PC-BA-ARE BCS Professional Certificate in Advanced Requirements Engineering Practice Questions
Prepare for PC-BA-ARE with more than an answer.
- Time limit
- 90 minutes
- Questions on the exam
- 40
- Passing score
- 65% (26/40)
- Level
- Professional
- Valid for
- Lifetime (no expiration)
Domains covered on the exam 8
- The Enterprise Context12.5%
- The Business Analysis Service Portfolio7.5%
- The Requirements Engineering Plan15%
- Engaging with Stakeholders15%
- The Requirements Taxonomy15%
- Non-Functional Requirements: Customer Experience Requirements15%
- Non-Functional Requirements: Service Quality Requirements15%
- Acceptance and Approval of Requirements5%
- 1
During the planning phase of a regulatory compliance project, the Lead Business Analyst is constructing a RACI matrix for the requirements sign-off activity. The project affects the Finance and Risk departments. The Chief Risk Officer (CRO) has ultimate sign-off authority for all compliance requirements, while two Senior Risk Analysts are tasked with reviewing the documents and providing detailed feedback.
How should the CRO and the Senior Risk Analysts be classified on the RACI matrix for the 'Requirements Sign-off' activity?
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Correct answer: A
In RACI, 'Accountable' means having ultimate ownership and decision-making authority (the 'yes/no' power), which fits the CRO perfectly. 'Consulted' applies to those whose opinions are sought and who engage in two-way communication before a decision is made, which fits the Senior Analysts reviewing and providing feedback. The BA or project team would typically be 'Responsible' for facilitating the sign-off.
- 2
A manufacturing company is experiencing high defect rates on its assembly line. The business sponsor states the problem is 'We need to implement a new AI-based visual inspection system immediately to catch defects.'
As a Senior Business Analyst evaluating this problem statement, what is the primary flaw in the sponsor's definition?
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Correct answer: A
A well-formed problem statement should focus on the current negative situation, its impact, and the desired outcome, without pre-supposing a solution. The sponsor's statement ('We need to implement a new AI-based system') is stating a solution rather than defining the problem (which is the unacceptable level of defects causing financial or reputational loss).
- 3
A business analyst is using the Outcome Frame technique to ensure a project's objectives are well understood. The project aims to automate the client onboarding process. The team notes: 'We will know we have succeeded when average onboarding time drops from 14 days to 3 days, and client drop-off during onboarding reduces by 40%.'
Which element of the Outcome Frame does this statement represent?
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Correct answer: C
In the Outcome Frame, 'Evidence of Success' defines the specific, measurable criteria that will prove the desired outcome has been achieved (e.g., specific metrics like dropping from 14 to 3 days). The 'Desired Outcome' would be the broader goal (e.g., 'A faster, frictionless onboarding experience').
- 4
A large healthcare network is undertaking a digital transformation initiative. The Chief Enterprise Architect is classifying current architectural artifacts using the Zachman Framework. She is currently reviewing a detailed data dictionary and physical database schema that describes exactly how patient records are stored in the SQL server. Which cell of the Zachman Framework does this artifact belong to?
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Correct answer: B
The Zachman Framework uses rows for perspectives (Contextual, Conceptual, Logical, Physical, Detailed, Functioning) and columns for abstractions (What, How, Where, Who, When, Why). A detailed data dictionary and physical database schema relates to the 'Physical' perspective (Row 4 - Technology Model) and the 'What' abstraction (Column 1 - Data). Row 2 (Conceptual) would be a high-level semantic data model, not a physical schema.
- 5
A global logistics company is restructuring to offer a new 'same-day delivery' service. To achieve this, they must invest heavily in automated sorting machinery and hire a fleet of independent gig-economy drivers. When updating the company's Business Model Canvas (BMC), in which TWO building blocks should the 'automated sorting machinery' and 'independent gig-economy drivers' be primarily recorded, respectively? (Select TWO)
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Correct answer: A, D
The automated sorting machinery is a critical physical asset required to make the business model work, which belongs in the 'Key Resources' block. The independent drivers are external entities providing a critical service to the business, which fits into the 'Key Partnerships' block.
The independent drivers are external entities providing a critical service to the business, which fits into the 'Key Partnerships' block. They are not direct employees, making them partners in the value delivery.
- 6
A financial services organization is mapping out how they deliver value for a new mortgage product. The Business Architect notes that 'Customer Onboarding', 'Credit Assessment', 'Underwriting', and 'Fund Disbursement' are sequential stages that transform a prospect into a funded borrower. What type of architectural artifact is the Business Architect developing?
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Correct answer: A
A Value Stream Diagram maps the sequential, end-to-end stages that an organization goes through to deliver value to a customer. Capability maps, in contrast, show what an organization does (its abilities) in a hierarchical, non-sequential structure.
flowchart LR A[Customer Onboarding] --> B[Credit Assessment] B --> C[Underwriting] C --> D[Fund Disbursement] D --> E((Value Delivered))
