BAPv5 Sample Questions Answers

Gap analysis is a process of identifying and assessing the differences between the current state and desired state of an organisation or project. It helps to determine what needs to be done to achieve business objectives or solve business problems. Gap analysis typically involves three main steps: understand the existing situation, compare the desired situation and existing situation, and consider possible actions to address the gaps. Therefore, options A, B and C are correct answers, as they cover these steps in gap analysis. Option D is not a correct answer, as defining solutions to close gaps is not part of gap analysis itself, but rather a subsequent step that follows gap analysis. Gap analysis helps to identify what needs to be done, but not how it should be done. Option E is not a correct answer, as delivering solutions to close gaps is not part of gap analysis itself, but rather a final step that follows defining solutions. Gap analysis helps to identify what needs to be done, but not how it should be done or implemented.

 A stakeholder management strategy is a plan for how to engage and communicate with stakeholders based on their level of interest and influence in the organisation or project. A stakeholder management strategy can vary depending on the stakeholder’s position on the power/interest grid, which has four quadrants: high power, high interest; high power, low interest; low power, high interest; and low power, low interest. Therefore, option C is the correct answer, as it represents appropriate stakeholder management strategies for Harvey based on his position on the grid before and after his role change. Watch means to monitor the stakeholder’s level of interest and influence and keep them informed of relevant developments. This is suitable for when Harvey was in the low power, low interest quadrant, as he had little authority or concern over the project. Constant active management means to involve the stakeholder closely in the project and seek their input and feedback regularly. This is suitable for when Harvey moved to the high power, high interest quadrant, as he became the sponsor and owner of the project. Option A is not a correct answer, as keep informed means to provide the stakeholder with sufficient information and updates to maintain their interest and support. This is more suitable for when Harvey was in the low power, high interest quadrant, not the low power, low interest quadrant. Option B is not a correct answer, as ignore means to disregard the stakeholder’s views and needs and exclude them from communication. This is not a good strategy for any stakeholder, especially one who has some power or influence over the project. Option D is not a correct answer, as constant active management means to involve the stakeholder closely in the project and seek their input and feedback regularly. This is more suitable for when Harvey was in the high power, high interest quadrant, not the low power, low interest quadrant.

A business rule is a statement that defines or constrains some aspect of a business situation or problem or its solution. It helps to ensure consistency and compliance with policies, regulations, standards or criteria within an organisation or project. Business rules can be classified into four types: external constraints, internal policies, external procedures and internal procedures. Therefore, option B is the correct answer, as it identifies which types(s) of business rule have been described in this extract respectively. External constraints are business rules that originate from outside an organisation or project and are beyond its control or influence. They help to ensure compliance with laws, regulations, standards or criteria imposed by external authorities or bodies. An example of external constraints in this extract is legislation ensuring protection for the most vulnerable people in our society can affect the criteria, as it originates from outside the local council and is beyond its control or influence. Internal policies are business rules that originate from within an organisation or project and are under its control or influence. They help to ensure alignment with objectives, strategies, values or principles established by internal decision makers or influencers. An example of internal policies in this extract is the criteria are agreed by the council housing committee, who meet on a regular basis and seek to ensure that the criteria continue to enable effective housing allocation, as it originates from within the local council and is under its control or influence. Option A is not a correct answer, as it does not identify which types(s) of business rule have been described in this extract respectively. Internal policies and internal procedures are not the types of business rule that have been described in this extract. Internal procedures are business rules that specify how an activity or task should be performed or delivered within an organisation or project. They help to ensure quality and consistency of performance or delivery within an organisation or project. There is no example of internal procedures in this extract. Option C is not a correct answer, as it does not identify which types(s) of business rule have been described in this extract respectively. External constraints and external procedures are not the types of business rule that have been described in this extract. External procedures are business rules that specify how an activity or task should be performed or delivered outside an organisation or project. They help to ensure compatibility and interoperability of performance or delivery with external parties or systems. There is no example of external procedures in this extract. Option D is not a correct answer, as it does not identify any type of business rule that has been described in this extract.

An organisation chart is a diagram that shows the structure and relationships of an organisation. It helps to identify who are the members, roles, levels and units of an organisation and how they are connected or related. Therefore, options A and B are correct answers, as they are the information that Sara is likely to have learnt about the sponsor from the organisation chart. Option A is a correct answer, as their position in the company hierarchy is the information that Sara is likely to have learnt about the sponsor from the organisation chart. Their position in the company hierarchy is the level or rank of the sponsor within the organisation’s structure. It helps to indicate their authority, status and influence within the organisation. Option B is a correct answer, as their span of control is the information that Sara is likely to have learnt about the sponsor from the organisation chart. Their span of control is the number of people or units that report directly to the sponsor within the organisation’s structure. It helps to indicate their responsibility, workload and management style within the organisation. Option C is not a correct answer, as their culture within their team is not the information that Sara is likely to have learnt about the sponsor from the organisation chart. Their culture within their team is the shared values, beliefs, norms and behaviours of the sponsor and their team members within the organisation. It helps to indicate their motivation, satisfaction and performance within the organisation. Option D is not a correct answer, as their scope of responsibilities is not the information that Sara is likely to have learnt about the sponsor from the organisation chart. Their scope of responsibilities is the range or extent of tasks or activities that the sponsor has to perform or oversee within the organisation. It helps to indicate their objectives, outcomes and deliverables within the organisation. Option E is not a correct answer, as their preferred management style is not the information that Sara is likely to have learnt about the sponsor from the organisation chart. Their preferred management style is the way or approach that the sponsor uses to lead or direct their team members within the organisation. It helps to indicate their communication, delegation and feedback skills within the organisation.

Marketing is primarily concerned with the 4Ps: product, promotion, price and place. These are the elements of the marketing mix that an organisation can control or adjust to influence customer demand and satisfaction. Therefore, option B is the correct answer, as it identifies which of these activities would reflect the business perspective of the Marketing Manager of the IoA. Option A identifies ‘b’ (upgrade the website), ‘d’ (register candidates) and ‘e’ (analyse website activity) as activities that would reflect the business perspective of the Marketing Manager of the IoA. These are incorrect examples of activities that would reflect the business perspective of the Marketing Manager of the IoA, as they are not related to any of the 4Ps. Option B identifies ‘a’ (agree new qualifications), ‘b’ (upgrade the website) and ‘e’ (analyse website activity) as activities that would reflect the business perspective of the Marketing Manager of the IoA. These are correct examples of activities that would reflect the business perspective of the Marketing Manager of the IoA, as they are related to some of the 4Ps. ‘A’ (agree new qualifications) is related to product, as it involves developing and offering new qualifications that meet customer needs and expectations. ‘B’ (upgrade the website) is related to promotion, as it involves improving and communicating the features and benefits of qualifications to potential customers. ‘E’ (analyse website activity) is related to place, as it involves monitoring and evaluating how customers access and purchase qualifications through online channels. Option C identifies ‘a’ (agree new qualifications), ‘c’ (recruit new examiners) and ‘d’ (register candidates) as activities that would reflect the business perspective of the Marketing Manager of the IoA. These are incorrect examples of activities that would reflect the business perspective of the Marketing Manager of the IoA, as ‘c’ (recruit new examiners) is not related to any of the 4Ps. Option D identifies ‘b’ (upgrade the website), ‘c’ (recruit new examiners) and ‘e’ (analyse website activity) as activities that would reflect the business perspective of the Marketing Manager of the IoA. These are incorrect examples of activities that would reflect the business perspective of the Marketing Manager of the IoA, as ‘c’ (recruit new examiners) is not related to any of the 4Ps.

A SWOT analysis is a technique for identifying and evaluating the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats that affect an organisation or project. It helps to assess the internal and external factors that influence the performance and potential of the organisation or project. Therefore, options A, B and C are correct answers, as they should be included in the SWOT analysis for the company that sells van insurance. They describe different types of factors that affect the company’s situation and prospects. Option A describes an opportunity, which is a favourable or advantageous circumstance or situation that arises from the external environment and that can be exploited to achieve the objectives of the organisation or project. An example of an opportunity is the increase in home shopping, which has led to an increase in delivery drivers and vehicles across both markets. This creates a potential demand for van insurance that the company can cater to. Option B describes a weakness, which is a negative or unfavourable characteristic or situation that arises from the internal environment and that can hinder or prevent the achievement of the objectives of the organisation or project. An example of a weakness is the inability of the call centre to deal with the large influx of calls, which may result in poor customer service, dissatisfaction and loss of business. Option C describes a threat, which is a harmful or adverse circumstance or situation that arises from the external environment and that can endanger or damage the achievement of the objectives of the organisation or project. An example of a threat is the new regulatory hurdles following Brexit, which may affect the company’s ability to trade in Ireland and reduce its market share and revenue. Option D is not a correct answer, as strength is not a factor that has been discovered in the investigation for the SWOT analysis. A strength is a positive or favourable characteristic or situation that arises from the internal environment and that can facilitate or enhance the achievement of the objectives of the organisation or project. Option E is not a correct answer, as technology is not a type of factor that can be included in a SWOT analysis. Technology is an aspect of the external environment that can affect an organisation or project positively or negatively, depending on how it is used or adapted to.

A consensus BAM is a conceptual model that depicts the agreed view of what the organisation does or should do. It shows the high-level activities and the logical dependencies between them. By comparing the consensus BAM with the current situation, a gap analysis can identify where the organisation is not performing as desired or where there are opportunities for improvement. Therefore, option A is the correct answer.

A PESTLE analysis is a technique for identifying and evaluating the political, economic, social, technological, legal and environmental factors that affect an organisation or project. It helps to assess the opportunities and threats that arise from the external environment. Therefore, options A and B are correct answers, as they are categories of factors that can be included in a PESTLE analysis for a small manufacturing company. They describe different aspects of the external environment that influence the company’s situation and prospects. Option A describes a legal factor, which is a factor related to laws, regulations, standards or policies that govern an organisation or project. An example of a legal factor is an amendment to the Data Protection Act, which affects how information about employees’ payroll can be held by an organisation. Option B describes an economic factor, which is a factor related to money, markets, trade or resources that affect an organisation or project. An example of an economic factor is a change in electricity usage calculation by an electricity provider, which affects how much electricity costs for an organisation. Option C is not a correct answer, as political is not a factor that has been discovered in the investigation for the PESTLE analysis. A political factor is a factor related to government, politics, power or conflict that affect an organisation or project. Option D is not a correct answer, as technological is not a factor that has been discovered in the investigation for the PESTLE analysis. A technological factor is a factor related to science, innovation, invention or discovery that affect an organisation or project. Option E is not a correct answer, as environmental is not a factor that has been discovered in the investigation for the PESTLE analysis. An environmental factor is a factor related to nature, ecology, climate or geography that affect an organisation or project.

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.

 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, option D is the correct answer, as a BAM would help the business analyst to identify underlying causes of a problem with declining sales. A BAM would help to analyse how different activities within an organisation contribute or relate to sales performance and identify any gaps or issues that may affect sales performance. A BAM would help to compare current and desired situations or problems and identify what changes or improvements are needed to achieve desired situations or problems. Option A is not a correct answer, as customer journey maps are not a technique for identifying underlying causes of a problem with declining sales. Customer journey maps are a technique for visualising customer experiences with an organisation or product across different touchpoints and stages. They help to understand customer needs, expectations and emotions and how they are met or influenced by an organisation or product. Option B is not a correct answer, as scenario analysis is not a technique for identifying underlying causes of a problem with declining sales. Scenario analysis is a technique for exploring how different scenarios or situations could affect outcomes or impacts of an organisation or project. They help to test feasibility and desirability of different options or solutions under various circumstances or assumptions. Option C is not a correct answer, as use case diagram is not a technique for identifying underlying causes of a problem with declining sales. Use case diagram is a technique for modelling functional requirements of a system or product at a high level of abstraction. They help to understand what functions or features are required or provided by a system or product and how they interact with actors or users.

Gap analysis is defined as comparing a current state with a desired future state in order to determine where the current situation has “gaps” that need to be resolved and what actions are required to improve it. The guidance explains that when you have an agreed model of the desired future business system (the book uses a Business Activity Model as an example of an agreed “future view”), the analyst should examine the activities on that model one by one to see where the current business system is lacking. This is exactly what option A states: the agreed TOM (as a target picture of “how the business should operate”) becomes the reference point for assessing deficiencies, inadequacies, or missing capabilities in today’s way of working.

The documented gap analysis procedure reinforces this by explicitly instructing analysts to examine the activities on the future-state model, consider how well each activity is currently carried out (and supported by information systems), and then analyse the gaps between the existing and desired systems to identify improvements. Options B, C, and D may be useful activities in other contexts (e.g., stakeholder negotiation or external analysis), but they are not the core way the target model is used to perform a gap analysis as described in the guidance.

A workshop is a technique for conducting group discussions and activities with stakeholders to elicit, analyse, validate and prioritise their views and needs. It helps to facilitate effective communication and collaboration among stakeholders and resolve conflicts or issues. Therefore, options B, D and E are correct answers, as they are possible reasons why Paul did not use a workshop to avoid delays. They describe different challenges or constraints that may prevent or limit the use of a workshop technique. Option B describes a challenge related to the geographical location of stakeholders. If the stakeholders are located in different time zones, it may be difficult or impractical to arrange a workshop that suits their availability and preferences. Option D describes a challenge related to the availability of stakeholders. If the key stakeholders have busy or conflicting schedules, it may be hard or impossible to organise a workshop that involves all of them at the same time. Option E describes a constraint related to the venue of the workshop. If a neutral venue is available for stakeholder discussions, it may be preferable or necessary to use it instead of a workshop, as it may reduce bias or influence from any stakeholder group. Option A is not a correct answer, as it is not a reason why Paul did not use a workshop to avoid delays. It describes an issue that may arise during a workshop, but not prevent or limit its use. If one stakeholder has a dominant personality, it may affect the dynamics and outcomes of the workshop, but it can be managed by using appropriate facilitation skills and techniques. Option C is not a correct answer, as it is not a reason why Paul did not use a workshop to avoid delays. It describes an objective that may be achieved by using a workshop, but not prevent or limit its use. If consensus from stakeholders needs to be established, it may be beneficial or essential to use a workshop, as it can help to reach a common understanding and agreement among stakeholders.

CATWOE is used to explore stakeholder perspectives by examining six elements: Customer, Actor, Transformation, Worldview (Weltanschauung), Owner, and Environment. The Environment element captures the external constraints and conditions that influence what the business system can do, regardless of internal preferences. The text illustrates “environment constraints” as factors outside day-to-day control that shape feasibility and behaviour (e.g., conditions that affect whether customers will buy in a particular way).

In this question, the stakeholder’s concern is about a potential change in government and the introduction of taxes on imported goods. This is not a “Transformation” (the conversion of inputs to outputs), nor is it a “Customer” definition. It also is not primarily a “Worldview,” which in the text is described as the stakeholder’s underlying belief system about why the organisation exists and how success is achieved. Instead, import taxes are an external political/legal constraint that would alter the economic assumptions of the business and could force a business model review.

This aligns squarely with the idea of external environmental influences described in the strategy analysis material (for example, political factors such as government policies and trade regulations/tariffs). Therefore, the stakeholder’s concern should be captured under Environment in CATWOE.

 The role of a business analyst (BA) is to analyse business situations and problems, identify and evaluate potential solutions, and facilitate change within an organisation or project. A BA works with stakeholders at different levels and with different interests and perspectives to understand their needs and expectations and ensure they are met by suitable solutions. Therefore, option C is not likely to be used by George’s manager in describing his role as a BA in resolving this problem. To negotiate with stakeholders to reach resolution implies that George has to persuade or compromise with stakeholders to agree on one solution or approach. This is not part of the BA’s role, as the BA does not have the authority or responsibility to make decisions or impose solutions on stakeholders. The BA’s role is to analyse and evaluate different solutions or approaches objectively and present the findings and recommendations to stakeholders for their consideration and approval. Option A is likely to be used by George’s manager in describing his role as a BA in resolving this problem. To understand and challenge the stakeholders means that George has to elicit and validate the stakeholders’ views and needs and question their assumptions and rationale. This is part of the BA’s role, as the BA has to ensure that the stakeholders’ views and needs are clear, consistent, realistic and aligned with the organisation’s strategy and objectives. Option B is likely to be used by George’s manager in describing his role as a BA in resolving this problem. To facilitate the discussion to allow the stakeholders to find a way forward means that George has to organise and conduct meetings or workshops with stakeholders to explore and evaluate different solutions or approaches and help them reach a consensus or agreement. This is part of the BA’s role, as the BA has to enable effective communication and collaboration among stakeholders and help them resolve conflicts or issues. Option D is likely to be used by George’s manager in describing his role as a BA in resolving this problem. To record the meeting and the resulting decision means that George has to document and communicate the outcomes and actions of the meeting or workshop with stakeholders and ensure they are understood and accepted by all parties. This is part of the BA’s role, as the BA has to ensure that there is a clear and accurate record of what has been discussed and decided by stakeholders and that there is a shared understanding and commitment among them.

A prototype is a simplified version of a proposed system or product that can be used to demonstrate its functionality and usability to the stakeholders. A prototype can be useful for communicating changes that involve new technology or software, as it allows the users to interact with the system and provide feedback. Therefore, option D is the best choice, as it would allow the scheduling team to see how the new telephony software and online booking system would work and how they would affect their process. Option A is not a good choice, as a business process model is a graphical representation of the activities, inputs, outputs and resources involved in a business process. It would not show how the new software would work or how the team would be split. Option B is not a good choice, as a business activity model is a high-level view of the business activities that take place within an organisation. It would not show the details of the scheduling process or the new software. Option C is not a good choice, as POPIT is an acronym for People, Organisation, Process, Information and Technology. It is a framework for taking a holistic view of a business situation, but it is not a tool for communicating changes.

A time based event is one that occurs at a regular or predetermined interval, such as monthly or quarterly. In this scenario, the printing of the monthly payslips is a time based event, as it happens every month. The notification from senior management is not an external or internal event, as it is not triggered by an external or internal stakeholder or situation. Therefore, option D is the correct answer.

POPIT is a technique for taking a holistic view when investigating a business situation or problem. It helps to ensure that all aspects and dimensions of a business situation or problem are considered and addressed. POPIT consists of four elements: People, Processes, Organisation and Information and technology. Therefore, options C and D are correct answers, as they are the elements of POPIT that consider these issues respectively. Option C considers issue 1: The suggested changes to the business structure will affect our relationships with suppliers. Organisation is the element that describes how an organisation is structured and governed internally and externally. It helps to identify who are involved in decision making and authority within an organisation and how an organisation relates to its stakeholders outside its boundaries. Issue 1 relates to organisation, as it involves changes to the business structure that will affect how the organisation interacts with its suppliers, who are external stakeholders. Option D considers issue 2: The proposed electronic data sharing with our suppliers will raise legal accessibility issues. Information and technology is the element that describes how information and data are created, stored, accessed, used and communicated within an organisation using technology systems and tools. It helps to identify what information and data are needed and available for an organisation to perform its activities and processes effectively and efficiently using appropriate technology systems and tools. Issue 2 relates to information and technology, as it involves electronic data sharing with suppliers using technology systems that will raise legal accessibility issues regarding information security and privacy. Option A does not consider any issue in this scenario. People is the element that describes who are involved in performing or supporting the activities and processes within an organisation. It helps to identify what skills, knowledge, attitudes and behaviours are required and exhibited by people within an organisation to perform their roles and responsibilities effectively and efficiently. There is no issue in this scenario that relates to people. Option B does not consider any issue in this scenario. Processes is the element that describes what activities and tasks are performed within an organisation to achieve its objectives and outcomes. It helps to identify how activities and tasks are sequenced, coordinated, controlled and measured within an organisation to ensure quality and consistency. There is no issue in this scenario that relates to processes. Option E is not a valid element of POPIT. Procedures is not an element of POPIT, but a term that refers to the detailed steps or instructions for performing a specific activity or task within a process.

A workshop is a technique for conducting group discussions and activities with stakeholders to elicit, analyse, validate and prioritise their views and needs. It helps to facilitate effective communication and collaboration among stakeholders and resolve conflicts or issues. Therefore, option D is the correct answer, as a workshop would help the business analyst to resolve the conflict and gain a consensus among stakeholders who have different views after individual interviews. A workshop would help to bring together the conflicting stakeholders in one place and time and enable them to share and compare their views openly and constructively. A workshop would help to identify and address the sources and reasons of the conflict and find common ground and mutual understanding among stakeholders. A workshop would help to generate and evaluate different options or solutions that satisfy all or most of the stakeholder views and agree on the best one for further development and implementation. Option A is not a correct answer, as scenario analysis is not a technique for resolving conflict and gaining consensus among stakeholders who have different views after individual interviews. Scenario analysis is a technique for exploring how different scenarios or situations could affect the outcomes or impacts of an organisation or project. It helps to test the feasibility and desirability of different options or solutions under various circumstances or assumptions. Option B is not a correct answer, as questionnaire is not a technique for resolving conflict and gaining consensus among stakeholders who have different views after individual interviews. Questionnaire is a technique for collecting information from stakeholders by asking them predefined questions in written form. It helps to elicit quantitative or qualitative data from a large number of stakeholders in an efficient and consistent way. Option C is not a correct answer, as observation is not a technique for resolving conflict and gaining consensus among stakeholders who have different views after individual interviews. Observation is a technique for gathering information from stakeholders by watching them perform their tasks or activities in their natural environment. It helps to analyse how stakeholders work in practice and identify their implicit or tacit needs.

CATWOE is a technique for exploring stakeholder business perspectives by identifying six elements: Customer, Actor, Transformation, Worldview, Owner and Environment. It helps to understand how different stakeholders perceive a business situation or problem and what they expect from a solution. Therefore, option D is the correct answer, as Paul and his business partner are in disagreement on their worldview element of CATWOE. Worldview is the element that describes the beliefs, values, assumptions or principles that underpin a stakeholder’s perspective. It helps to explain why a stakeholder thinks that a business situation or problem is worth addressing or solving. Paul and his business partner have different worldviews regarding the possibility of extracting natural gas from their land. Paul believes that it is a safe, profitable and reasonable option that will improve their financial situation. His business partner believes that it is a dangerous, unattractive and unacceptable option that will compromise their vision of living off the land. Option A is not a correct answer, as Paul and his business partner are not in disagreement on their customer element of CATWOE. Customer is the element that describes who benefits from or is affected by a business situation or problem or its solution. It helps to identify who are the main beneficiaries or victims of a business situation or problem or its solution. Paul and his business partner have the same customer, which is themselves as the owners of the farm. Option B is not a correct answer, as Paul and his business partner are not in disagreement on their actor element of CATWOE. Actor is the element that describes who carries out or performs a business situation or problem or its solution. It helps to identify who are responsible for implementing or delivering a business situation or problem or its solution. Paul and his business partner have the same actor, which is themselves as the owners of the farm. Option C is not a correct answer, as Paul and his business partner are not in disagreement on their transformation element of CATWOE. Transformation is the element that describes what changes or processes take place in a business situation or problem or its solution. It helps to identify what inputs are converted into outputs in a business situation or problem or its solution. Paul and his business partner have the same transformation, which is extracting natural gas from their land.

The business analysis guidance notes that reviewing a company website can reveal useful inferences about the organisation’s branding, values, priorities, and strategic positioning, including how it balances cost versus perceived quality. In particular, the guidance contrasts “populist” signals (primary colours, flashing icons, exclamation marks, “Bargain!” language) with a quieter, more restrained design, which tends to imply a more premium / quality-focused positioning.

The described site is muted (greys/whites), uses “lots of white space,” and includes only a few carefully chosen images. Those choices align strongly with conclusion D: the company is positioning its offering as high quality rather than “cheap and cheerful.” The seamless movement through information and concise, well-structured sections also indicate attention to usability and information architecture—signals consistent with high technical and design standards (conclusion C).

However, nothing in the description proves the firm is “well established” (A), “market leading” (B), or “very profitable” (E). Those claims require external evidence (market share, history, financial performance), whereas the website evidence supports positioning and quality/technical execution, not market status or profitability.

 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.

The statement commits to two outcomes: good quality accommodation and repairs addressed in a timely manner. The documentation emphasises that performance targets and measures must be chosen carefully and should reflect not only internal views but also customer expectations; otherwise performance may look “fine” internally while failing customers. It also stresses that KPIs/targets should be SMART and monitored regularly.

Option A provides a clear, measurable proxy for property condition: if emergency repairs are needed in a high proportion of properties, that indicates poor underlying condition and reactive maintenance. Setting a target like “no more than 5%” directly measures progress toward “good quality accommodation.”

Option C translates tenant experience into a clear target: limiting complaints about condition/repairs to a defined maximum per month is specific and measurable, and it reflects the customer perspective that the press statement is trying to reassure.

Option B is a valid measure but it is not defined as a target (it has no threshold), so it is less aligned to the question asking for “targets to measure performance against.” Option D measures media coverage, which is indirect and can be influenced by factors outside operational performance; it is not a reliable operational KPI for accommodation quality or repair timeliness. Therefore, A and C are the best targets.

A cost is an expenditure or sacrifice incurred or expected to be incurred as a result of a business change. A benefit is an advantage or improvement that is gained or expected to be gained as a result of a business change. Costs and benefits can be classified as tangible or intangible, depending on whether they can be measured in monetary terms or not. Therefore, options B and D are correct answers, as they describe intangible costs and benefits that are not easily quantified or valued. Intangible costs include the temporary reduction in productivity due to the introduction of new business policies and processes. Intangible benefits include the enhancement of the company’s reputation as the market leader due to being the first to receive compliance certification. Option A is not a correct answer, as tangible costs are not described in the extract. Tangible costs are those that can be measured in monetary terms, such as the cost of purchasing new equipment or hiring new staff. Option C is not a correct answer, as tangible benefits are not described in the extract. Tangible benefits are those that can be measured in monetary terms, such as the increase in revenue or decrease in expenses.

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.

In Porter’s Five Forces, “Threat of new entrants” assesses how easy it is for new organisations to enter an industry and compete, and it focuses heavily on barriers to entry. The business analysis text explains that new entrants are more likely to move into a market if it looks attractive and the barriers to entry are low, and it lists typical barriers created by incumbents or inherent in the domain. These include (among others) substantial investment required and other structural constraints that make entry difficult.

In the scenario, Fund42morrow’s proposed new under-18 investment scheme requires regulatory approval and significant investment. Both are classic barriers to entry. Regulatory approval acts as a gatekeeper constraint: a new firm cannot legally operate until it satisfies the regulator’s requirements, which can slow entry, increase cost, and raise compliance risk. Significant investment is explicitly highlighted in the text as a barrier because a new entrant may struggle to obtain sufficient funds to compete effectively.

A competitor analysing this situation would therefore record Fund42morrow’s activity under Threat of new entrants, since it describes a potential new competitor entering the market and the barriers (approval and capital) that influence whether entry is feasible and how strong that competitive threat could become.

The documentation defines gap analysis as exploring the differences between a current state (“as is”) and a desired future state (“to be”). The emphasis is on understanding where the organisation wants to be and, by comparing with the current situation, identifying what needs to change to reach that target state. It also states that the outcome of gap analysis is a list of business requirements to be delivered—typically phrased at the “what” level rather than prescribing detailed solutions.

In this scenario, the retailer’s desired future state includes a more capable online experience and integration with inventory and other applications—this is fundamentally a change in capability. Therefore, identifying new and improved business capabilities (and capturing them in a target view such as a Target Operating Model) is exactly the kind of work performed in gap analysis: it clarifies what the future business system must be able to do, so gaps against the current capabilities can be identified and addressed.

By contrast, a Gantt chart (A/B) is delivery planning, not gap analysis; a RACI matrix (C) is a responsibilities definition; and brainstorming (D) is an idea-generation technique that may help option creation but is not the core “compare as-is to to-be and identify gaps” activity.

 Porter’s Five Forces model is a technique for analysing the competitive forces that affect an organisation or industry. It helps to assess the attractiveness and profitability of an organisation or industry. Porter’s Five Forces model consists of five forces: threat of new entrants, bargaining power of customers, bargaining power of suppliers, threat of substitute products and competitive rivalry. Therefore, option B is the correct answer, as these preliminary findings would be documented in the bargaining power of customers force of Porter’s Five Forces model. Bargaining power of customers is the force that measures the ability and influence of customers to affect the price, quality and quantity of products or services offered by an organisation or industry. It depends on factors such as customer concentration, switching costs, differentiation and loyalty. An example of bargaining power of customers in this scenario is the market is saturated, customers have a lot of choice and it is easy for them to switch from one bank to another, which implies that customers have high bargaining power and can demand lower prices or better services from banks. Option A is not a correct answer, as these preliminary findings would not be documented in the threat of new entrants force of Porter’s Five Forces model. Threat of new entrants is the force that measures the likelihood and impact of new competitors entering an organisation or industry. It depends on factors such as entry barriers, economies of scale, capital requirements and brand loyalty. An example of threat of new entrants in this scenario is an overseas bank launching a new bank in the UK, which implies that there is a potential threat of new entrants to the existing banks in the UK. Option C is not a correct answer, as these preliminary findings would not be documented in the bargaining power of suppliers force of Porter’s Five Forces model. Bargaining power of suppliers is the force that measures the ability and influence of suppliers to affect the price, quality and quantity of products or services supplied to an organisation or industry. It depends on factors such as supplier concentration, switching costs, differentiation and dependency. An example of bargaining power of suppliers in this scenario is the suggested changes to the business structure will affect our relationships with suppliers, which implies that suppliers may have some bargaining power over the organisation or industry. Option D is not a correct answer, as these preliminary findings would not be documented in the threat of substitute products force of Porter’s Five Forces model. Threat of substitute products is the force that measures the likelihood and impact of customers switching to alternative products or services that satisfy their needs or wants better than those offered by an organisation or industry. It depends on factors such as availability, price, quality and performance of substitute products or services. There is no example of threat of substitute products in this scenario.

A Business Activity Model (BAM) is a high-level view of the business activities that take place within an organisation. It shows how activities are related to each other and how they contribute to achieving business objectives. A BAM consists of five types of high-level activities: directing, enabling, doing, monitoring and controlling. A BAM can also show dependencies between activities using arrows to indicate which activity depends on another activity to start or finish. Therefore, option A is the correct answer, as it shows the dependencies between the four activities on the BAM correctly. Activity c (define lending policies) is a directing activity that sets the rules and guidelines for lending e-books to customers. It depends on no other activity and precedes all other activities. Activity b (establish licensing arrangements with publishers) is an enabling activity that secures the rights and permissions to lend e-books from different publishers. It depends on activity c and precedes activity a. Activity a (lend books) is a doing activity that provides e-books to customers according to their requests and preferences. It depends on activity b and precedes activity d. Activity d (monitor lending usage) is a monitoring activity that tracks and records how customers use and return e-books. It depends on activity a and follows all other activities.

In a SWOT analysis, the “strengths” and “weaknesses” are internal factors (within the organisation), while “opportunities” and “threats” are external factors (arising from outside the organisation). The documentation is explicit: strengths and weaknesses are found within the organisation, whereas opportunities and threats arise from outside and can often be identified using external analysis tools (for example PESTLE or Porter’s Five Forces).

Applying that rule to the options:

A (high-quality locally sourced ingredients) is an internal capability and therefore aligns with a strength.

D (lower staff morale) is an internal people/culture issue, therefore a weakness.

B (being asked to collaborate on distribution) is an external development that could create growth or access advantages, so it is more consistent with an opportunity.

C (a large chain bakery entering the area) is a change in the external competitive environment that could reduce the bakery’s market share, pricing power, and customer footfall. That fits the definition of a threat because it originates outside the bakery and could negatively affect performance.

Therefore, the correct external threat is C.