PMI-PBA® · PMI · Needs Assessment · Bank updated 2026-07-02
PMI-PBA® practice questions: Needs Assessment
5 free questions from 53 on this area · answer and explanation for each · no sign-up
These 5 questions come from the Needs Assessment section of our PMI-PBA® bank (53 questions on this area, which carries 18% of the real exam). Every question is original, with the correct answer explained and linked to the source it is drawn from.
1/5 · Needs Assessment · easy
A business analyst drafting a situation statement for a new initiative should include which combination of elements?
AThe current state, the business problem or opportunity, and its impact on the organization, written objectively without proposing a solution.
BA list of functional requirements and acceptance criteria for the future solution.
CA recommended solution, its estimated cost, and the expected return on investment.
DThe problem or opportunity along with the sponsoring stakeholder's position in the organizational chart.
Show answer & explanation
A is correct. PMI guidance emphasizes that situation statements should remain objective and solution-neutral, capturing the current state, the problem/opportunity, and its organizational impact so stakeholders agree on the need before any solution is discussed. Introducing solutions, costs, or requirements at this stage risks anchoring analysis prematurely.
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2/5 · Needs Assessment · hard
A sponsor asks the BA to finalize the business case for a new inventory system before it goes to the governance board for approval. The BA has already documented the situation statement, root cause analysis, and an options analysis with a cost-benefit comparison. Which additional element is essential to include before submitting a complete business case, per PMI guidance?
AAn assessment of risks, assumptions, and constraints associated with the recommended option, along with a comparison against the do-nothing/status quo baseline.
BA detailed requirements traceability matrix mapping every requirement to a specific test case.
CA finalized project schedule with a resource-loaded Gantt chart for the recommended option.
DSigned acceptance criteria from end users confirming the future-state solution meets their needs.
Show answer & explanation
A is correct. PMI guidance describes a complete business case as including the problem/opportunity, options analysis with financial comparison (often including a do-nothing baseline), a recommended option, and an assessment of associated risks, assumptions, and constraints so decision-makers can weigh both value and exposure. Detailed artifacts like schedules, traceability matrices, and signed acceptance criteria come later, once the initiative is approved and detailed planning/requirements work begins.
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3/5 · Needs Assessment
While supporting charter development for a new CRM initiative, a business analyst is asked by the sponsor to draft the business case section, referencing needs assessment findings. What content represents the BA's key contribution to this section?
AA complete work breakdown structure (WBS) for project execution
BFinalized procurement contract terms for the selected CRM vendor
CA summary of the business need, the gap between current and desired capability, high-level solution options, and expected benefits
DA detailed functional requirements specification for the CRM system
Show answer & explanation
C is correct. The BA's contribution to a charter's business case is grounded in needs assessment: articulating the business need, quantifying the current-to-desired capability gap, outlining viable solution options, and estimating benefits — not detailed requirements, WBS, or contracts.
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4/5 · Needs Assessment · hard
A BA helping a logistics firm decide whether to build a new capability in-house or acquire it through partnership builds a table listing each required capability, the organization's current maturity level, the target maturity level, and the resulting gap. Which needs assessment output is she producing, and what is its primary purpose?
AA traceability matrix, used to link requirements to test cases
BA capability table, used to identify capability gaps that inform potential solution options
CA stakeholder register, used to identify who owns each capability
DA RACI chart, used to assign responsibility for capability delivery
Show answer & explanation
B is correct. A capability table is a needs assessment tool documenting current-state versus desired-state capabilities and the resulting gap. It gives the BA and sponsor an evidence base for identifying and comparing potential solution options — such as build versus partner — that could close the gap.
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5/5 · Needs Assessment
A retail chain wants to implement a real-time inventory tracking solution across 400 stores. The business analyst is examining whether the company's existing network infrastructure, hardware, and IT architecture can support the proposed solution, or whether significant new technology investment would be required. This examination is part of which feasibility dimension?
AOperational feasibility
BCost-effectiveness feasibility
CTechnology feasibility
DTime feasibility
Show answer & explanation
C is correct. Technology feasibility looks specifically at whether existing or achievable IT infrastructure, hardware, and architecture are capable of supporting a proposed solution, separate from questions of staff readiness, schedule, or financial justification.
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