CAPM Business Analysis Frameworks Practice Question
During a requirements elicitation meeting, stakeholders provide conflicting information about the desired functionality. What is the best course of action for the business analyst?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many candidates confuse the business analyst's role with that of a project manager or decision-maker, assuming escalation or authoritative resolution is appropriate, when in fact the BA must facilitate consensus among stakeholders.
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
✓
Facilitate a discussion to resolve the conflict and reach consensus
The business analyst's primary role is to facilitate stakeholder collaboration and resolve conflicts through structured discussion, ensuring that requirements are accurate and agreed upon before development begins. This aligns with the BABOK guide's emphasis on using techniques like workshops or brainstorming to achieve consensus, which prevents costly rework later.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Document the conflicting information as is and proceed with development
Why it's wrong here
Ignoring conflicts may result in unsatisfactory requirements.
- ✗
Escalate the issue to senior management for a decision
Why it's wrong here
Escalation should be a last resort; resolving at the team level is preferred.
- ✓
Facilitate a discussion to resolve the conflict and reach consensus
Why this is correct
Facilitation helps clarify and resolve conflicting requirements.
- ✗
Ask the project manager to decide which stakeholder is correct
Why it's wrong here
The project manager may not have the detailed business knowledge.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.