CAPM Business Analysis Frameworks Practice Question
A business analyst is working on a project to implement a new inventory management system. The project charter has been approved, and the project manager has asked the analyst to begin requirements elicitation. The analyst notices that the business case did not include a clear problem statement or measurable objectives. Several stakeholders are uncertain about the project's purpose and expected outcomes. The project sponsor is eager to move forward. As the business analyst, what should you do first?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is that candidates often jump to stakeholder analysis (Option C) as a first step, but the CAPM exam tests the sequence of business analysis planning: the business case must be validated before any requirements activities begin.
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
✓
Work with the sponsor and key stakeholders to refine the business case with a clear problem statement and measurable objectives.
The business case provides the foundational justification for the project, including the problem statement and measurable objectives. Without these, requirements elicitation lacks clear direction, leading to scope creep and misaligned outcomes. The business analyst must first refine the business case with the sponsor and key stakeholders to ensure a shared understanding of the project's purpose and success criteria before proceeding with requirements activities.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Create a requirements management plan to document how requirements will be handled.
Why it's wrong here
Planning is important, but without clear objectives, the plan lacks context.
- ✗
Proceed with requirements elicitation and clarify objectives later during prioritization.
Why it's wrong here
Starting without clear objectives risks gathering irrelevant or conflicting requirements.
- ✗
Conduct a stakeholder analysis to identify who needs to be involved in defining objectives.
Why it's wrong here
Stakeholder analysis is important, but the immediate need is to define the problem and objectives.
- ✓
Work with the sponsor and key stakeholders to refine the business case with a clear problem statement and measurable objectives.
Why this is correct
A solid business case provides direction and success criteria for all subsequent activities.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
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This CAPM practice question is part of Courseiva's free PMI certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the CAPM exam.