Question 1

Managers at Tokyo Manufacturing get together monthly to review ways to improve quality in their respective divisions. What philosophy might this company embrace?
A)Just in Time
B)PMIS
C)Marginal Analysis
D)Total Quality Management
E)Kansei

Accepted Answer

Companies that utilize a Total Quality Management approach are constantly looking for ways to better the quality of their services and products. Just in time refers to a money saving method by companies to deliver goods as they are needed by clients. Kaizen (or continuous improvement) refers to companies making small changes to their processes to better workflow and increase efficiency. Marginal analysis looks at the point at which maximum quality is obtained (when improvement equals improvement cost).
Key Take Away: It's interesting to note that in Japan, the improvement process consists of 4 steps that comprise a Total Quality Management perspective: Kaizen (continuous improvement), Atarimae Hinshitu (performance), Kansei (careful examination), and Miryokuteki Hinshitsu (aesthetics).

Question 2

A company makes 1,000,000 parts. If fewer than ___ were defective, it would be six sigma quality.
A)317,400
B)45,400
C)2,700
D)2
E)0

Accepted Answer

Each sigma represents a standard deviation. Sigma is taken to both the left and right of a normal distribution curve. Six sigma implies that 99.99985% fall within standards, or less than 2 defects per million.
For the basis of comparison:
1 sigma is 68.26%. This would be 317,400 defects per million.
2 sigma is 95.46%. This would be 45,400 defects per million.
3 sigma is 99.73%. This would be 2,700 defects per million.
6 sigma is 99.99985%, or less than 2 defects per million.
We'll test you on each of these.
Key takeaway: Six sigma is a common buzzword in the industry, but a good leader would do a marginal analysis of whether achieving this level of quality makes sense. Marginal analysis assesses where the optimal level of quality is for a firm. In some cases, higher quality means so much more precision and testing that it isn't worth the additional expense. A marginal analysis finds the point at which a company no longer receives incremental revenue for its incremental investment. This is a valuable concept to know in quality and cost management. Those who majored in economics will feel more comfortable with this concept initially!

Question 3

Another company makes 1,000,000 parts. They're shooting for 3 sigma quality. How many defective parts would there be?
A)317,400
B)45,400
C)2,700
D)2
E)0

Accepted Answer

Three sigma implies that 99.73% fall within standards, or less than 2,700 defects per million.
For the basis of comparison:
1 sigma is 68.26%. This would be 317,400 defects per million.
2 sigma is 95.46%. This would be 45,400 defects per million.
3 sigma is 99.73%. This would be 2,700 defects per million.
6 sigma is 99.99985%, or less than 2 defects per million.
Key takeaway: Three sigma is a realistic representation of good quality in most manufacturing processes. Most organizations will find a range between two and three sigma as a cost-effective point.

Question 4

Another company makes 1,000,000 parts. They're a low cost provider, and thus they're shooting for 2 sigma quality. Fewer than ___ out of a million defective parts would be the threshold they are trying to beat.
A)47,000
B)45,400
C)4,540
D)4,700
E)450

Accepted Answer

Two sigma implies that 95.46% fall within standards, or less than 45,400 defects per million.
For the basis of comparison:
1 sigma is 68.26%. This would be 317,400 defects per million.
2 sigma is 95.46%. This would be 45,400 defects per million.
3 sigma is 99.73%. This would be 2,700 defects per million.
6 sigma is 99.99985%, or less than 2 defects per million.
Key takeaway: Two sigma is towards the low range of acceptable quality in most manufacturing organizations.

Question 5

_________ Sigma techniques are useful in conducting a feasibility study as they focus on quality measurement and improvement.
A)Six
B)Nine
C)Three
D)Twelve

Accepted Answer

Six Sigma techniques are useful in conducting a feasibility study as they focus on quality measurement and improvement.
Key Takeaway: Six Sigma techniques are widely used in feasibility studies as they focus on business process improvement. For example, if an ice-cream company is interested in improving the quality of its offerings, Six Sigma techniques can help with a number of process measurements such as the compilation of ingredients and the availability of flavors. Six Sigma techniques depend on the skills of a Business Analyst to administer and interpret the quality measurements.

Question 6

A team of Business Analysts have just completed a 3-day brainstorming session on how to increase the enrollment of professional students in a private college. To show their results graphically, they use a _____________ diagramming technique.
A)push-and-pull
B)enrollment-and-registration
C)cause-and-effect
D)quantitative-and-qualitative

Accepted Answer

A team of Business Analysts have just completed a 3-day brainstorming session on how to increase the enrollment of professional students in a private college. To show their results graphically, they use a Cause-and-Effect diagramming technique.
Key Takeaway: Cause-and-Effect diagramming techniques are the output of a brainstorming session. After facilitating a session with the college administrators, Business Analysts will draw each suspected reason for low enrollment and its effect on the number of students who are enrolled. The purpose of a Cause-and-Effect diagram is to visually display all the information exchanged during the brainstorming session and provide a methodical manner in which to address each cause of the business problem.

Question 7

KIPP is a group of nation-wide charter schools that rely in part on private funding to operate. KIPP executives and managers share information on best practices in education and management. This is an example of __________.
A)benchmarking
B)navel gazing
C)brainstorming
D)interviewing

Accepted Answer

KIPP is a group of nation-wide charter schools that rely in part on private funding to operate. KIPP executives and managers share information on best practices in education and management. This is an example of benchmarking.
Key Takeaway: Benchmarking is a practice in business analysis that allows for the determination and sharing of best-in-class practices within a company. The role of a Business Analyst is to research and present these practices to company managers and executives.
For example, one could advise KIPP schools to adopt a singular way to gauge academic achievement amongst all the school to make comparison easier at the end of the year.

Question 8

Technology feasibility assessment is designed to make sure that ______ is (are) capable of supporting the business solution proposed.
A)the company's Microsoft systems
B)the company's technology limits
C)the company's growth potential
D)the company's operational limits

Accepted Answer

Technology feasibility assessment is designed to make sure that the company's technology limits are capable of supporting the business solution proposed.
Key Takeaway: Technology feasibility assessment is conducted by Business Analysts to make sure that a proposed solution to a business problem can be supported by the company's technology limits.
For example, if a proposed solution recommends a singular data repository, the current IT infrastructure of the company should be able to support the installation of this repository. Many projects fail because they have components that are too large or too complex for a company's IT capabilities.

Question 9

AGE is a gas and electric company that has been fined by the federal government for dumping pollutants into local water sources. The company hires a Business Consultant to conduct a(an) ________ before their new venture to avoid this occurring again.
A)operational feasibility analysis
B)financial feasibility analysis
C)environmental impact analysis
D)environmental protection act

Accepted Answer

AGE is a gas and electric company that has been fined by the federal government for dumping pollutants into local water sources. The company hires a Business Consultant to conduct an Environmental Impact Analysis (EIA) before their new venture to avoid this occurring again.
Key Takeaway: Environmental Impact Analysis (EIA) is a type of analysis conducted when a project or a business solution has the potential to impact the environment. As industries are expected to abide within governmental regulations, AGE will be expected to show through their analysis that the company is aware of environmental impact of their new venture.

Question 10

SDLC refers to the _______________ which is the overall process of designing and developing information systems.
A)system development long cycle
B)system design lateral cycle
C)system development life cycle.
D)system design lateral cycle.

Accepted Answer

SDLC refers to the System Development Life Cycle which is the overall process of designing and developing information systems.
Key Takeaway: A company's information system is an integral part of its operational and financial success. The System Development Life Cycle (SDLC) is a multiphase approach that begins with an initial assessment of a company's information system. After this initial assessment, the company's information system is constructed and eventually maintained to support operations.

Question 11

All project phases and events that are necessary to reach a successful business solution is referred to as __________.
A)project life cycle (PLC)
B)work breakdown structure (WBS)
C)system development life cycle (SDLC)
D)life growth cycle (LGC)

Accepted Answer

All project phases and events that are necessary to reach a successful business solution is referred to as Project Life Cycle (PLC).
Key Takeaway: A Project Life Cycle encompasses all the phases and events in a project that are necessary for a successful business resolution. A Business Analyst, along with a Project Manager, set major milestones in their initial work plans that include project phases that begin with initiation. The PLC contains information on what the project needs in terms of time, resources, cost, and quality control.

Question 12

What is mutual exclusivity?
A)If one event occurs, the other cannot.
B)A rule of dating
C)A measure of variation
D)A conclusion from a control chart
E)A conclusion from a scatter diagram

Accepted Answer

Mutual exclusivity means that if one event occurs, the other cannot. It is an important statistical term to know in quality management.
Key Takeaway: Many key probability calculations will require you to recognize that events are mutually exclusive. If you already know this, we apologize. We found that a lot of people have forgotten the term since their high school stats class.

Question 13

An important task for a Business Analyst is to determine how frequently ____________ are prepared for project stakeholders so that they are aware of how the project is developing.
A)financial projections
B)business plans
C)status reports
D)feasibility studies

Accepted Answer

An important task for a Business Analyst is to determine how frequently status reports are prepared for project stakeholders so that they are aware of how the project is developing.
Key Takeaway: The frequency with which stakeholders are provided with project status reports is set early in the Project Life Cycle. Some stakeholders may prefer to receive regular daily, weekly, or monthly reports while others may be interested in reports that mark the end of a phase in the cycle.
Regardless of the frequency, status reports are important in keeping key stakeholders informed of the project's progress and incorporating their feedback as issues or problems come up.

Question 14

A _________ provides expertise in a particular functional business area.
A)management consultant
B)solution architect
C)subject matter expert
D)data analyst

Accepted Answer

A Subject Matter Expert or SME provides expertise in a particular functional business area.
Key Takeaway: A Subject Matter Expert (SME) provides much needed expertise in a functional business area such as finance or marketing. An SME is often a valued member of a requirements planning and management team and provides insight that is based on many years of practical experience plus education. For example, organizations such as large banks often hire former government finance officials such as secretaries of treasury to gain their expertise in government financial regulations.

Question 15

An oil and gas company introduces ___________ requirements into its new drilling operations after audit by regulatory bodies to ensure that no injuries will be sustained by employees.
A)growth
B)safety
C)security
D)privacy

Accepted Answer

A company introduces safety requirements into its new drilling operations after audit by regulatory bodies to ensure that no injuries will be sustained by staff.
Key Takeaway: Safety requirements are usually defined and outlined during requirements analysis and documentation. These requirements are especially important in industries where the threat of bodily harm to employees can be significant such as construction, manufacturing and mining. Safety requirements details what can and should be done in the cases of safety emergencies.

Quiz 5: Requirements Planning Monitoring

Managers at Tokyo Manufacturing get together monthly to review ways to improve quality in their respective divisions. What philosophy might this company embrace?

A company makes 1,000,000 parts. If fewer than ___ were defective, it would be six sigma quality.

Another company makes 1,000,000 parts. They're shooting for 3 sigma quality. How many defective parts would there be?

Another company makes 1,000,000 parts. They're a low cost provider, and thus they're shooting for 2 sigma quality. Fewer than ___ out of a million defective parts would be the threshold they are trying to beat.

_________ Sigma techniques are useful in conducting a feasibility study as they focus on quality measurement and improvement.

A team of Business Analysts have just completed a 3-day brainstorming session on how to increase the enrollment of professional students in a private college. To show their results graphically, they use a _____________ diagramming technique.

KIPP is a group of nation-wide charter schools that rely in part on private funding to operate. KIPP executives and managers share information on best practices in education and management. This is an example of __________.

Technology feasibility assessment is designed to make sure that ______ is (are) capable of supporting the business solution proposed.

AGE is a gas and electric company that has been fined by the federal government for dumping pollutants into local water sources. The company hires a Business Consultant to conduct a(an) ________ before their new venture to avoid this occurring again.

SDLC refers to the _______________ which is the overall process of designing and developing information systems.

All project phases and events that are necessary to reach a successful business solution is referred to as __________.

What is mutual exclusivity?

An important task for a Business Analyst is to determine how frequently ____________ are prepared for project stakeholders so that they are aware of how the project is developing.

A _________ provides expertise in a particular functional business area.

An oil and gas company introduces ___________ requirements into its new drilling operations after audit by regulatory bodies to ensure that no injuries will be sustained by employees.