CAPM Business Analysis Frameworks Practice Question
In a requirements gathering workshop, two stakeholders have differing opinions on the system interface design. The business analyst decides to use a technique that involves listing pros and cons of each option. Which technique is being used?
⚠ Common exam trap
CAPM often tests the confusion between Decision Analysis and Brainstorming, as both are group techniques, but Decision Analysis is for evaluating options while Brainstorming is for generating ideas.
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
✓
Decision Analysis
Decision Analysis is a technique used to evaluate and compare multiple options by systematically listing the advantages (pros) and disadvantages (cons) of each. In this scenario, the business analyst is facilitating a structured comparison of two interface design alternatives, which is the core of Decision Analysis. This technique helps stakeholders make informed choices by weighing the trade-offs objectively.
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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Prototyping
Why it's wrong here
Prototyping builds a preliminary working model of a solution so stakeholders can react to something tangible; it produces no pros-and-cons comparison of competing options. It is tempting because prototyping resolves interface disagreements, but it does so through demonstration rather than written evaluation.
- ✓
Decision Analysis
Why this is correct
Decision Analysis compares alternatives by weighing their advantages and disadvantages against defined criteria, producing a reasoned recommendation. This satisfies the stem's requirement because listing pros and cons of each interface design option is the defining activity of that technique.
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Interface Analysis
Why it's wrong here
Interface Analysis examines the characteristics, inputs and outputs of interfaces between systems or components; it does not weigh competing design options by listing pros and cons. It is tempting because the scenario concerns interface design, but the described activity is option comparison, not interface specification.
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Brainstorming
Why it's wrong here
Brainstorming generates a broad set of creative ideas from participants without evaluating or ranking them; listing pros and cons is structured evaluation, not divergent idea generation. It is tempting because workshops often begin with brainstorming, but the technique described requires comparing two defined alternatives.
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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
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.