IIBA CCBA Exam - Topic 5 Question 112 Discussion

Actual exam question for IIBA's CCBA exam

Question #: 112
Topic #: 5

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 for the 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?

ARe-check the legal SMEs schedule and re-arrange all of the workshops based on vacancies in his or her public calendar

BDrop by the legal SMEs desk and have an informed chat about how important his or her involvement and input is on the project

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

DEscalate the non-response to the legal SMEs manager via email and request that they make the legal SME attend

Show Suggested Answer

Suggested Answer: C

Elicitation workshops are a technique that involves bringing together a group of stakeholders to elicit, analyze, and validate requirements for a project. Elicitation workshops require careful planning, preparation, and facilitation to ensure that the objectives are met and the outcomes are documented. Elicitation workshops also depend on the participation and collaboration of the relevant stakeholders, especially the subject matter experts who have the knowledge and expertise on the project domain.

If the business analyst has set up a number of elicitation workshops with key subject matter experts on a new project, and one of them has not responded to any invitations, the business analyst should proceed with the first workshop and capture the non-response as a project issue for the project manager to address. This is the best course of action because it allows the business analyst to continue with the planned elicitation activities and avoid delays or disruptions to the project schedule. It also ensures that the non-response is communicated and escalated to the appropriate authority, who can take the necessary actions to resolve the issue and ensure the involvement and input of the legal SME in the future workshops.

by Bev at Jun 15, 2025, 12:11 PM

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Christiane

5 months ago

I wouldn't escalate right away, that could create tension.

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Chuck

5 months ago

C seems reasonable too, but it might backfire without legal input.

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Lorean

5 months ago

Wait, why hasn't the legal SME responded? That's odd!

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Twana

5 months ago

Agree, dropping by shows you care about their input.

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Artie

5 months ago

I think option B is the best way to go. Personal touch matters!

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Basilia

6 months ago

I recall that re-checking the SME's schedule could help, but it seems like a lot of effort if they haven't responded at all.

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Deangelo

6 months ago

I feel like proceeding with the workshop and documenting the issue could be a safe option, but what if we miss critical legal insights?

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Izetta

6 months ago

I think I saw a similar question in our practice exams where we had to decide whether to escalate or not. I wonder if escalating is too aggressive here?

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Donte

6 months ago

I remember we discussed the importance of engaging all SMEs, especially legal ones, but I'm not sure if dropping by their desk is the best approach.

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Stanford

7 months ago

Option A seems like a lot of work just to accommodate one person's schedule. I'd go with option D and escalate to the legal SME's manager. Their involvement is critical, so we need to make sure they participate.

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Dalene

7 months ago

Hmm, I'm leaning towards option C. Capturing the non-response as a project issue seems like a good way to document it and get the project manager involved to help resolve it. We shouldn't delay the workshop just because one SME hasn't responded.

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Effie

7 months ago

I'm a bit confused on the best approach here. Should we really just proceed with the workshop without the legal SME? That seems risky. Maybe option D to escalate to their manager would be the safest bet.

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Jaime

7 months ago

This seems like a tricky situation. I'd probably try option B and have a chat with the legal SME to understand why they haven't responded and emphasize the importance of their involvement.

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Hollis

10 months ago

You know, maybe the legal SME is just busy drafting a 50-page contract for the project. That's the kind of thing that keeps lawyers busy, right? *chuckles*

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Judy

9 months ago

D) Escalate the non-response to the legal SMEs manager via email and request that they make the legal SME attend

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Terry

9 months ago

B) Drop by the legal SMEs desk and have an informed chat about how important his or her involvement and input is on the project

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Titus

9 months ago

A) Re-check the legal SMEs schedule and re-arrange all of the workshops based on vacancies in his or her public calendar

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Anthony

10 months ago

I think the BA should escalate the non-response to the legal SMEs manager. It's their responsibility to ensure their team members are involved in the project.

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Luz

10 months ago

Hmm, I'm not sure I like the idea of escalating to the legal SME's manager. That could create some unnecessary tension. Let's try the more diplomatic approach first.

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Markus

9 months ago

C) proceed with the first workshop and capture the non-response as a project issue for the project manager to address

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Winfred

9 months ago

Hmm, I agree. It's important to handle this situation delicately.

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Shannon

10 months ago

B) Drop by the legal SMEs desk and have an informed chat about how important his or her involvement and input is on the project

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Linn

10 months ago

A) Re-check the legal SMEs schedule and re-arrange all of the workshops based on vacancies in his or her public calendar

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Ciara

10 months ago

I agree with Christiane. It's important to make sure everyone can attend the workshops.

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Sherly

11 months ago

I agree with Yvonne. Waiting for the legal SME to magically show up is not going to happen. We need to move forward and keep the project on track.

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Elli

10 months ago

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

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My

10 months ago

A: Re-check the legal SMEs schedule and re-arrange all of the workshops based on vacancies in his or her public calendar

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Yvonne

11 months ago

Option C is the way to go. We can't keep delaying the project just because one SME is MIA. Capturing it as an issue is the best approach.

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Virgina

9 months ago

D: Escalating to the legal SMEs manager might be necessary if they continue to be unresponsive.

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Pamella

9 months ago

C: It's important to keep things moving forward, even if not all SMEs are present.

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Tesha

9 months ago

B: I agree, we can't let one missing SME hold up the entire project.

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Lonny

10 months ago

A: We should just proceed with the first workshop and flag it as a project issue.

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Christiane

11 months ago

I think the BA should re-check the legal SMEs schedule and re-arrange all of the workshops.

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