CAPM Business Analysis Frameworks Practice Question
You are a business analyst on a project to replace the legacy inventory system with a cloud-based solution. The project is using a predictive lifecycle, and the requirements specification has been baselined. During the design phase, the vendor informs you that a key feature (real-time reporting) cannot be implemented within the current budget because it requires additional licensing. The feature is critical to the business case's expected cost savings. The project manager wants to descope the feature to stay within budget. As the business analyst, what is the most appropriate action?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap is assuming the business analyst should simply escalate or agree to descope without performing analysis; the exam tests whether you recognize the need for a cost-benefit analysis before a scope change decision.
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
✓
Perform a cost-benefit analysis of including the feature versus descoping it, and present options to the sponsor.
As a business analyst in a predictive lifecycle with baselined requirements, any change to scope must go through formal change control. The most appropriate action is to perform a cost-benefit analysis that evaluates the impact of including the feature versus descoping it, and present the options to the sponsor for a decision. This ensures that the business case's expected cost savings are considered and that the sponsor, who owns the budget, makes an informed choice.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Escalate the issue to the program manager and ask for a decision.
Why it's wrong here
Escalating to the program manager delegates a decision the business analyst should support through impact analysis and a formal change request. It is tempting because the conflict between budget and business-case value exceeds the project manager's authority, which is when escalation genuinely applies; here, the change control process must be followed first.
- ✗
Agree to descope the feature and update the requirements document accordingly.
Why it's wrong here
Descoping a feature critical to the business case's cost savings removes the justification for the project without assessing alternatives or impact. It is tempting because it keeps the project within its approved budget, which is the project manager's immediate concern; however, baselined requirements change only through formal integrated change control.
- ✗
Request additional budget from the sponsor to cover the extra licensing cost.
Why it's wrong here
Requesting extra budget bypasses the baselined requirements and integrated change control process, treating a scope-versus-cost trade-off as purely financial. It is tempting because the feature underpins the business case, and funding it directly preserves expected savings; however, the business analyst should first assess impact and route a change request.
- ✓
Perform a cost-benefit analysis of including the feature versus descoping it, and present options to the sponsor.
Why this is correct
With baselined requirements and a critical feature at risk, the business analyst must evaluate the trade-off rather than silently descope. A cost-benefit analysis comparing inclusion against descoping, presented to the sponsor, preserves the business case's cost savings and lets the authority decide.
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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.