CBAP - Elicitation - 10 - Quiz, Flashcards & Trivia

1. Which elicitation technique requires you prepare by developing questions tailored to a specific stakeholder and having an interactive conversation?

A survey or questionnaire

Requirements workshop

Interview

Observation

An interview is an interaction conducted with a specific stakeholder. Questions must be developed ahead of the interview to make the best use of the stakeholder’s time. As the stakeholder answers one question, the business analyst may adjust his or her next question to follow a line of discussion. The business analyst may also develop additional questions as the interview progresses to trace a particular requirement or to clarify an unclear description.

Explanation

An interview is an interaction conducted with a specific stakeholder. Questions must be developed ahead of the interview to make the best use of the stakeholder’s time. As the stakeholder answers one question, the business analyst may adjust his or her next question to follow a line of discussion. The business analyst may also develop additional questions as the interview progresses to trace a particular requirement or to clarify an unclear description.

2. What is the BEST thing to do when you hear someone say, "The user doesn't know what she wants?"

Learn about the business on your own and make recommendations to the user.

Ask your project manager to have a different stakeholder assigned.

Maintain an open mind and discuss the business objectives and possible solutions.

Ask the user to let you know when she has decided on her requirements.

This statement is overused and misleading. A good business analyst will discuss the business needs and work with stakeholders to clarify requirements, and with the solution team to design an effective solution.

Explanation

This statement is overused and misleading. A good business analyst will discuss the business needs and work with stakeholders to clarify requirements, and with the solution team to design an effective solution.

3. The tasks in the Elicitation knowledge area should be performed in order. The correct order is:

Prepare, conduct, document, confirm.

Conduct, prepare, document confirm.

Document, prepare, conduct, confirm.

Prepare, document, conduct, confirm.

This is one of the few places in the BABOK® Guide where tasks need to be performed in order. The order is pretty logical and should be easy to remember. The only tricky part here is that you may perform these tasks concurrently. For the purposes of the exam, think of them as separate tasks.

Explanation

This is one of the few places in the BABOK® Guide where tasks need to be performed in order. The order is pretty logical and should be easy to remember. The only tricky part here is that you may perform these tasks concurrently. For the purposes of the exam, think of them as separate tasks.

4. When listening to a stakeholder describe a requirement, an excellent business analyst should:

Agree with the stakeholder about the business need.

Paraphrase the requirements back to the stakeholder make sure he or she understood the stakeholder.

Repeat the requirement in exactly the same words to make sure he or she heard it properly.

Write down the requirement in detail in his or her notes.

Repeating back in the exact words does not demonstrate understanding. Agreeing with the stakeholder about the need is not necessary. If you disagree, you should ask follow-up questions to make sure the requirement is accurate and necessary. Although it is important to write down the requirement, the first and most important task is to paraphrase to make sure the requirement is understood.

Explanation

Repeating back in the exact words does not demonstrate understanding. Agreeing with the stakeholder about the need is not necessary. If you disagree, you should ask follow-up questions to make sure the requirement is accurate and necessary. Although it is important to write down the requirement, the first and most important task is to paraphrase to make sure the requirement is understood.

5. Which elicitation technique would be MOST appropriate for a large stakeholder group?

Survey or questionnaire

Requirements workshop

Focus group

Interface analysis

A requirements workshop is a group elicitation technique, but not appropriate for groups of more than 20, because it requires every attendee to participate. A focus group usually includes 6-12 people. Interface analysis is not an elicitation technique. A survey or questionnaire is the most appropriate elicitation technique to use for a large stakeholder group.

Explanation

A requirements workshop is a group elicitation technique, but not appropriate for groups of more than 20, because it requires every attendee to participate. A focus group usually includes 6-12 people. Interface analysis is not an elicitation technique. A survey or questionnaire is the most appropriate elicitation technique to use for a large stakeholder group.

6. Interface analysis:

Is a structured analytical technique for identifying the root cause of a problem.

Refers to identification and design of outside connections required by the solution.

Describes software components that can “plug and play” automatically.

Describes how competitive forces in the industry impact each other.

Interface analysis is used to identify people, organizations, and systems that have some connection to the solution being developed. These connections or interfaces must be analyzed and designed to allow the solution to be implemented into an ongoing business operation.

Explanation

Interface analysis is used to identify people, organizations, and systems that have some connection to the solution being developed. These connections or interfaces must be analyzed and designed to allow the solution to be implemented into an ongoing business operation.

7. When selecting participants for a focus group, an advantage of a homogeneous group is:

Participants come from diverse backgrounds.

Participants will have diverse perspectives.

Participants will be comfortable with each other and willing to share.

Participants will be existing users of the product.

Diverse backgrounds and perspectives are advantages of selecting a heterogeneous group. Focus group participants are not necessarily users of a particular product. Most often, focus groups are built with homogeneous groups so the participants are comfortable talking together. They often come to agreement about ideas for future direction for the product or service being studied.

Explanation

Diverse backgrounds and perspectives are advantages of selecting a heterogeneous group. Focus group participants are not necessarily users of a particular product. Most often, focus groups are built with homogeneous groups so the participants are comfortable talking together. They often come to agreement about ideas for future direction for the product or service being studied.

8. Which elicitation techniques are BEST at the beginning of a project or when learning about the business?

Observation and interface analysis

Interviews and requirements workshops

Surveys and questionnaires

Observation and document analysis

The best techniques to use when learning about a new business area are observation and document analysis. These are best because the business analyst can obtain a significant amount of information about the current business without taking the time of stakeholders. Observation allows the business analyst to learn the business and also see possible opportunities for process improvements. Document analysis involves reading and researching available information on current business practices (annual report, operating procedures, industry publications), application software packages (vendor manuals, user manuals, access to the system itself), and performing competitive analysis.

Explanation

The best techniques to use when learning about a new business area are observation and document analysis. These are best because the business analyst can obtain a significant amount of information about the current business without taking the time of stakeholders. Observation allows the business analyst to learn the business and also see possible opportunities for process improvements. Document analysis involves reading and researching available information on current business practices (annual report, operating procedures, industry publications), application software packages (vendor manuals, user manuals, access to the system itself), and performing competitive analysis.

9. Which of the following is NOT an event-based elicitation technique?

Interview

Survey

Requirements workshop

Observation

By definition, an event-based elicitation technique involves direct interaction with stakeholders, and requires ground rules. Of the choices offered, a survey is the only technique that does not fit the definition.

Explanation

By definition, an event-based elicitation technique involves direct interaction with stakeholders, and requires ground rules. Of the choices offered, a survey is the only technique that does not fit the definition.

10. During elicitation, the business analyst should be:

Note taking, tracing, and capturing requirements attributes.

Tracing, documenting, and capturing requirements attributes.

Note taking, listening, and documenting.

Note taking, assessing performance, and capturing requirements attributes.

Documentation should not be done during elicitation, but afterward, if necessary. Performance assessment is not related to elicitation. Note taking is a critical part of elicitation. Tracing requirements should be done during the elicitation activity to follow linkages, and requirements attributes are characteristics of the requirements that should be captured.

Explanation

Documentation should not be done during elicitation, but afterward, if necessary. Performance assessment is not related to elicitation. Note taking is a critical part of elicitation. Tracing requirements should be done during the elicitation activity to follow linkages, and requirements attributes are characteristics of the requirements that should be captured.