IIBA CCBA Exam - Topic 2 Question 114 Discussion

Actual exam question for IIBA's CCBA exam

Question #: 114
Topic #: 2

[All CCBA Questions]

A business analyst (BA) has set up a number of elicitation workshops with key subject matter experts (SMEs) on a new project. All SMEs have accepted the workshop invitations except forthe legal SME, who has not responded to any invitations. The first workshop is scheduled for next week, and the BA has tried unsuccessfully to reach the legal SME by phone. How should the BA proceed?

ADrop by the legal SME's desk and have an informal chat about how important their involvement is.

BRe-check the legal SME's schedule and re-arrange all of the workshops based on vacancies in their calendar.

CEscalate the non-response to the legal SME's manager via email and request that they make the SME attend.

DProceed with the first workshop and capture the non-response as a project issue for the project manager to address.

Show Suggested Answer

Suggested Answer: C

Comprehensive and Detailed Sincelegal input is critical for the project, the BA shouldescalate the non-response to the SME's managerto ensure engagement.

BABOK Guide (Chapter 4.3 - Manage Stakeholder Collaboration)states thatstakeholder non-participation should be escalated when it affects project success.

Informal chats (Option A)may not be effective for ensuring attendance.

Rearranging all workshops (Option B)disrupts scheduling and may not guarantee attendance.

Proceeding without escalation (Option D)risks missing critical legal input.

by Eleni at Jul 14, 2025, 04:00 PM

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Amie

3 months ago

I doubt escalating it will help, might just create tension.

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Arlie

3 months ago

But what if they're just super busy?

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Georgiann

4 months ago

Totally agree, informal chats can work wonders!

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Dante

4 months ago

Option D seems practical, better to move forward than wait.

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Cherry

4 months ago

I think option A is a good way to get their attention.

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Viola

4 months ago

I practiced a similar question, and I think capturing the non-response as an issue is a safe way to proceed, but it feels like we might miss out on important input.

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Marnie

4 months ago

I think escalating to the manager could be seen as too aggressive. We should try to resolve it directly first, right?

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Marion

5 months ago

I'm not sure if rearranging the workshops is practical, especially since the legal SME hasn't responded. It could take too long.

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Lauryn

5 months ago

I remember we discussed the importance of involving all key stakeholders, especially legal, so I think dropping by might be a good approach.

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Andra

5 months ago

This is a classic case of needing to get buy-in from a key stakeholder. I'd start by trying to understand why the legal SME hasn't responded - there could be a valid reason. Then I'd focus on clearly communicating the importance of their involvement and see if that helps get them on board.

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Jutta

5 months ago

I think the key here is to try to engage the legal SME directly first before escalating. A polite follow-up email or phone call might do the trick. If that doesn't work, then I'd consider escalating to the manager as a last resort.

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Reiko

5 months ago

Hmm, I'm a bit torn on this one. Rearranging the workshops could work, but that feels like it might just be delaying the issue. Proceeding without the legal SME could be risky, but it might be the most pragmatic option.

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Sabrina

6 months ago

This seems like a tricky situation. I'm not sure if dropping by the SME's desk is the best approach - that could come across as too informal. Escalating to the manager might be a bit heavy-handed at this stage.

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Kerry

6 months ago

Maybe the legal SME is a vampire and can't attend during the day. Have the BA try a midnight workshop, see if that works better.

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Kenneth

6 months ago

I'm with Charlesetta on this one. Escalating it to the manager is the best way to ensure the legal SME takes this seriously. Can't have them skipping out on these workshops, that's just not acceptable.

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Gilma

6 months ago

True, but rearranging everything for one person seems excessive.

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Shantay

6 months ago

But what if they're still unresponsive? The manager might push them to prioritize.

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Emelda

6 months ago

I agree with Charlesetta, escalation shows we're serious about this project!

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Audria

6 months ago

I think having an informal chat could work too. Just a quick talk!

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Eden

7 months ago

Option B? Really? Rearranging the whole schedule just to accommodate one person? Seems like a bit of an overreaction if you ask me.

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Fallon

6 months ago

B: Escalate the non-response to the legal SME's manager via email and request that they make the SME attend.

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Kiera

6 months ago

A: Drop by the legal SME's desk and have an informal chat about how important their involvement is.

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Bok

8 months ago

Option D seems like the easiest solution, but I don't know, that non-response could really come back to haunt the project later on. Might be better to nip it in the bud.

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Stephaine

6 months ago

A) Drop by the legal SME's desk and have an informal chat about how important their involvement is.

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Blondell

8 months ago

I think proceeding with the first workshop and flagging the non-response as a project issue is a good idea.

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Isabella

8 months ago

Or maybe the BA could ask the legal SME's manager for assistance.

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Merilyn

8 months ago

I agree, maybe sending an email would be more effective.

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Charlesetta

8 months ago

Hmm, I think option C is the way to go. We can't just let the legal SME ignore the workshops, that's going to cause some serious issues down the line.

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Roxane

7 months ago

B: Definitely, we need to ensure their involvement for the success of the project.

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Peggie

8 months ago

A: I agree, escalating to the legal SME's manager is the best course of action.

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Ngoc

8 months ago

I think the BA should try to reach out to the legal SME again.

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