting decision means that George has to document and communicate the outcomes and actions of the meeting or workshop with stakeholders and ensure they are understood and accepted by all parties. This is part of the BA's role, as the BA has to ensure that there is a clear and accurate record of what has been discussed and decided by stakeholders and that there is a shared understanding and commitment among them. References: BCS Practitioner Certificate in BAP Specimen, page 36.

Correct Answer: D

CATWOE is a technique for exploring stakeholder business perspectives by identifying six elements: Customer, Actor, Transformation, Worldview, Owner and Environment. It helps to understand how different stakeholders perceive a business situation or problem and what they expect from a solution. Therefore, option D is the correct answer, as Paul and his business partner are in disagreement on their worldview element of CATWOE. Worldview is the element that describes the beliefs, values, assumptions or principles that underpin a stakeholder's perspective. It helps to explain why a stakeholder thinks that a business situation or problem is worth addressing or solving. Paul and his business partner have different worldviews regarding the possibility of extracting natural gas from their land. Paul believes that it is a safe, profitable and reasonable option that will improve their financial situation. His business partner believes that it is a dangerous, unattractive and unacceptable option that will compromise their vision of living off the land. Option A is not a correct answer, as Paul and his business partner are not in disagreement on their customer element of CATWOE. Customer is the element that describes who benefits from or is affected by a business situation or problem or its solution. It helps to identify who are the main beneficiaries or victims of a business situation or problem or its solution. Paul and his business partner have the same customer, which is themselves as the owners of the farm. Option B is not a correct answer, as Paul and his business partner are not in disagreement on their actor element of CATWOE. Actor is the element that describes who carries out or performs a business situation or problem or its solution. It helps to identify who are responsible for implementing or delivering a business situation or problem or its solution. Paul and his business partner have the same actor, which is themselves as the owners of the farm. Option C is not a correct answer, as Paul and his business partner are not in disagreement on their transformation element of CATWOE. Transformation is the element that describes what changes or processes take place in a business situation or problem or its solution. It helps to identify what inputs are converted into outputs in a business situation or problem or its solution. Paul and his business partner have the same transformation, which is extracting natural gas from their land. References: BCS Practitioner Certificate in BAP Specimen, page 37.