BCS BCS Certifications BAPV5 Questions & Answers

• Question 31:

  A PESTLE analysis is being conducted for a small manufacturing company The following has been discovered.

  The company's electricity provider is planning changes to the way in which electricity usage is calculated, it is likely that this will lead to increased electricity costs.

  An amendment to the Data Protection Act has recently been introduced It states that information held about employees' payroll can now be held for more than six years, as long as the individual remains an employee

  How will this information be categorised in the PESTLE analysis? Select the TWO that apply

  A. Legal

  B. Economic

  C. Political

  D. Technological

  E. Environmental.

  Correct Answer: AB

  A PESTLE analysis is a technique for identifying and evaluating the political, economic, social, technological, legal and environmental factors that affect an organisation or project. It helps to assess the opportunities and threats that arise from the external environment. Therefore, options A and B are correct answers, as they are categories of factors that can be included in a PESTLE analysis for a small manufacturing company. They describe different aspects of the external environment that influence the company's situation and prospects. Option A describes a legal factor, which is a factor related to laws, regulations, standards or policies that govern an organisation or project. An example of a legal factor is an amendment to the Data Protection Act, which affects how information about employees' payroll can be held by an organisation. Option B describes an economic factor, which is a factor related to money, markets, trade or resources that affect an organisation or project. An example of an economic factor is a change in electricity usage calculation by an electricity provider, which affects how much electricity costs for an organisation. Option C is not a correct answer, as political is not a factor that has been discovered in the investigation for the PESTLE analysis. A political factor is a factor related to government, politics, power or conflict that affect an organisation or project. Option D is not a correct answer, as technological is not a factor that has been discovered in the investigation for the PESTLE analysis. A technological factor is a factor related to science, innovation, invention or discovery that affect an organisation or project. Option E is not a correct answer, as environmental is not a factor that has been discovered in the investigation for the PESTLE analysis. An environmental factor is a factor related to nature, ecology, climate or geography that affect an organisation or project. References: BCS Practitioner Certificate in BAP Specimen, page 35.

• Question 32:

  A large consultancy organization has assigned its BA. Girby, to a client called MetalCor, a manufacture of component for washing machines and fridge freezers. The management team of MetalCor need some help in understanding the problems they are experiencing with their production line. Recently. Reproduction has dipped to a record low and more parts are being return as fully.

  Production line staff blame each other and the more staff Girby speaker to, the more issue she identifies. She having difficulty keeping track of the arising themes and how they relate to each other.

  Which of the following would enable Girby to model the arising themes and how they relate to each other?

  A. Mind map

  B. Business activity model

  C. Rich picture.

  D. Business process model

  Correct Answer: A

  A mind map is a technique for organising and visualising information in a hierarchical and associative way. It helps to generate, structure and classify ideas and concepts and show how they are related or connected. Therefore, option A is the correct answer, as a mind map would enable Girby to model the arising themes and how they relate to each other. A mind map would help to identify the main theme or problem (declining production) and the sub-themes or causes (staff blaming each other, more parts being faulty etc.) and arrange them in a tree-like structure. A mind map would help to use colours, symbols, images and keywords to represent and emphasise the themes and their relationships. A mind map would help to analyse and evaluate the themes and their relationships and identify any patterns or gaps that may exist. Option B is not a correct answer, as a business activity model is not a technique for modelling the arising themes and how they relate to each other. A business activity model is a technique for modelling business activities within an organisation or project at a high level of abstraction. It helps to understand what an organisation does, how it does it, who does it, where it does it and why it does it. Option C is not a correct answer, as a rich picture is not a technique for modelling the arising themes and how they relate to each other. A rich picture is a technique for drawing a holistic view of a complex situation or problem using informal symbols and images. It helps to capture the main elements and aspects of a situation or problem and how they interact or influence each other. Option D is not a correct answer, as a business process model is not a technique for modelling the arising themes and how they relate to each other. A business process model is a technique for modelling business processes within an organisation or project at a low level of abstraction. It helps to understand how business processes are performed or delivered in terms of inputs, outputs, activities, tasks, roles, rules, events etc. References: BCS Practitioner Certificate in BAP Specimen, page 36.

• Question 33:

  An overseas bank is currently undertaking a feasibility study looking into the possible launch of a new bank in the UK

  Preliminary findings suggest that the market is saturated, customers have a lot of choice and it is easy for them to switch from one bank to another.

  In which area of Porter's Five Forces model would these preliminary findings be documented'?

  A. Threat of new entrants

  B. Bargaining power of customers

  C. Bargaining power of suppliers

  D. Threat of substitute products

  Correct Answer: B

  Porter's Five Forces model is a technique for analysing the competitive forces that affect an organisation or industry. It helps to assess the attractiveness and profitability of an organisation or industry. Porter's Five Forces model consists of five forces: threat of new entrants, bargaining power of customers, bargaining power of suppliers, threat of substitute products and competitive rivalry. Therefore, option B is the correct answer, as these preliminary findings would be documented in the bargaining power of customers force of Porter's Five Forces model. Bargaining power of customers is the force that measures the ability and influence of customers to affect the price, quality and quantity of products or services offered by an organisation or industry. It depends on factors such as customer concentration, switching costs, differentiation and loyalty. An example of bargaining power of customers in this scenario is the market is saturated, customers have a lot of choice and it is easy for them to switch from one bank to another, which implies that customers have high bargaining power and can demand lower prices or better services from banks. Option A is not a correct answer, as these preliminary findings would not be documented in the threat of new entrants force of Porter's Five Forces model. Threat of new entrants is the force that measures the likelihood and impact of new competitors entering an organisation or industry. It depends on factors such as entry barriers, economies of scale, capital requirements and brand loyalty. An example of threat of new entrants in this scenario is an overseas bank launching a new bank in the UK, which implies that there is a potential threat of new entrants to the existing banks in the UK. Option C is not a correct answer, as these preliminary findings would not be documented in the bargaining power of suppliers force of Porter's Five Forces model. Bargaining power of suppliers is the force that measures the ability and influence of suppliers to affect the price, quality and quantity of products or services supplied to an organisation or industry. It depends on factors such as supplier concentration, switching costs, differentiation and dependency. An example of bargaining power of suppliers in this scenario is the suggested changes to the business structure will affect our relationships with suppliers, which implies that suppliers may have some bargaining power over the organisation or industry. Option D is not a correct answer, as these preliminary findings would not be documented in the threat of substitute products force of Porter's Five Forces model. Threat of substitute products is the force that measures the likelihood and impact of customers switching to alternative products or services that satisfy their needs or wants better than those offered by an organisation or industry. It depends on factors such as availability, price, quality and performance of substitute products or services. There is no example of threat of substitute products in this scenario.

  References: BCS Practitioner Certificate in BAP Specimen, page 49.

• Question 34:

  On joining a new company. Sara spent time reviewing the company's organisation chart She was particularly interested in the sponsor of the project she is joining What is Sara LIKELY to have learnt about the sponsor from this? Select the TWO that apply

  A. Their position in the company hierarchy

  B. Their span of control

  C. The culture within their team

  D. The scope of their responsibilities

  E. Their preferred management style

  Correct Answer: AB

  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. References: BCS Practitioner Certificate in BAP Specimen, page 31.

• Question 35:

  The management of a chain of hotels has decided that one of its critical success factors (CSF) is to 'provide excellent customer service' The below measures have been suggested.

  Which THREE of these are appropriate key performance indicators (KPIs) for the CSF 'provide excellent customer service"?

  A. The number of customers who make use of their in-room mini bar

  B. The percentage of customers who use the leisure facilities

  C. The number of customers who complain.

  D. The percentage of customers who join the hotel loyalty scheme

  E. The percentage of customers who return

  Correct Answer: CDE

  A key performance indicator (KPI) is a measurable value that demonstrates how effectively an organisation is achieving a key business objective or critical success factor (CSF). A KPI should be relevant, specific, measurable, achievable,

  realistic and time- bound (SMART). Therefore, options C, D and E are appropriate KPIs for the CSF `provide excellent customer service', as they measure aspects of customer satisfaction and loyalty that are directly related to the quality of

  service provided by the hotel chain. Option A is not an appropriate KPI, as it does not measure customer service, but rather customer consumption. Option B is not an appropriate KPI, as it does not measure customer service, but rather

  customer preference.

  References: BCS Practitioner Certificate in BAP Specimen, page 15.

• Question 36:

  George and Laura are responsible for the marking strategy in a company vinyl records and cassette tapes online.

  George feels that the company should focus its marking solely on people aged over 50, who are nostalgic for these older recording media. He also feels that the company should outsource all marketing activity.

  Laura believes that the business should continue with its target of people aged 30-60. As this age group are particularly enthusiastic about vinyl records. She believes that marketing is one of their internal strengths and should remain in house

  Which specific areas of CATWOE are they considering?

  A. Customer and Owner.

  B. Actor and Transformation

  C. Transformation and Environment

  D. Customer and Actor

  Correct Answer: A

  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 A is the correct answer, as it identifies which specific areas of CATWOE are they considering respectively. 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 recipients or users of value or satisfaction from a business situation or problem or its solution. George and Laura are considering customer, as they have different views on who should be the target market for their products (people aged over 50 vs people aged 30-60). Owner is the element that describes who has the authority or power to start or stop a business situation or problem or its solution. It helps to identify who are the decision makers or influencers of a business situation or problem or its solution. George and Laura are considering owner, as they have different views on who should be responsible for marketing activities (outsourced vs in-house). Option B is not a correct answer, as it does not identify which specific areas of CATWOE are they considering respectively. 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. George and Laura are not considering actor, as they have no views on who carries out their products (although this may be related to owner). 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. George and Laura are not considering transformation, as they have no views on what changes or processes take place in their products (although this may be related to customer). Option C is not a correct answer, as it does not identify which specific areas of CATWOE are they considering respectively. 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. George and Laura are not considering transformation, as they have no views on what changes or processes take place in their products (although this may be related to customer). Environment is the element that describes the external factors or constraints that affect a stakeholder's perspective or limit their options. It helps to explain what factors or constraints are beyond the stakeholder's control or influence. George and Laura are not considering environment, as they have no views on what external factors or constraints affect their products (although this may be related to customer). Option D is not a correct answer, as it does not identify which specific areas of CATWOE are they considering respectively. 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 recipients or users of value or satisfaction from a business situation or problem or its solution. George and Laura are considering customer, as they have different views on who should be the target market for their products (people aged over 50 vs people aged 30-60). 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. George and Laura are not considering actor, as they have no views on who carries out their products (although this may be related to owner). References: BCS Practitioner Certificate in BAP Specimen, page 37.

• Question 37:

  Maria is a business analyst working for a large supermarket chain, where she has been asked to work on a project exploring the potential opportunities of wearable technology This work has led her to visit parts of the organisation that she has never come into contact with before and whilst observing and interviewing staff working in various stores and warehouses, she has identified a number of concerns, including noticeable gaps in staff training, stores and warehouses that seem to require extensive repair, and store management worries about cash flow Maria is aware that these concerns are not directly related to the project she has been assigned to However, she feels she has a responsibility to make her management team aware of these issues

  As a way of enabling her organisation to fully explore these concerns and understand if any further intervention is required, which of the following would be the MOST valuable?

  A. Resource audit

  B. SWOT.

  C. PESTLE

  D. Porter's Five Forces model

  Correct Answer: B

  A SWOT analysis is a technique for identifying and evaluating the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats that affect an organisation or project. It helps to assess the internal and external factors that influence the performance and potential of the organisation or project. Therefore, option B is the correct answer, as a SWOT analysis would be the most valuable technique for enabling the organisation to fully explore the concerns and understand if any further intervention is required. A SWOT analysis would help to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the organisation's current situation, such as the gaps in staff training, the state of the stores and warehouses, and the cash flow issues. It would also help to identify the opportunities and threats that arise from the external environment, such as the market trends, customer preferences, competitors' actions, and regulatory changes. A SWOT analysis would provide a comprehensive picture of the organisation's situation and help to prioritise the areas that need improvement or attention. Option A is not a correct answer, as a resource audit is a technique for identifying and evaluating the resources that an organisation has or needs to achieve its objectives. It helps to assess the availability and quality of the organisation's resources, such as human, physical, financial and intangible resources. A resource audit would not be sufficient to fully explore the concerns and understand if any further intervention is required, as it would only focus on one aspect of the organisation's situation and not consider the external factors that affect it. Option C is not a correct answer, as a PESTLE analysis is a technique for identifying and evaluating the political, economic, social, technological, legal and environmental factors that affect an organisation or project. It helps to assess the opportunities and threats that arise from the external environment. A PESTLE analysis would not be sufficient to fully explore the concerns and understand if any further intervention is required, as it would only focus on one aspect of the organisation's situation and not consider the internal factors that affect it. Option D is not a correct answer, as Porter's Five Forces model is a technique for analysing the competitive forces that shape an industry or market. It helps to assess the attractiveness and profitability of an industry or market by examining five forces: rivalry among existing competitors, threat of new entrants, threat of substitute products or services, bargaining power of suppliers, and bargaining power of buyers. Porter's Five Forces model would not be relevant to fully explore the concerns and understand if any further intervention is required, as it would not address the issues that affect the organisation internally. References: BCS Practitioner Certificate in BAP Specimen, page 26.

• Question 38:

  Bluesky Travel is an independent travel agency specialising in luxury bespoke holidays, which is introducing a new booking process. So far, the following key changes have been made:

  1) The new Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) software package for making bookings has been installed and is working

  2) Data is being migrated from the old computer system to the COTS software package

  3) The IT department has documented the configuration of the COTS system

  4) The legal department has confirmed that the new COTS system is compliant with company policies.

  In taking a holistic approach, which of the following areas of the POPII Model have NOT yet been addressed by the changes identified?

  A. Organisation and process.

  B. Process and people

  C. People and technology D. Organisation and information.

  Correct Answer: A

  The elements of the POPII model that have not yet been addressed by the changes identified are organisation and process. This is because there is no mention of how the new booking process will affect the organisational structure, roles,

  responsibilities, and culture of the company, or how the new COTS software package will integrate with the existing business processes and workflows. These elements are important to consider when introducing a new system or technology,

  as they may require changes or adaptations to ensure alignment and compatibility. Option A is the correct answer.

  References:

  POPIT Model Business Analysis Technique - Knowledge Train POPIT Model - GSU

• Question 39:

  Nastya is the CEO of a large technology firm, which develops new and innvolvative nanotechnology. Below is an email she has sent to her management team:

  Dear Team,

  Recent media coverage has revealed that our competitors have lower costs. It is important that we get back to our suppliers to see il they can secure a better component pnce for the next version of our NanoVac range Let's also consider the energy costs of our labs, I'm mindful that costs are rising due to investment in renewable power-1 want us to negotiate with our energy supplier to get a better deal.

  I've also been reading reports on social responsibility and sustainability and I'd like a lull review of the biodegradability of the packaging of all our products- we don't want media attention for being a technology company that wastes natural resources.

  Our employment regulations also need revisiting as there have been changes to pension rules and paternity/maternity rights for workers and I want us to be aware of these

  Finally, regarding the staff conference I want to launch a new staff development programme, which aims to identify and develop the rising stars in our business People development should be a key priority in our next annual plan.

  Thanks. Nastya."

  Which elements of PESTLE are identified in this email?

  A. Environmental, Political. Socio-Cultural.

  B. Economic, Environmental, Legal

  C. Socio-Cultural. Technological. Economic

  D. Political, Legal. Economic

  Correct Answer: B

  The elements of PESTLE that are identified in this email are Economic, Environmental and Legal. Economic factors are related to the costs and prices of the business and its competitors. In this email, Nastya mentions that their competitors have lower costs and that they need to secure a better component price and negotiate with their energy supplier (B). Environmental factors are related to the natural resources and sustainability of the business and its impact on the environment. In this email, Nastya mentions that she wants a full review of the biodegradability of the packaging of all their products and that she is mindful of the costs of renewable power (E). Legal factors are related to the laws and regulations that affect the business and its operations. In this email, Nastya mentions that their employment regulations need revisiting due to changes in pension rules and paternity/maternity rights (L). References: PESTLE Analysis Explained (With Examples) What is a PESTLE Analysis? A Complete PESTLE Analysis Guide - OnStrategy

• Question 40:

  EcoBags is a company that designs and makes eco-friendly shopping bags foe various clients An Internal analysis of the business has revealed the following information about the company.

  1.

  a) Recent investment in new machinery will enable the company to continue its innovation programme

  2.

  b) Feedback from customers and an Increase in sales suggests that Leo Bugs is recognised as a quality brand

  3.

  c) The number of staff currently employed in the company is sufficient to meet expected future growth

  4.

  d) The ability of EcoBags to respond quickly to new market demands has earned it an innovation award.

  5.

  e) The company has significant retained profits, which will help fund the innovation programme.

  Which of these would be considered as 'tangible' resources in a resource audit?

  A. a, b and d.

  B. b, c, and e.

  C. a, c and e.

  D. c, d, and e

  Correct Answer: C

  A resource audit is a technique for identifying and evaluating the resources that an organisation has or needs to achieve its objectives. It helps to assess the availability and quality of an organisation's resources, such as human, physical, financial and intangible resources. Therefore, option C is the correct answer, as it identifies which of these would be considered as `tangible' resources in a resource audit. Tangible resources are resources that have physical existence and can be seen or touched by human senses. Examples of tangible resources are machinery, equipment, buildings, materials, money etc. Option A identifies `a' (recent investment in new machinery), `c' (the number of staff currently employed in the company) and `e' (the company has significant retained profits) as tangible resources in a resource audit. These are correct examples of tangible resources in a resource audit, as they have physical existence and can be seen or touched by human senses. Option B identifies `b' (feedback from customers and an increase in sales), `c' (the number of staff currently employed in the company) and `e' (the company has significant retained profits) as tangible resources in a resource audit. These are incorrect examples of tangible resources in a resource audit, as `b' (feedback from customers and an increase in sales) is an intangible resource, not a tangible resource. Intangible resources are resources that have no physical existence and cannot be seen or touched by human senses. Examples of intangible resources are reputation, brand, knowledge, skills etc. Option D identifies `c' (the number of staff currently employed in the company), `d' (the ability of EcoBags to respond quickly to new market demands) and `e' (the company has significant retained profits) as tangible resources in a resource audit. These are incorrect examples of tangible resources in a resource audit, as `d' (the ability of EcoBags to respond quickly to new market demands) is an intangible resource, not a tangible resource. References: BCS Practitioner Certificate in BAP Specimen, page 34.