- A
Adopt a hybrid approach that retains the high-level scope from the waterfall document but uses iterative cycles with rolling wave planning for detailed requirements
Correct: A hybrid approach balances the need for structure and flexibility, allowing iterative validation and prioritization of changes.
- B
Switch to a pure agile framework using user stories and a product backlog, abandoning the existing detailed requirements
Why wrong: Incorrect: A full agile transition may be too drastic for an organization with limited agile experience and could cause confusion.
- C
Document every change request and ask the project sponsor for a budget increase to cover all rework
Why wrong: Incorrect: This only addresses the financial impact, not the underlying need to accommodate changing requirements effectively.
- D
Continue with the waterfall approach but establish a strict change control board to evaluate all requests
Why wrong: Incorrect: A change control board helps manage changes but does not provide iterative validation, which is needed for evolving requirements.
CAPM Business Analysis Frameworks Practice Question
This CAPM practice question tests your understanding of business analysis frameworks. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A mid-sized insurance company is implementing a new claims management system using a traditional waterfall approach. The business analyst (BA) spent three months gathering and documenting detailed requirements, which were signed off by stakeholders. However, during the development phase, the claims processing team requests frequent changes due to evolving regulatory requirements and customer feedback. The project manager is concerned about scope creep and budget overruns. The development team is frustrated because rework is affecting their velocity. The BA needs to recommend an approach that balances flexibility with control. The organization has limited experience with agile methods but is open to change. The BA should recommend:
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
Adopt a hybrid approach that retains the high-level scope from the waterfall document but uses iterative cycles with rolling wave planning for detailed requirements
Option A is correct because it balances the need for flexibility with control by retaining the high-level scope from the signed-off waterfall document while using iterative cycles and rolling wave planning to detail requirements as the project progresses. This hybrid approach accommodates evolving regulatory requirements and customer feedback without abandoning the existing investment in requirements, and it mitigates scope creep by keeping the overall scope fixed while allowing detailed adjustments in short cycles.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Adopt a hybrid approach that retains the high-level scope from the waterfall document but uses iterative cycles with rolling wave planning for detailed requirements
Why this is correct
Correct: A hybrid approach balances the need for structure and flexibility, allowing iterative validation and prioritization of changes.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Switch to a pure agile framework using user stories and a product backlog, abandoning the existing detailed requirements
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: A full agile transition may be too drastic for an organization with limited agile experience and could cause confusion.
- ✗
Document every change request and ask the project sponsor for a budget increase to cover all rework
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: This only addresses the financial impact, not the underlying need to accommodate changing requirements effectively.
- ✗
Continue with the waterfall approach but establish a strict change control board to evaluate all requests
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: A change control board helps manage changes but does not provide iterative validation, which is needed for evolving requirements.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often assume that any change from waterfall must mean a full switch to agile (Option B), but the CAPM exam tests the ability to recognize hybrid approaches as a practical compromise that leverages existing artifacts while introducing iterative flexibility.
Trap categories for this question
Similar concept trap
Incorrect: A full agile transition may be too drastic for an organization with limited agile experience and could cause confusion.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Rolling wave planning is a technique where work to be done in the near term is planned in detail, while work further out is planned at a higher level, allowing for progressive elaboration as more information becomes available. In a hybrid model, the high-level scope from the waterfall document acts as a fixed baseline for regulatory and budget control, while iterative cycles (e.g., 2-4 week sprints) enable the BA to refine requirements based on real-time feedback, reducing rework and improving velocity. This approach is common in regulated industries like insurance, where full agility is impractical due to compliance constraints, but iterative feedback loops are essential for adapting to changing rules.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the CAPM exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CAPM question test?
Business Analysis Frameworks — This question tests Business Analysis Frameworks — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Adopt a hybrid approach that retains the high-level scope from the waterfall document but uses iterative cycles with rolling wave planning for detailed requirements — Option A is correct because it balances the need for flexibility with control by retaining the high-level scope from the signed-off waterfall document while using iterative cycles and rolling wave planning to detail requirements as the project progresses. This hybrid approach accommodates evolving regulatory requirements and customer feedback without abandoning the existing investment in requirements, and it mitigates scope creep by keeping the overall scope fixed while allowing detailed adjustments in short cycles.
What should I do if I get this CAPM question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 25, 2026
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.
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