Passed Exam Today CBAP

A Pareto chart is a quality control tool that displays the frequency of defects or problems in descending order of importance. It helps to identify the most significant causes of poor quality and prioritize improvement actions. A Pareto chart is based on the Pareto principle, also known as the 80-20 rule, which states that 80% of the effects come from 20% of the causes. By using a Pareto chart, a business analyst can focus on the vital few causes that account for most of the defects or problems, rather than the trivial many that have little impact. References:

• BABOK Guide v3, section 10.36 Pareto Chart
• IIBA Business Analysis Competency Model, version 4.0, section 5.2.3.1.2 Pareto Chart

The critical path method (CPM) is a graphical presentation of a project plan that shows the sequence and duration of the project activities, and the dependencies and constraints among them. The CPM identifies the critical path, which is the longest path of activities that determines the minimum time required to complete the project. The CPM also identifies the float or slack, which is the amount of time that an activity can be delayed without affecting the project completion date. The CPM is most appropriate for presenting to upper management because it provides a clear and concise overview of the project schedule, scope, and risk. It also helps to communicate the project milestones, deliverables, and progress, and to highlight the critical activities and issues that need attention or resolution12. A pie chart is a graphical presentation of a project plan that shows the proportion of each category or segment of data in relation to the whole. A pie chart is useful for presenting to upper management when the project plan involves a simple breakdown of the project budget, resources, or scope into discrete and mutually exclusive categories or segments. A pie chart helps to compare the relative size and distribution of the categories or segments, and to illustrate the percentage or fraction of the whole that each category or segment represents34. A Pareto chart is a graphical presentation of a project plan that shows the frequency or impact of different factors or causes of problems or issues in descending order of importance. A Pareto chart is based on the Pareto principle, also known as the 80-20 rule, which states that 80% of the effects come from 20% of the causes. A Pareto chart is useful for presenting to upper management when the project plan involves a complex analysis of the project quality, performance, or risk. A Pareto chart helps to identify and prioritize the most significant factors or causes of problems or issues, and to focus on the vital few rather than the trivial many5 . A scatter chart is a graphical presentation of a project plan that shows the relationship or correlation between two variables or sets of data. A scatter chart plots the values of the variables or sets of data as points on a coordinate plane, and shows the pattern or trend of the points. A scatter chart is useful for presenting to upper management when the project plan involves a sophisticated evaluation of the project variables, outcomes, or assumptions. A scatter chart helps to explore and test the hypotheses or causal relationships between the variables or sets of data, and to measure the strength and direction of the correlation . References:

• Critical Path Method - iiba.org
• How to Make a Project Plan Presentation for Clients and Stakeholders
• Pie Chart - iiba.org
• How to Use a Schedule Model in Project Management
• Pareto Chart - iiba.org
• [ProjectManagement.com - Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP®)]
• [Scatter Chart - iiba.org]
• [CBAP Presentation | PPT - SlideShare]

 A formal review with the stakeholders is a way to validate the elicitation results and ensure that nothing is missed or misunderstood. The review can also help to build trust and confidence among the stakeholders and the BA. The other options are not directly related to addressing the sponsor’s concerns. References: CBAP / CCBA Certified Business Analysis Study Guide, 2nd Edition, Chapter 5: Elicitation and Collaboration, p. 173-174; [A Guide to the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK Guide), Version 3], Chapter 4: Elicitation and Collaboration, Section 4.4: Confirm Elicitation Results, p. 107-108.

A WBS, or Work Breakdown Structure, is a technique that is used to divide a project into controllable parts. It is a hierarchical decomposition of the project scope into smaller and more manageable components, called work packages. Each work package represents a deliverable or an outcome that contributes to the project objectives. A WBS helps to define and organize the project work, estimate the time and cost, assign the roles and responsibilities, and monitor and control the project progress. References:

• CBAP / CCBA Certified Business Analysis Study Guide, 2nd Edition, page 47
• Business Analysis Professional Resources | IIBA®, under Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK ®) Guide
• Work Breakdown Structure Wbs vs. Project Plan vs. Project Schedule, paragraph 1