PMI-PBA Exam Questions

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101.

A stakeholder requests a change that, while beneficial, would deviate significantly from the original project scope. How should you respond to this request?

  • Explain the impact of the change and recommend alternative solutions

  • Approve the change request, as it would benefit the project

  • Reject the change request, as it deviates from the original scope

  • Initiate a change control process to formally evaluate the change request and its impact

Correct answer: Explain the impact of the change and recommend alternative solutions

To achieve favorable project outcomes, adopting a consultative approach is prudent. Educating stakeholders about potential consequences (impact on project scope, timeline, and budget) arising from changes and presenting alternative solutions aligned with project objectives will significantly enhance the project's success.

Approving the change without considering its impact could lead to scope creep and jeopardize the project's success.

Outright rejection might not be the best approach, as the change could still be valuable if it can be accommodated within the project's constraints.

A change control process might be necessary. The business analyst should first discuss the impact with the stakeholder to explore alternative solutions.

102.

When selecting a solution evaluation method, which factor is the most important to consider?

  • Type of data needed to answer the evaluation questions

  • Cost of the evaluation method

  • Complexity of the solution

  • Availability of resources for conducting the evaluation

Correct answer: Type of data needed to answer the evaluation questions

The evaluation method should be chosen based on the specific questions you want to answer and the type of data needed to do so.

Cost is a factor, but not the primary one.

Complexity of the solution directly influences the method selection, but the data needs are paramount.

Resources are a constraint and important to consider, but they should be aligned with the data needs.

103.

You are working on a large-scale project to develop a new machine learning system for a premier ed-tech company. The project involves multiple stakeholders with varying interests. 

Which document best outlines the tasks and techniques required to elicit, analyze, document, and manage requirements throughout the lifecycle of the project?

  • Business analysis plan

  • Work breakdown structure (WBS)

  • Story mapping

  • Rolling wave planning

Correct answer: Business analysis plan

The business analysis plan provides a blueprint for how business analysis activities such as requirements elicitation, analyzing data and documents, and creating considerations for future state transition will be orchestrated.

A Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) helps analysts break down project deliverables, not analyze business planning activities.

Story mapping involves visualizing the customer/user journey and identifying features, not analyzing business planning activities.

Rolling wave planning helps to tackle phased planning, not analyze business planning activities.

104.

You've received the final test report for a new mobile app. Which of the following would be the most important aspect to validate against the requirements acceptance criteria?

  • Successful completion of all test cases outlined in the test plan

  • Overall user interface design and aesthetics

  • Number of downloads and user reviews

  • App's performance in speed and memory usage

Correct answer: Successful completion of all test cases outlined in the test plan

Validation is a crucial step in software development, ensuring the alignment of the developed solution with predefined requirements and user expectations. Successful test case completion directly signifies the achievement of this goal.

User interface design and aesthetics are important, but the main goal of validation is functionality.

The amount of downloads and user reviews are indicators of popularity, not necessarily the app's adherence to requirements.

Performance is a crucial factor, but the true measure of meeting requirements lies in the successful completion of test cases, which offers more concrete evidence of compliance.

105.

During a requirements validation session, a stakeholder suggests a new requirement that was not identified during elicitation. What is your most appropriate response?

  • Acknowledge the requirement, document it, and assess its impact

  • Reject the requirement immediately because it wasn't captured initially

  • Document the requirement and add it to the baseline without further analysis

  • Thank the stakeholder for their input and explain that new requirements cannot be considered at this stage

Correct answer: Acknowledge the requirement, document it, and assess its impact

New requirements can emerge even after initial elicitation. A professional BA should acknowledge the suggestion, document it formally as a change request, and then evaluate its impact on the project scope, timeline, and budget.

Rejecting the requirement outright can alienate stakeholders and miss potential valuable additions.

Adding it without analysis can lead to scope creep and unforeseen consequences.

While explaining the formal change process is important, simply dismissing the suggestion isn't constructive.

106.

While analyzing requirements, you discover that a nice-to-have feature requires a significant amount of development effort. What is the most appropriate course of action?

  • Reevaluate the feature's priority in collaboration with stakeholders

  • Remove the feature from the scope to avoid unnecessary delays

  • Proceed with developing the feature, as it might delight the users

  • Defer the feature to a future phase of the project

Correct answer: Reevaluate the feature's priority in collaboration with stakeholders

The feature might be nice to have, but the development effort it demands necessitates a careful review. It's crucial to reengage stakeholders to discuss the value proposition versus the effort required and make an informed decision about its priority.

Removing the feature without stakeholder input might overlook potential value.

Proceeding without considering the effort could lead to delays and cost overruns.

Deferring without reevaluation might mean missing an opportunity to deliver value if the feature is actually important.

107.

A project is experiencing a high rate of requirement changes. What should you do to ensure effective communication of these changes to stakeholders?

  • Create a centralized communication plan outlining how changes will be communicated

  • Send individual emails for each change to all stakeholders

  • Update the requirements documentation and inform stakeholders where to find it

  • Schedule regular meetings with stakeholders to discuss all changes in detail

Correct answer: Create a centralized communication plan outlining how changes will be communicated

By establishing a centralized communications plan, project teams can proactively ensure that all members are aware of the project's communication protocols, including when and how updates will be shared. This proactive approach minimizes confusion and keeps everyone informed, promoting effective collaboration and decision-making within the team.

Sending individual emails could overwhelm stakeholders with too many notifications.

Updating the requirements documentation is helpful, but stakeholders might not know when to check for updates.

Scheduling regular meetings might not be practical for frequent changes and could lead to inefficient communication.

108.

A software tech project team is transitioning from a solely waterfall framework to an Agile development methodology. You now need to adapt your business analysis plan to ensure effective partnership and communication among team members. 

What should be included in the plan to enhance collaboration and communication within the newly Agile-focused team?

  • Regular collaboration point scheduling

  • Defined upfront requirements documentation

  • Established strict change control processes

  • Limited stakeholder involvement

Correct answer: Regular collaboration point scheduling

In Agile methodologies, frequent communication and collaboration are paramount. Regularly scheduled collaboration points serve as structured platforms for feedback, decision-making, and adaptable responses to evolving requirements.

In Agile projects, detailed upfront requirements documentation is not prioritized. Instead, the emphasis is on collecting and documenting requirements as needed, in a timely manner, focusing on the most immediate and relevant information.

Establishing strict change control processes is counterproductive for Agile teams since the methodology's main purpose is to embrace change and flexibility.

Limiting stakeholder involvement is counterproductive for Agile teams since the methodology encourages active stakeholder involvement throughout the project.

109.

You are preparing to present the requirements baseline to stakeholders for final sign-off. Which of the following is the most important factor to consider when selecting the presentation format?

  • The stakeholders' preferred communication styles

  • Technical complexity of the requirements

  • Project manager's availability

  • Amount of time allocated for the presentation

Correct answer: The stakeholders' preferred communication styles

Understanding and catering to the stakeholders' preferred communication styles (e.g., visual, auditory, kinesthetic) ensures the information is presented in a way they can easily understand and digest, leading to more effective decision-making.

Technical complexity is a factor, but it should not dictate the presentation format. The goal is to make the requirements clear to all stakeholders regardless of their technical background.

The project manager's availability is important for scheduling but not for selecting the presentation format.

The allocated time should be considered, but the primary focus should be on effective communication of the requirements regardless of time constraints.

110.

You are working on a project to automate a complex manufacturing process. To ensure the requirements accurately reflect the intricate workflows and dependencies, which validation method would be most suitable?

  • Simulation

  • Walkthrough

  • Inspection

  • Prototype 

Correct answer: Simulation

Simulation allows you to model the manufacturing process and test the requirements under various scenarios. This helps identify potential bottlenecks, errors, or inconsistencies in the requirements before implementation.

Walkthroughs are useful for explaining requirements but not for testing complex processes.

Inspections primarily focus on identifying errors in documentation, not validating complex processes.

Prototypes may not be feasible for complex manufacturing processes and might not accurately represent the intricacies of the workflow.

111.

You're working on a large project with a distributed team. Which technique would best ensure that everyone's voice is heard?

  • Online tool with real-time collaboration features

  • Brainstorming session with all team members

  • Email surveys to gather individual preferences

  • Face-to-face meeting with key stakeholders

Correct answer: Online prioritization tool with real-time collaboration features

For a distributed team, an prioritization online tool allows for asynchronous input, real-time collaboration, and transparent tracking of prioritization decisions. This fosters inclusivity and ensures everyone's voice is heard regardless of location.

Brainstorming sessions might be difficult to schedule and manage across time zones.

Email surveys lack the interactive discussion needed for effective prioritization.

Face-to-face meetings might not be feasible for a distributed team.

112.

Which of the following is not a typical criterion used in evaluating solution options?

  • Project timeline

  • Technical feasibility

  • Strategic alignment

  • Stakeholder impact

Correct answer: Project timeline

Timelines are important for project planning and execution, but they are not a direct criterion for evaluating the suitability of a solution itself. The focus should be on whether the solution meets the functional and non-functional requirements, aligns with the organization's strategy, and has a positive impact on stakeholders.

Technical feasibility assesses whether the solution can be built with available technology and resources.

Strategic alignment ensures the solution supports the organization's overall goals and objectives.

Stakeholder impact considers how the solution will affect different stakeholders and their needs.

113.

What is the primary purpose of a sign-off document for the requirements baseline?

  • Formally record stakeholder agreement and commitment to the requirements

  • Document the project's overall objectives and success criteria

  • Serve as a legal contract between the project team and stakeholders

  • Provide a detailed technical specification of the solution

Correct answer: Formally record stakeholder agreement and commitment to the requirements

The sign-off document is a formal record of stakeholder approval of the requirements baseline. It confirms their understanding of the requirements and their commitment to the project scope as defined in the document.

Project objectives are typically documented in the project charter.

The sign-off document is not a legal contract, although it can be referenced in contracts.

Technical specifications are usually separate documents developed during the design phase.

114.

You are tracking requirements using a traceability matrix. Which of the following information would not typically be included in the matrix?

  • Stakeholder feedback

  • Requirement ID

  • Requirement description

  • Test case ID

Correct answer: Stakeholder feedback

Stakeholder feedback is typically documented in separate documents or communication channels rather than being directly incorporated into the traceability matrix.

To effectively identify and monitor specific requirements, the requirement ID plays a vital role and is incorporated into the traceability matrix, enabling the clear identification and tracking of individual requirements throughout the development process.

The requirement description, which is part of the traceability matrix, offers the context and specifics of the requirement.

Within the traceability matrix, each test case ID establishes a direct connection between a specific requirement and the tests designed to validate that requirement.

115.

A requirement has been successfully implemented and passed user acceptance testing. What is the most appropriate status update for this requirement?

  • Closed

  • Done

  • Verified

  • Deployed

Correct answer: Closed

Closed is the most appropriate status for a requirement that has been fully implemented, tested, validated, and deployed. It indicates that the requirement is no longer active and has been successfully delivered.

Done might be used in some methodologies, but Closed is more specific and indicates that all activities related to the requirement have been completed.

Verified usually refers to the completion of testing but not necessarily deployment.

Deployed indicates that the requirement has been released to production, but it doesn't imply that it has been closed or that all associated activities are completed.

116.

A project is facing scope creep due to numerous small requirement changes. Which traceability method would be most effective in identifying the source and impact of these changes?

  • Bidirectional traceability

  • Forward traceability

  • Backward traceability

  • Impact analysis 

Correct answer: Bidirectional traceability

Bidirectional traceability is the most comprehensive approach, allowing you to trace the requirement both forward (to see what it impacts) and backward (to see where it came from). This is crucial in understanding the full picture of scope creep.

Forward traceability only shows how a requirement is implemented, not its origin, which is important for understanding the source of scope creep.

Backward traceability only shows the origin of a requirement, not its impact on other elements, which is needed to assess the extent of scope creep.

Impact analysis is a valuable tool for understanding the consequences of changes, but it doesn't directly help identify the source of those changes, which is key in addressing scope creep. Bidirectional traceability is needed to determine where the change originated, then impact analysis can be used to understand its full effects.

117.

What is the primary purpose of an interface specification in requirements documentation?

  • Specify the interaction points between the system and its users or other systems

  • Define the data elements and their attributes that will be used in the system

  • Describe the user's goals and needs for a particular feature or functionality

  • Outline the steps a user takes to complete a specific task within the system

Correct answer: Specify the interaction points between the system and its users or other systems

An interface specification defines how the system will interact with users (e.g., through a graphical user interface) or with other systems (e.g., through APIs). It details the screens, inputs, outputs, and data exchange formats.

Defining the data elements and their attributes is the purpose of a data dictionary.

Describing the user's goals and needs is the purpose of a user story.

Outlining the steps a user takes to complete a specific task is the purpose of a use case.

118.

You are writing requirements for a new mobile banking application. One of the requirements is that the app must be able to process transactions securely. What is this requirement best categorized as?

  • Non-functional requirement

  • Functional requirement

  • Stakeholder requirement

  • Technical requirements

Correct answer: Non-functional requirement

Non-functional requirements define the qualities or characteristics of a system, such as performance, security, usability, and reliability. The requirement for secure transaction processing falls under the security aspect, making it a non-functional requirement.

A functional requirement defines what a system should do (e.g., transfer funds between accounts).

A stakeholder requirement represents the needs or expectations of stakeholders.

A technical requirement specifies the technical aspects of a solution (e.g., the programming language to be used).

119.

You are analyzing a complex business process that involves multiple departments and stakeholders. You need to identify the bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and potential areas for improvement in the process. 

Which of the following modeling techniques would be most effective in visualizing the flow of activities and resources within the process?

  • Process map

  • State diagram

  • Use case diagram

  • Interaction matrix

Correct answer: Process map

Process maps are specifically designed to represent the flow of activities and resources within a process. Also called process flows, they use standardized symbols to depict steps, decision points, inputs, outputs, and the sequence of events. This visual representation makes it easier to identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and areas for improvement.

Unlike activity flow diagrams, state diagrams emphasize the various system states rather than the sequence of activities.

A use case diagram depicts interactions between users and a system rather than the intricate steps involved in a process.

An interaction matrix shows relationships between components, not the flow of activities in a process.

120.

What is the primary purpose of defining evaluation criteria before implementing a solution?

  • Establish a baseline for measuring the solution's performance

  • Identify potential risks and mitigation strategies

  • Estimate the cost of the solution evaluation process

  • Ensure that all stakeholders agree on the success criteria

Correct answer: Establish a baseline for measuring the solution's performance

Evaluation criteria act as the measuring stick to assess the effectiveness of a solution. They offer a structured framework to ensure that the business solution aligns with its intended purpose and delivers the expected results. Establishing evaluation criteria entails defining specific and measurable parameters to assess the solution's efficacy, efficiency, suitability, impact, and scalability.

By implementing evaluation criteria, stakeholders can objectively evaluate a solution's performance, make informed decisions, and ensure that it meets their objectives and requirements.

While risk identification is significant, it is not the primary goal of evaluation criteria.

Cost estimation is a separate activity, not directly tied to defining criteria.

Stakeholder agreement is important, but the primary purpose is measurement.