BCS BCS Certifications BAPV5 Questions & Answers

• Question 61:

  A group of stakeholders at FlyMe travel operators are in a meeting to discus the Business Activity Model (BAM) for a new subsidiary business. They are planning to launch a new offering, which will offer flight bundle' packages for organization that regularly need to send their staff overseas. The following activities have been identified so far:

  1. a) Monitor flight bundle' sates

  2. b) Sell "night bundles*

  3. c) Determine demand amongst existing customers

  4. d) Identify potential airline earners

  5. e) Determine 'flight bundle' locations,

  6. f) Define bundle pricing.

  Although the Operations Director for FlyMe is supportive of the new business proposition, she is not entirely convinced there is a gap in the market, nor is she confident that the idea will be profitable.

  With these concerns in mind, which planning activities will she be keen to ensure are discussed before the meeting ends?

  A. CF

  B. ACF

  C. ABDE

  D. BDE

  Correct Answer: A

  The Operations Director for FlyMe is concerned about the market demand and profitability of the new business proposition. Therefore, she will be keen to ensure that the planning activities that address these concerns are discussed before the meeting ends. These activities are c and f, as they involve determining the demand amongst existing customers and defining the bundle pricing. These activities will help to assess the feasibility and viability of the new offering. Option A is the correct answer.

• Question 62:

  Bessant Co.manufactures and sells clothing. The company is every profitable and the IT director would like to invest some of these profits into improving the technical infrastructure of the company, which would help the organic growth of the company. However, the finance director would like to use the profits to acquire one of its competitors.

  Shelly is the business analyst on this project and she recognises that the IT and finance director do not agree on the future direction of the business. Once prefers organic growth and the other, growth by acquisition.

  What technique COULD Shelly use to improve her understating ot these two different perspectives?

  A. CATWOE.

  B. The power/ interest grid

  C. SWOT analysis

  D. POPIT model.

  Correct Answer: A

  CATWOE is a technique that helps to understand different perspectives of a situation by analyzing six elements: Customers, Actors, Transformation process, Worldview, Owner, and Environmental constraints. Shelly could use CATWOE to

  improve her understanding of the IT and finance director's views on the future direction of the business, by identifying who are the customers, actors, owners, and so on for each option (organic growth or acquisition), and how they differ.

  Option A is the correct answer.

  References:

  What Is The CATWOE Analysis And Why It Matters In Business - FourWeekMBA CATWOE Analysis: A Holistic Approach to Problem Solving - SlideModel

• Question 63:

  The following is an excerpt from a job advert tor a Business Analyst

  "We are seeking an experienced Business Analyst to assist us in the development of formal written proposals. detailing the cost and benefit of proposed business initiatives. The successful candidate should be able to use a variety of methods to explore and define complex situations Experience of producing blueprints In terms of processes, management structures, culture and people would be highly advantageous-Based on the extract, what are the competencies required for this role?

  A. Subject matter expertise. Investigation techniques, Business architecture.

  B. Domain knowledge. Business modeling. Gap analysis.

  C. Business case development. Business modeling, Requirements engineering

  D. Business case development. Investigation techniques. Business architecture

  Correct Answer: D

  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. References: BCS Practitioner Certificate in BAP Specimen, page 33.

• Question 64:

  IT services has commissioned a new desktop PC replacement project that has been funded and running for three months, with a fully-engaged sponsor and programme manager appointed

  The head of IT services has not been involved beyond the initial project start-up interviews and has not attended any of the project meetings

  What position on the power interest and does the head of IT services currently occupy?

  A. High power or influence but low interest

  B. Some power and influence and some interest

  C. High power or influence and high interest

  D. Low power and influence but high interest

  Correct Answer: A

  A power/interest grid is a tool for analysing stakeholders based on their level of power or influence and their level of interest or involvement in the organisation or project. The grid has four quadrants: high power, high interest; high power, low interest; low power, high interest; and low power, low interest. The position of a stakeholder on the grid can help to determine the appropriate strategy for engaging and communicating with them. Therefore, option A is the correct answer, as the head of IT services currently occupies the high power, low interest quadrant. This means that he has the authority or ability to affect the outcome of the project, but he does not show much concern or involvement in it. Option B is not correct, as some power and influence and some interest would place the head of IT services in the middle of the grid, which is not a distinct quadrant. Option C is not correct, as high power or influence and high interest would place the head of IT services in the top right quadrant, which is not consistent with his lack of involvement. Option D is not correct, as low power and influence but high interest would place the head of IT services in the bottom right quadrant, which is not consistent with his authority. References: BCS Practitioner Certificate in BAP Specimen, page 19.

• Question 65:

  A report has been created into improving the scheduling of physio appointments at a major hospital An extract reads

  'The scheduling team have a strong set of skills that will not need to be updated However, the team should be split into two. one dealing with inpatients and one with outpatients The introduction of a new telephony software and an online booking system will also require changes to the process'

  How might these changes be BEST presented to communicate with the scheduling team'?

  A. Business Process Model

  B. Business Activity Model

  C. POPIT

  D. Prototype

  Correct Answer: D

  A prototype is a simplified version of a proposed system or product that can be used to demonstrate its functionality and usability to the stakeholders. A prototype can be useful for communicating changes that involve new technology or software, as it allows the users to interact with the system and provide feedback. Therefore, option D is the best choice, as it would allow the scheduling team to see how the new telephony software and online booking system would work and how they would affect their process. Option A is not a good choice, as a business process model is a graphical representation of the activities, inputs, outputs and resources involved in a business process. It would not show how the new software would work or how the team would be split. Option B is not a good choice, as a business activity model is a high-level view of the business activities that take place within an organisation. It would not show the details of the scheduling process or the new software. Option C is not a good choice, as POPIT is an acronym for People, Organisation, Process, Information and Technology. It is a framework for taking a holistic view of a business situation, but it is not a tool for communicating changes. References: BCS Practitioner Certificate in BAP Specimen, page 16.

• Question 66:

  A local council has decided to completely redesign the way it provides library lending services it plans to stop lending books and move towards an entirely online e-book lending model

  Four activities to be included in the Business Activity Model (BAM) are given below

  1.

  a) Lend books

  2.

  b) Establish licensing arrangements with publishers

  3.

  c) Define lending policies

  4.

  d) Monitor lending usage

  What will be the dependencies between these activities on the BAM?

  A. c->b->a->d

  B. d->c->a->b

  C. c->d->a->b

  D. c->a->b->d

  Correct Answer: A

  A Business Activity Model (BAM) is a high-level view of the business activities that take place within an organisation. It shows how activities are related to each other and how they contribute to achieving business objectives. A BAM consists of five types of high-level activities: directing, enabling, doing, monitoring and controlling. A BAM can also show dependencies between activities using arrows to indicate which activity depends on another activity to start or finish. Therefore, option A is the correct answer, as it shows the dependencies between the four activities on the BAM correctly. Activity c (define lending policies) is a directing activity that sets the rules and guidelines for lending e-books to customers. It depends on no other activity and precedes all other activities. Activity b (establish licensing arrangements with publishers) is an enabling activity that secures the rights and permissions to lend e-books from different publishers. It depends on activity c and precedes activity a. Activity a (lend books) is a doing activity that provides e-books to customers according to their requests and preferences. It depends on activity b and precedes activity d. Activity d (monitor lending usage) is a monitoring activity that tracks and records how customers use and return e-books. It depends on activity a and follows all other activities. References: BCS Practitioner Certificate in BAP Specimen, page 24.

• Question 67:

  A business analyst and a project manager are producing a business case for an initiative, which aims to improve the cyber defences of a large financial services provider

  They met recently to review progress and made the following notes for the next draft

  1. The benefits of cyber security will be hard to describe in quantitative terms, so we will need to describe these qualitatively.

  2 We need to make it clear that we have fully explored the solution market, and we have considered a range of approaches to meeting the objectives of this project.

  3. The threat posed to the organisation from cyber attack, and therefore the justification for this project, needs to be clearly articulated

  Which THREE sections of a business case will cover these points'?

  A. Options considered

  B. Analysis of costs and benefits

  C. Description of the current situation

  D. Recommendations

  E. Risk assessment

  Correct Answer: ABC

  A business case is a document that provides the rationale and justification for a proposed business change or solution. It helps to evaluate the benefits, costs, risks and impacts of different options and recommend the best one for further development and implementation. A business case typically consists of several sections, such as executive summary, description of the current situation, description of the desired situation, options considered, analysis of costs and benefits, risk assessment and recommendations. Therefore, options A, B and C are correct answers, as they cover the sections of a business case that will address the points noted by the business analyst and the project manager. Options considered is the section where different approaches or solutions to meet the objectives of the project are identified and described. It helps to show that a range of alternatives have been explored and evaluated. Analysis of costs and benefits is the section where the financial implications of each option are estimated and compared. It helps to show the expected value and return on investment of each option. Description of the current situation is the section where the problem or opportunity that motivates the project is clearly defined and articulated. It helps to show the justification and urgency for the project. Option D is not a correct answer, as recommendations is not a section of a business case that will address any of the points noted by the business analyst and the project manager. Recommendations is the section where the preferred option is selected and proposed based on the analysis and evaluation of other sections. Option E is not a correct answer, as risk assessment is not a section of a business case that will address any of the points noted by the business analyst and the project manager. Risk assessment is the section where the uncertainties and potential negative consequences of each option are identified and analysed. It helps to show how risks can be avoided, reduced or managed. References: BCS Practitioner Certificate in BAP Specimen, page 30.

• Question 68:

  Paula is a business analyst working for a small bespoke furniture manufacturing company. The newly appointed chief executive, Beverly, has asked Paula to lead an initiative to refresh and restate (where necessary) the organization's plan for the next financial year. Paula recently led a planning worksope with senior managers and has made the following notes about issues raised in the worshop:

  The company....

  1.

  a) Aims to supply 10% of the local bespoke furniture market by the end of the financial year.

  2.

  b) Will Invest In local radio advertising and appoint a creative team to develop an appropriate advertisement

  3.

  c) Will await the final draft of the annual accounts before considering investing in a new range of high-tech chairs.

  4.

  d) Will adopt new 3D printing technologies to gain an advantage when quoting for bespoke furniture designs

  5.

  e) Recognises that bespoke furniture will always be more expensive than mass-produced, standard furniture

  Which of these notes will go into her MOST analysis?

  A. ABD

  B. ABC

  C. BCE

  D. ADE

  Correct Answer: A

  The notes that will go into the MOST analysis are a, b and d, as they correspond to the elements of Mission, Strategy and Tactics. The mission is to supply 10% of the local bespoke furniture market by the end of the financial year (a). The strategy is to adopt new 3D printing technologies to gain an advantage when quoting for bespoke furniture designs (d). The tactics are to invest in local radio advertising and appoint a creative team to develop an appropriate advertisement (b). Note c is not part of the MOST analysis, as it is not related to any of the elements. References: MOST Analysis - What It Is And How To Use It - BusinessAnalystMentor.com MOST Analysis - Part Of The Business Strategy Toolkit - Boardroom Advisors

• Question 69:

  ParcelGo is a distribution company. Parcels arrive at its warehouse, where the inbound team use handheld barecode scanners to acknowledge their receipt. Parcels are then loaded onto pallets for onward distribution.

  A project as been commissioned to replace the labour-intensive process and introduce a fully-automated system ha reads he barecodes pf parcels as they pass along a coveryor belt, automatically delivering to the correct area of the warehouse for onward distribution.

  Staff from the inbound have informed their manager that about 30% of parcels either do not have barcodes, or the barcodes are obscured. The team currently resolves this issue manually. But the concerned that the new automated system will be able to do this. The staff members are also worried the system will make their roles redundant.

  Using a holist approach, which element of the POPIT model need further investigation in order to address the team`s concerns?

  A. Process and technology

  B. Information and technology

  C. People and process

  D. People and organisation

  Correct Answer: C

  The elements of the POPIT model that need further investigation are people and process. This is because the staff members have raised concerns about the compatibility of the new automated system with the current process of handling parcels without barcodes or with obscured barcodes, as well as the impact of the system on their job security. These concerns relate to the people element, which covers the roles, skills, attitudes, and behaviors of the staff, and the process element, which covers the activities, tasks, and procedures involved in delivering a service or product. Option C is the correct answer. References: POPIT Model ?Four View Model | Taking A Holistic Perspective | BusinessAnalystMentor.com The POPITTM Model | A Practical Guide To Delivering Results

• Question 70:

  Imran is the chief executive of FairCrops, a producer of ethically and sustainably sourced coffee and cocoa products. He is a true advocate of the FairCrops brand and has seen the positive impact of its approach in the South American regions in which It operates. He believed that there is a market for customers who want to ensure the products they consume have been purchased for a fair price and where the producer has not been unfairly treated.

  FairCrops provide their products via an exclusive contract with Donald, the owner of Rest House; a small chain of coffee shops.

  Ronaldo is a supplier to FairCrops. The prices he receives means he can provide for Ins family and enhance his crop yield through the advice and training provided by Alan, the FairCrops local representative and support officer

  From Imran's perspective, which of the following is a CORRECT partial CATWOE analysis of this situation?

  A. Customer = Donald, Actor = Alan. Owner = Imran

  B. Customer - Alan, Actor = Donald. Actor = Ronaldo

  C. Owner = Ronaldo. Actor = Donald. Customer = Imran

  D. Customer = Alan. Actor = Ronaldo. Owner = Imran.

  Correct Answer: A

  A partial CATWOE analysis of this situation from Imran's perspective would identify Donald as the customer, Alan as the actor, and Imran as the owner. Donald is the customer because he is the beneficiary of FairCrops' products and services. Alan is the actor because he is the one who implements FairCrops' approach in the South American regions. Imran is the owner because he is the chief executive of FairCrops and has the authority to make decisions about its direction and purpose. Option A is the correct answer. References: What Is The CATWOE Analysis And Why It Matters In Business - FourWeekMBA CATWOE Analysis: A Holistic Approach to Problem Solving - SlideModel