CCBA Enterprise Analysis 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the PRIMARY output of enterprise analysis activities in business analysis?
- Detailed functional requirements
- A business case defining the problem, opportunity, and recommended solution approach (Correct answer)
- Technical architecture specifications
- Test plans and acceptance criteria
Correct answer: A business case defining the problem, opportunity, and recommended solution approach
Enterprise analysis produces a business case that defines the business problem or opportunity, analyzes options, and recommends an approach — the foundation for any subsequent project.
Enterprise analysis (also referred to as Strategy Analysis in BABOK v3) focuses on understanding the business context and producing a business case. The business case articulates the problem or opportunity, analyzes the current state, identifies and compares solution options, quantifies benefits and costs, and recommends the preferred approach to organizational leadership.
Question 2: A PESTLE analysis is used in enterprise analysis to assess which of the following?
- Project risks and mitigation strategies
- Macro-environmental factors affecting the organization (Correct answer)
- Requirements gaps and solution alternatives
- Stakeholder power and influence levels
Correct answer: Macro-environmental factors affecting the organization
PESTLE (Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Legal, Environmental) analysis examines macro-environmental factors that may impact the organization and its strategic options.
PESTLE analysis is a strategic planning tool used to evaluate the external macro-environment. Political factors include government policy and stability; Economic factors cover interest rates and economic growth; Social factors address demographics and culture; Technological factors include innovation and automation; Legal factors cover regulations and compliance; Environmental factors include sustainability and climate change. Together these help identify external threats and opportunities.
Question 3: In enterprise analysis, a 'capability gap' is BEST defined as:
- The difference between a stakeholder's salary and market rate
- The difference between current organizational capabilities and those needed to achieve strategic goals (Correct answer)
- A missing technical skill in the development team
- An unresolved conflict between two business units
Correct answer: The difference between current organizational capabilities and those needed to achieve strategic goals
A capability gap is the difference between the organization's current ability to perform and the capability required to achieve its strategic objectives.
Capability gap analysis compares the organization's current state capabilities (processes, people, technology, information) against the target state capabilities required to achieve strategic goals. Identifying capability gaps is foundational to enterprise analysis as it defines the scope of change needed and informs solution options.
Question 4: Which technique is MOST appropriate for identifying the root cause of a business problem during enterprise analysis?
- Cost-benefit analysis
- Fishbone (Ishikawa) diagram (Correct answer)
- RACI matrix
- Sprint planning
Correct answer: Fishbone (Ishikawa) diagram
The fishbone (Ishikawa or cause-and-effect) diagram is specifically designed to identify and categorize the root causes of a problem, making it ideal for enterprise-level problem analysis.
The fishbone diagram (also known as the Ishikawa or cause-and-effect diagram) is used to systematically explore and display the potential causes of a problem. Categories such as People, Process, Technology, Environment, and Materials are used to organize contributing factors, helping stakeholders identify root causes rather than just symptoms.
Question 5: What is the role of a 'feasibility study' in enterprise analysis?
- To negotiate contracts with vendors
- To assess whether a proposed solution is technically, financially, and operationally viable (Correct answer)
- To define the detailed design of the proposed system
- To assign tasks to the development team
Correct answer: To assess whether a proposed solution is technically, financially, and operationally viable
A feasibility study evaluates whether a proposed solution can realistically be implemented given technical, financial, operational, time, and legal constraints.
A feasibility study examines multiple dimensions of viability for a proposed solution: technical feasibility (can we build it?), financial feasibility (can we afford it and will the ROI justify it?), operational feasibility (can the organization operate it?), schedule feasibility (can we deliver on time?), and legal feasibility (does it comply with regulations?). It is a key input to the business case.
Question 6: How does a 'business architecture' inform enterprise analysis?
- By providing the technical specifications for the IT infrastructure
- By defining the organization's structure, processes, capabilities, and strategic direction (Correct answer)
- By listing the names and roles of all stakeholders
- By documenting the financial budget for the change initiative
Correct answer: By defining the organization's structure, processes, capabilities, and strategic direction
Business architecture provides a holistic view of the organization's structure, capabilities, processes, and strategy, giving business analysts the context needed for effective enterprise analysis.
Business architecture describes how an organization is structured to achieve its strategic objectives, encompassing its value streams, capabilities, organizational units, and information assets. For enterprise analysis, it provides the context for understanding current state capabilities, identifying gaps, and evaluating how proposed changes align with the broader organizational direction.
CCBA Enterprise Analysis 2
What is the PRIMARY output of enterprise analysis activities in business analysis?