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CBAP · Question #457

The performance of a newly implemented document management system is falling significantly short of the measures defined as part of the project. However, the business is recognizing some level of valu

The correct answer is B. Retire the implemented solution. When the only available option to fix an underperforming solution costs ten times more than its expected benefits, the cost-benefit analysis clearly does not justify remediation, and the BA should recommend retiring the solution.

Solution Evaluation

Question

The performance of a newly implemented document management system is falling significantly short of the measures defined as part of the project. However, the business is recognizing some level of value from the system. The business analyst (BA) considers the only option available to the company to increase performance and determines that the cost of implementing the option is ten times higher than the expected benefits. What should the BA recommend?

Options

  • AContinue with the implemented solution
  • BRetire the implemented solution
  • CConduct elicitation
  • DPlan stakeholder engagement

How the community answered

(36 responses)
  • A
    14% (5)
  • B
    75% (27)
  • C
    3% (1)
  • D
    8% (3)

Why each option

When the only available option to fix an underperforming solution costs ten times more than its expected benefits, the cost-benefit analysis clearly does not justify remediation, and the BA should recommend retiring the solution.

AContinue with the implemented solution

Continuing with the implemented solution ignores the significant performance shortfall against defined measures and the unfavorable economics of the only available fix.

BRetire the implemented solutionCorrect

Retiring the solution is warranted because the single available remediation option has a cost-to-benefit ratio of 10:1, meaning the investment required to reach target performance far exceeds the value that would be gained. The BA's role includes evaluating solution performance against defined measures and recommending disposition based on whether continuing, enhancing, or retiring the solution delivers the best value - in this case, retirement is the only economically sound recommendation.

CConduct elicitation

Conducting elicitation is a requirements-gathering technique used to understand needs, not an appropriate response when a cost-benefit analysis has already determined remediation is not viable.

DPlan stakeholder engagement

Planning stakeholder engagement is a planning activity and does not address the underlying performance problem or the economic decision that must be made about the solution's future.

Concept tested: Solution performance evaluation and retirement decision

Source: https://www.iiba.org/career-resources/a-business-analysis-professionals-foundation-for-success/babok/

Topics

#solution evaluation#cost-benefit analysis#solution retirement#performance measurement

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