IIBA CBDA Exam - Topic 1 Question 35 Discussion

Actual exam question for IIBA's CBDA exam

Question #: 35
Topic #: 1

A manufacturing company, specializing in turf maintenance equipment, has recently seen a decline in their lawn mower sales. As a result, the analytics team is asked to review the latest customer satisfaction survey results. An analyst on this team creates a report for senior management with attractive visuals, supported by the KPI results. Upon reviewing the report, the analyst's manager

mentions that the report is missing the narrative. What does this mean?

AThe data tables that support the visuals and help answer questions

BA narrative that supports insights with additional context and draws correlations

CNotes on assumptions and unavailable data for analysis

DCommentary around why each graphic was selected to provide additional context

Show Suggested Answer

Suggested Answer: B

A narrative is a written or spoken explanation of the data analysis results that tells a story with the data, provides additional context and background information, highlights the key insights and findings, and draws correlations and implications for the decision makers12. The report is missing the narrative, meaning that it does not communicate the meaning and value of the data analysis effectively, and it leaves the interpretation and action to the senior management without any guidance or recommendation34. Reference: 1: Guide to Business Data Analytics, IIBA, 2020, p. 672: Storytelling with Data, Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic, 2015, p. 93: Data Storytelling: The Essential Data Science Skill Everyone Needs, Brent Dykes, 2016, 14: The Power of Data Storytelling, Harvard Business Review, 2018, 2.

by Keneth at Apr 30, 2025, 11:25 PM

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Ty

4 months ago

Definitely! Without it, the data feels incomplete.

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Alysa

5 months ago

I thought the visuals were enough, but maybe not?

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Brigette

5 months ago

Totally agree, context is key for understanding!

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Louvenia

5 months ago

Wait, is a narrative really that important?

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Lindsay

5 months ago

The report needs a narrative to explain the visuals.

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Fausto

6 months ago

I think the narrative is about explaining the visuals, so maybe it’s option D? But I’m not completely confident in that.

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Alona

6 months ago

I feel like the narrative should include insights and correlations, which sounds like option B again, but I could see how D might fit too.

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Lawrence

6 months ago

I remember a practice question about reports needing context, but I’m not entirely sure if that’s what they mean by narrative here.

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Noel

6 months ago

I think the narrative refers to the context that helps explain the data, so I’m leaning towards option B.

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Herminia

7 months ago

Got it, the narrative is the written component that ties everything together. The visuals and KPIs are important, but the narrative is what really makes the report meaningful and actionable.

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Tamekia

7 months ago

Okay, I think I've got this. The narrative is the story that the data is telling - the insights, correlations, and additional context that helps senior management understand the significance of the findings.

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Hillary

7 months ago

Hmm, I'm a bit unsure about this one. Is the narrative just the written explanation of the data and visuals? Or is there more to it that I'm missing?

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Joesph

7 months ago

This seems like a straightforward question. The report is missing the narrative, which means it needs to include a written analysis that provides context and insights beyond just the visuals and KPIs.

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Fernanda

11 months ago

Hold on, the manager is looking for a narrative? I thought this was a lawn mower report, not a novel. They must really be 'grass-ing' for that extra context.

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Heike

11 months ago

The narrative is the icing on the cake. Without it, the report is like a lawnmower without a blade - it might look nice, but it ain't gonna cut it.

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Valentin

9 months ago

B) A narrative that supports insights with additional context and draws correlations

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Kassandra

9 months ago

A) The data tables that support the visuals and help answer questions

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Tammi

9 months ago

D) Commentary around why each graphic was selected to provide additional context

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Desmond

9 months ago

B) A narrative that supports insights with additional context and draws correlations

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Marcos

11 months ago

Yes, the narrative adds depth to the data and helps in making informed decisions.

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Samira

11 months ago

I believe the narrative should tie everything together for a complete analysis.

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Ernie

11 months ago

I agree, it helps to explain the insights behind the visuals.

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Huey

11 months ago

Clearly, the manager is not a fan of leaving them to read between the lines. They want the analyst to put on their storytelling hat and guide them through the findings.

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Lanie

10 months ago

Manager: Yes, that's correct. It will help provide additional context for the findings.

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Rana

10 months ago

Analyst: So, you want me to provide commentary around why each graphic was selected?

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Tamekia

10 months ago

Manager: We need a narrative to support the insights with additional context.

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Cristy

12 months ago

I think the narrative is important for providing context.

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Sabina

12 months ago

Ah, the narrative - the secret sauce that turns a good report into a great one. Without it, the visuals are just pretty pictures, not the compelling tale the execs need.

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Danilo

11 months ago

A) The data tables that support the visuals and help answer questions

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Jade

11 months ago

D) Commentary around why each graphic was selected to provide additional context

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Josphine

11 months ago

B) A narrative that supports insights with additional context and draws correlations

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Ona

1 year ago

The manager is looking for more than just the data and visuals. They want a story that explains the insights and connects the dots for senior management.

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