BCS BCS Practitioner Certificate in Business Analysis Practice v5.2 BAPv5 Exam Dumps: Updated Questions & Answers (February 2026)

A Target Operating Model (TOM) is a high-level description of how an organisation wants to operate in order to achieve its vision and strategy. It defines what an organisation does, how it does it, who does it, where it does it and why it does it. A TOM can be used in gap analysis to compare the desired situation with the existing situation and identify what needs to change to achieve the desired situation. Therefore, option A is the correct answer, as using a TOM in gap analysis would help to assess how far the organisation’s current activities support the desired situation. By comparing the current activities with those defined in the TOM, a gap analysis would help to identify what activities are missing, redundant or inefficient in achieving the desired situation. Option B is not a correct answer, as using a TOM in gap analysis would not help to identify how the organisation should structure itself to support the desired situation. The structure of an organisation is one aspect of a TOM, but not its main purpose. A TOM defines what an organisation does more than how it organises itself. Option C is not a correct answer, as using a TOM in gap analysis would not help to determine which activities in the desired situation are not financially feasible. The financial feasibility of an activity is not determined by comparing it with a TOM, but by conducting a cost-benefit analysis or a business case. Option D is not a correct answer, as using a TOM in gap analysis would not help to establish which stakeholder views will not be reflected in the desired situation. The stakeholder views are not determined by comparing them with a TOM, but by conducting a stakeholder analysis or a CATWOE analysis.

The Business Change Lifecycle in the documentation comprises five stages (shown in the lifecycle figure and described as the “key areas of activity” needed for successful business change). Business case work is not confined to a single moment; instead, it is revisited through the change effort at multiple decision points. The guidance illustrates this with “decision gates” where the business case is: produced initially, then confirmed after detailed requirements, confirmed once development costs are estimated, revisited before deployment, and later used to check benefits realisation once the new processes/systems are operating.

That pattern means business-case-related activity normally touches every stage of the lifecycle. Early on (Alignment and Definition), the business case is shaped and refined as understanding of problems, scope, and requirements improves. During Design and Implementation, the business case is validated and updated as costs, feasibility, and delivery plans become clearer and as the organisation prepares for change. In Realisation, the business case is used as the baseline for benefits review and to identify follow-up actions where benefits are not yet achieved. Therefore, “5” is the best answer.

Transformation is the element of CATWOE that describes what changes or processes take place in a business situation or problem or its solution. It helps to identify what inputs are converted into outputs in a business situation or problem or its solution. Therefore, option A is the correct answer, as it is the transformation for this worldview. Develop and sell software for mobile phones is the transformation for this worldview, as it describes what changes or processes take place in the business situation or problem or its solution. It identifies what inputs (software development resources) are converted into outputs (software products) in the business situation or problem or its solution. Option B is not a correct answer, as it is not the transformation for this worldview, but an aspect of the output quality. Ensure that software is easy to use is not the transformation for this worldview, but an aspect of the output quality. It describes how the output (software products) should meet the customer needs and expectations, not what changes or processes take place in the business situation or problem or its solution. Option C is not a correct answer, as it is not the transformation for this worldview, but an aspect of the environment. Keep pace with the growing demands of the market is not the transformation for this worldview, but an aspect of the environment. It describes an external factor or constraint that affects the stakeholder’s perspective or limits their options, not what changes or processes take place in the business situation or problem or its solution. Option D is not a correct answer, as it is not the transformation for this worldview, but an aspect of the desired outcome. Increase the amount of software we produce is not the transformation for this worldview, but an aspect of the desired outcome. It describes what the stakeholder wants to achieve from the business situation or problem or its solution, not what changes or processes take place in the business situation or problem or its solution.

The documentation distinguishes clearly between mission/purpose, objectives, strategy, and tactics. A mission statement declares what business the organisation is in and what it is intending to achieve—it is the overarching purpose that provides direction and is meaningful to stakeholders such as employees and customers. In contrast, objectives are specific goals that can be measured, while strategy and tactics describe approaches and detailed means of execution.

Option C is the best “purpose/mission style” statement because it communicates a broad intent and aspiration in plain language that can be understood by both internal and external audiences. It expresses what the organisation aims to be known for and the overall value proposition it wants to deliver, which aligns with the role of a mission in providing clarity and direction.

Option A is a measurable target (an objective) tied to SLA performance, not a purpose statement. Option B describes an internal method/approach (closer to tactics or operational improvement activity) rather than the organisation’s reason for existence. Option D is a specific policy or initiative (sustainability sourcing), which can support purpose, but it is too narrow to represent the overall company mission.

The key issue described—staff creating manual workarounds to satisfy important customers—often reflects tacit knowledge and “what really happens” in day-to-day work, not what is written in policies or what people might summarise in a survey. The guidance is clear that while interviews and workshops can reveal stakeholder views, the “back-story” of real working practices can differ; techniques such as work shadowing and observation help clarify what actually happens.

Shadowing is specifically defined as following a user as they carry out their job for a period (e.g., a day or two) in order to find out what the job entails. This is exactly the kind of technique that exposes hidden steps, exceptions, customer-specific handling, and unofficial procedures—precisely the conditions that drive workarounds when a COTS package does not fit real operational needs.

The observation section also highlights that seeing the workplace provides a much better understanding of problems and difficulties faced by business users and helps uncover tacit information that would otherwise remain unstated. Additionally, the guidance even uses customer services as an example area where an analyst might shadow staff to record real call types, durations, and retrieval delays—evidence that supports discovering process pain and mismatch early.

Therefore, shadowing customer service personnel (D) would have been most likely to uncover the workaround drivers earlier.

 The role of a business analyst (BA) is to analyse business situations and problems, identify and evaluate potential solutions, and facilitate change within an organisation or project. A BA works with stakeholders at different levels and with different interests and perspectives to understand their needs and expectations and ensure they are met by suitable solutions. Therefore, option C is not likely to be used by George’s manager in describing his role as a BA in resolving this problem. To negotiate with stakeholders to reach resolution implies that George has to persuade or compromise with stakeholders to agree on one solution or approach. This is not part of the BA’s role, as the BA does not have the authority or responsibility to make decisions or impose solutions on stakeholders. The BA’s role is to analyse and evaluate different solutions or approaches objectively and present the findings and recommendations to stakeholders for their consideration and approval. Option A is likely to be used by George’s manager in describing his role as a BA in resolving this problem. To understand and challenge the stakeholders means that George has to elicit and validate the stakeholders’ views and needs and question their assumptions and rationale. This is part of the BA’s role, as the BA has to ensure that the stakeholders’ views and needs are clear, consistent, realistic and aligned with the organisation’s strategy and objectives. Option B is likely to be used by George’s manager in describing his role as a BA in resolving this problem. To facilitate the discussion to allow the stakeholders to find a way forward means that George has to organise and conduct meetings or workshops with stakeholders to explore and evaluate different solutions or approaches and help them reach a consensus or agreement. This is part of the BA’s role, as the BA has to enable effective communication and collaboration among stakeholders and help them resolve conflicts or issues. Option D is likely to be used by George’s manager in describing his role as a BA in resolving this problem. To record the meeting and the resulting decision means that George has to document and communicate the outcomes and actions of the meeting or workshop with stakeholders and ensure they are understood and accepted by all parties. This is part of the BA’s role, as the BA has to ensure that there is a clear and accurate record of what has been discussed and decided by stakeholders and that there is a shared understanding and commitment among them.

A business case is a document that provides the rationale and justification for a proposed business change or solution. It helps to evaluate the benefits, costs, risks and impacts of different options and recommend the best one for further development and implementation. A business case typically consists of several sections, such as executive summary, description of the current situation, description of the desired situation, options considered, analysis of costs and benefits, risk assessment and recommendations. Therefore, options A, B and C are correct answers, as they cover the sections of a business case that will address the points noted by the business analyst and the project manager. Options considered is the section where different approaches or solutions to meet the objectives of the project are identified and described. It helps to show that a range of alternatives have been explored and evaluated. Analysis of costs and benefits is the section where the financial implications of each option are estimated and compared. It helps to show the expected value and return on investment of each option. Description of the current situation is the section where the problem or opportunity that motivates the project is clearly defined and articulated. It helps to show the justification and urgency for the project. Option D is not a correct answer, as recommendations is not a section of a business case that will address any of the points noted by the business analyst and the project manager. Recommendations is the section where the preferred option is selected and proposed based on the analysis and evaluation of other sections. Option E is not a correct answer, as risk assessment is not a section of a business case that will address any of the points noted by the business analyst and the project manager. Risk assessment is the section where the uncertainties and potential negative consequences of each option are identified and analysed. It helps to show how risks can be avoided, reduced or managed.

A logical dependency arrow on a BAM shows that one activity depends on another activity for its completion or initiation. In this question, the doing activity of ‘sell bespoke kitchens’ depends on the planning activity of ‘determine range of products’, as the customers need to select products from a predefined range when they design their kitchens. Therefore, option C is the correct answer.

An enabling activity is an activity that supports or facilitates another activity within a business activity model. It helps to ensure that another activity can be performed or delivered effectively and efficiently. Therefore, option B is the correct answer, as it is an enabling activity linked to this planning activity. Define sales targets is an enabling activity linked to this planning activity, as it supports or facilitates defining marketing strategy. It helps to ensure that marketing strategy can be aligned with sales objectives and outcomes. Option A is not a correct answer, as it is not an enabling activity linked to this planning activity, but a monitoring and control activity. Monitor sales is a monitoring and control activity that measures or evaluates another activity within a business activity model. It helps to ensure that another activity meets quality and performance standards and criteria. Option C is not a correct answer, as it is not an enabling activity linked to this planning activity, but a doing activity. Advertise clothes is a doing activity that produces or delivers value or satisfaction for customers within a business activity model. It helps to achieve customer demand and satisfaction for products or services. Option D is not a correct answer, as it is not an enabling activity linked to this planning activity, but a doing activity. Sell clothes is a doing activity that produces or delivers value or satisfaction for customers within a business activity model. It helps to achieve customer demand and satisfaction for products or services.

The end users are classified as high interest, low power on a power/interest grid. This is because they are directly affected by the new reporting tool and have a strong preference for not using it, but they do not have much authority or influence to change the project decision or outcome. Option A is the correct answer.