PC-BA-FBA-20 BCS Foundation Certificate in Business Analysis V4.0 Free Practice Exam Questions (2025 Updated)

One of the core principles of business analysis is the continuous need for negotiation and consensus building, particularly when dealing with conflicting stakeholder perspectives and requirements. Business analysis actively seeks to negotiate and resolve these conflicts rather than avoiding them, which is a key part of establishing a shared understanding of the problem and the proposed solution. The other options contradict established BA principles: the principle is to find root causes, not symptoms (leading to superficial and ineffective solutions); to investigate and evaluate multiple options, not just solutions (ensuring the optimal change is selected); and to focus on business improvement as the driver for any necessary IT system change, not the other way around. The BA role necessitates working across competing interests to reach a successful outcome, making negotiation a fundamental principle.

(Reference: BCS Business Analysis Practice – Principles of Business Analysis / Analysing and Managing Stakeholders)

To determine the position of the head of IT services on the power-interest grid , we need to evaluate their level of power/influence and interest in the project.

Key Considerations:

Power/Influence: The head of IT services holds a senior leadership role, which implies they have significant authority and influence over IT-related decisions and resources. This places them in the "high power" category.

Interest: Despite their authority, the head of IT services has not been actively involved in the project beyond the initial start-up interviews and has not attended any project meetings. This indicates a lack of ongoing engagement or interest in the project's progress.

Evaluation of Each Option:

A. High power or influence but low interest:The head of IT services has significant authority (high power) but is disengaged from the project (low interest).Conclusion: This is the correct answer .

B. Some power and influence and some interest:This option suggests moderate levels of both power and interest, which does not align with the head of IT services' senior role and lack of involvement.Conclusion: This is not correct .

C. High power or influence and high interest:While the head of IT services has high power, their lack of attendance at project meetings indicates low interest.Conclusion: This is not correct .

D. Low power and influence but high interest:The head of IT services clearly has high power due to their senior leadership role, so this option is incorrect.Conclusion: This is not correct .

Final Recommendation:

The head of IT services occupies the position of high power or influence but low interest on the power-interest grid.

The Business Change Lifecycle encompasses multiple stages, including alignment, analysis, design, implementation, and realisation. The role of a business analyst (BA) is versatile and can span across all these stages, depending on the project's needs.

Key Considerations:

Involvement Across All Stages: A business analyst can contribute to every stage of the lifecycle, from identifying business needs during alignment to ensuring benefits realization post-implementation.

Implementation Focus: While BAs are often heavily involved in implementation, their role is not limited to this stage.

Realisation Stage: BAs may also be involved in the realisation stage to validate that the intended benefits have been achieved.

Alignment Stage: Business analysis plays a critical role in aligning project objectives with organizational goals.

Evaluation of Each Option:

A. A business analyst can be involved at every stage in the lifecycle:This is true; BAs can contribute across all stages of the lifecycle.Conclusion: This is correct .

B. The business analyst is involved more heavily during the implementation stage of the lifecycle than any other stage:While BAs are often active during implementation, their involvement is not restricted to this stage.Conclusion: This is not correct .

C. The business analyst would not be involved in the realisation stage of the lifecycle:BAs can play a role in validating benefits realization, so this statement is false.Conclusion: This is not correct .

D. Business analysis does not take place in the alignment stage of a business change:Alignment involves understanding business needs and objectives, which is a core BA responsibility.Conclusion: This is not correct .