CAPM Business Analysis Frameworks Practice Question
A business analyst is facilitating a requirements workshop with 12 stakeholders from operations, finance, and IT. Two participants dominate the conversation, while several others remain silent. The BA needs to ensure all voices are heard and gather balanced input on a contentious process change. Which technique should the BA use to structure the discussion and equalize participation?
⚠ Common exam trap
A common mix-up: candidates confuse general brainstorming or focus groups with structured techniques that actively equalize participation and reduce dominant voices.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Nominal group technique
Nominal group technique is designed to give every participant an equal opportunity to contribute by combining silent idea generation, round-robin sharing, and voting. This prevents dominant voices from overshadowing others and helps the BA collect balanced input on a contentious change. It is a structured group decision-making method that fits the workshop context.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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Focus groups
Why it's wrong here
Focus groups are useful for gathering qualitative feedback through guided discussion, but they are typically led by a moderator and can still be dominated by assertive participants. They do not provide the same structured equalization mechanism as nominal group technique. For ensuring all 12 stakeholders contribute equally on a contentious topic, focus groups are less effective.
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Nominal group technique
Why this is correct
Nominal group technique structures group input by having participants silently generate ideas, then share them one at a time, and finally vote or rank them. This prevents dominant personalities from controlling the discussion and ensures quieter members contribute. In this scenario, it directly addresses the imbalance in participation and helps the BA gather balanced input on the contentious process change.
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Brainstorming
Why it's wrong here
Brainstorming encourages free-flowing idea generation, but it does not inherently control dominant speakers. In a group with two vocal participants, brainstorming often amplifies their influence and may suppress quieter stakeholders. Because the BA's goal is to equalize participation and obtain balanced input, brainstorming alone would likely fail to achieve the desired inclusiveness.
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Interviews
Why it's wrong here
Interviews are one-on-one sessions that guarantee individual input, but they are time-consuming and do not facilitate group consensus or interaction. The scenario involves a workshop with 12 stakeholders, so conducting separate interviews would not address the immediate need to balance participation within the group setting. Interviews also lack the collaborative prioritization that nominal group technique provides.
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Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official PMI exam blueprint
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