Quick Answer
The answer is validation. This is correct because requirements validation via prototyping focuses on confirming that the proposed solution meets actual user needs and expectations, ensuring the right product is built. In contrast, verification would check whether the prototype was built according to specifications. On the Certified Associate in Project Management CAPM exam, this distinction tests your understanding of the difference between validation and verification, often appearing in scenario-based questions where a prototype is used to gather stakeholder feedback. A common trap is confusing the two: if the question involves demonstration and feedback to confirm requirements, it is validation; if it involves checking against documented specs, it is verification. Remember the memory tip: “Validation = Value (does it satisfy the user?), Verification = Variance (does it match the spec?).”
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 business analyst has developed a working prototype for a new user interface. The prototype is used to demonstrate the workflow to stakeholders and gather feedback. Which type of requirements validation does this represent?
Validation
Prototyping is a validation technique to confirm requirements are correct.
Quality assurance
Why wrong: Quality assurance focuses on process compliance, not direct validation.
Peer review
Why wrong: Peer review is a verification technique, not validation.
Verification
Why wrong: Verification ensures the product meets specifications, not whether it satisfies user needs.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Validation
Validation ensures the right product is built, often through demonstration and feedback. Verification checks if the product is built correctly. Prototyping is a validation technique to confirm requirements meet user needs.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Validation
Why this is correct
Prototyping is a validation technique to confirm requirements are correct.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Quality assurance
Why it's wrong here
Quality assurance focuses on process compliance, not direct validation.
Peer review
Why it's wrong here
Peer review is a verification technique, not validation.
Verification
Why it's wrong here
Verification ensures the product meets specifications, not whether it satisfies user needs.
Common exam traps
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
Identify which CAPM exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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FAQ
Business Analysis Frameworks — This question tests Business Analysis Frameworks — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Validation — Validation ensures the right product is built, often through demonstration and feedback. Verification checks if the product is built correctly. Prototyping is a validation technique to confirm requirements meet user needs.
Identify which CAPM exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A business analyst is validating requirements with a customer representative. Which activity is being performed?
mediumWhy C: Option A is correct because validation ensures requirements are complete and unambiguous from the customer's perspective. Option B is wrong that is verification against business objectives. Option C is wrong feasibility checks are technical. Option D is wrong testability is verification.
Last reviewed: Jun 24, 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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