CBAP Exam Results

According to the BABOK Guide, defining the business needs is the process of identifying the ends that the organization is seeking to achieve. Business goals and objectives are statements of the desired outcomes of the change initiative that align with the organization’s strategy and vision. They provide the context for identifying and evaluating alternative solutions that can satisfy the business needs. Alternative identification, solution assessment, and requirements are parts of other processes that follow defining the business needs. References:

• BABOK Guide, Chapter 5: Strategy Analysis, Section 5.1: Define the Business Need, p. 100-101
• CBAP Certification Study Guide v3.0, Chapter 5: Strategy Analysis, Section 5.1: Define the Business Need, p. 5-3 to 5-4

 A change-driven approach to business analysis is one that adapts to the changing needs and priorities of the stakeholders and the business environment. It focuses on delivering business value in short iterations, rather than following a fixed and detailed plan. A change-driven approach is often associated with agile methodologies, such as Scrum, Kanban, or XP, which emphasize collaboration, feedback, and continuous improvement. A change-driven approach can help business analysts respond to uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity, and deliver solutions that meet the customer’s expectations and satisfaction. References:

• Defining Business Analysis, section 1.3.2, page 7
• How to Choose the Right Business Analysis Approach, paragraph 4
• Business Analysis Approach, paragraph 2
• The Agile Business Analysis Approach Means…, paragraph 1
• Defining the Business Analysis Approach in 2023, paragraph 2

Stakeholder analysis is performed as soon as a business need is identified, as this is the first step in the business analysis process. Stakeholder analysis helps to identify who are the people or groups that have an interest or influence in the project, what are their needs and expectations, and how to engage them effectively. Stakeholder analysis is essential for defining the project scope, objectives, requirements, risks, and success criteria. Stakeholder analysis is also an ongoing process that should be revisited throughout the project lifecycle, as stakeholders may change or new ones may emerge12. References:

• Stakeholder Analysis: Overview, Tools and Techniques - KnowledgeHut
• How to Perform a Stakeholder Analysis | Lucidchart

A capabilities gap assessment is a process of identifying and analyzing the gaps between the current and desired capabilities of an organization. It helps to determine what new capabilities are needed to achieve the business goals and objectives, and to seize the business opportunities1. A business opportunity is the chance to take advantage of an occurrence in the market for business gain. It involves some kind of favourable condition that can be used to create and implement ideas and innovations, solve problems, and maximize profits2.

If an organization does not have the necessary resources and technology to seize a business opportunity, the most likely course of action is to launch a new project. A project is a temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique product, service, or result3. By launching a new project, the organization can allocate the required resources and technology, define the project scope, schedule, and budget, and deliver the desired outcome. A new project can also help the organization to close the capabilities gap, improve its performance, and gain a competitive advantage in the market.

The other options are less likely or not feasible. Hiring additional resources or contractors may not be enough to close the capabilities gap, as they may not have the relevant skills, knowledge, or experience. Moreover, hiring may incur additional costs and risks for the organization. Moving onto the next opportunity may not be a wise decision, as it may result in losing a valuable chance to grow the business and satisfy the customer needs. Therefore, launching a new project is the best course of action for the organization. References:

• Capabilities Based Assessment (CBA) - AcqNotes
• What Is Business Opportunity? – Importance, Types … - Feedough
• Project Management Basics: What Is a Project? | PMI