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.... a) Aims to supply 10% of the local bespoke furniture market by the end of the financial year. b) Will Invest In local radio advertising and appoint a creative team to develop an appropriate advertisement c) Will await the final draft of the annual accounts before considering investing in a new range of high-tech chairs. d) Will adopt new 3D printing technologies to gain an advantage when quoting for bespoke furniture designs 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?
Correct Answer: A
Explanation 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
BAPv5 Exam Question 12
The directors of Swift Despatch believe they might be able to improve their service and reduce costs by opening a distribution centre in Coventry A team has been created to investigate this further, including representatives of logistics, property and marketing Yasmin has been asked to advise on how the Business Case should be progressed at this point. What SHOULD she advise?
Correct Answer: A
Explanation A high level Business Case is a document that provides a preliminary rationale and justification for a proposed business change or solution. It helps to establish the feasibility and desirability of the project and secure initial approval and funding for further investigation and development. Therefore, option A is the correct answer, as creating a high level Business Case would be the best activity to undertake at this point for introducing a new procurement system. A high level Business Case would help to define the problem or opportunity that motivates the project, identify and compare different procurement solutions based on their expected benefits, costs, risks and impacts, and recommend the preferred option for further analysis and evaluation. A high level Business Case would provide a solid foundation for proceeding with the project and preparing a detailed Business Case later on. Option B is not a correct answer, as creating a detailed Business Case would not be an appropriate activity to undertake at this point for introducing a new procurement system. A detailed Business Case is a document that provides a comprehensive rationale and justification for a proposed business change or solution. It helps to confirm the viability and worthiness of the project and secure final approval and funding for implementation and delivery. A detailed Business Case would require conducting extensive research and analysis on the preferred procurement solution and presenting its definitive benefits, costs, risks and impacts. A detailed Business Case would be premature and unnecessary at this point, as it would depend on the outcome of the high level Business Case first. Option C is not a correct answer, as it is too early to work on the Business Case would not be an appropriate activity to undertake at this point for introducing a new procurement system. Working on the Business Case is an essential activity for any project that involves significant business change or investment. It helps to provide evidence and support for the project and ensure its alignment with the organisation's strategy and objectives. Working on the Business Case would not be too early at this point, as it would help to establish the feasibility and desirability of the project and secure initial approval and funding for further investigation and development. Option D is not a correct answer, as confirming with the directors the costs and benefits would not be an appropriate activity to undertake at this point for introducing a new procurement system. Confirming with the directors the costs and benefits would require preparing a high level Business Case first to estimate and compare the financial implications of different options and recommend the best one for further development and implementation. Confirming with the directors the costs and benefits without preparing a high level Business Case first would risk providing inaccurate or incomplete information that may not reflect the value or feasibility of the project. References: BCS Practitioner Certificate in BAP Specimen, page 33.
BAPv5 Exam Question 13
Which TWO of the following descriptions apply to a Business Activity Model (BAM)'?
Correct Answer: A,D
Explanation A Business Activity Model (BAM) 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. Therefore, options A and D are correct answers, as they apply to a BAM. Option A applies to a BAM, as multiple BAMs could be created to reflect different perspectives of different stakeholder groups within or outside the organisation or project. A BAM is not a single or definitive representation of the business activities, but a subjective and contextual view that depends on the purpose and scope of the analysis. Option D applies to a BAM, as the activities are most likely to be shown in boxes in a BAM. A BAM is typically represented as a diagram that consists of boxes and arrows. The boxes represent the high level activities that the organisation performs or delivers, and the arrows represent the flow or sequence of the activities. Option B does not apply to a BAM, as the owner should not always choose the final BAM. The owner is one of the stakeholder groups that may have a perspective on the business activities, but not the only or ultimate one. The final BAM should be agreed by all relevant stakeholder groups based on their needs and expectations. Option C does not apply to a BAM, as normally a consensus BAM will not be produced. A consensus BAM is a BAM that reflects a common or shared perspective of all stakeholder groups within or outside the organisation or project. A consensus BAM is not realistic or desirable, as different stakeholder groups may have different or conflicting views on the business activities. Option E does not apply to a BAM, as dependencies between the activities are shown in a BAM. Dependencies between the activities are the relationships or connections that indicate how one activity affects or influences another activity. Dependencies between the activities are shown by the arrows in a BAM diagram. References: BCS Practitioner Certificate in BAP Specimen, page 43.
BAPv5 Exam Question 14
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?
Correct Answer: A
Explanation 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
BAPv5 Exam Question 15
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?
Correct Answer: A
Explanation 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.
