BCS BAPv5 - BCS Practitioner Certificate in Business Analysis Practice v5.2

 An investment appraisal calculation is a technique for assessing whether a proposed business change or solution is financially viable and worthwhile. It helps to compare the costs and benefits of different options and select the best one based on objective criteria. There are different types of investment appraisal calculations, such as payback calculation, net present value, internal rate of return and discounted cash flow. Therefore, option A is the correct answer, as payback calculation is the simplest investment appraisal calculation that considers the tangible costs and benefits of a project, as well as showing when it will have saved as much money as it has cost. Payback calculation measures how long it will take for a project to recover its initial investment by comparing its cumulative cash inflows with its cumulative cash outflows over time. It helps to show how quickly a project will break even or generate profit. Option B is not a correct answer, as net present value is not the simplest investment appraisal calculation that considers only tangible costs and benefits. Net present value measures how much value a project will add or subtract from an organisation by comparing its present value of cash inflows with its present value of cash outflows over time. It helps to show how profitable a project will be in today’s terms. Net present value requires discounting future cash flows using an appropriate discount rate, which adds complexity to the calculation. Option C is not a correct answer, as internal rate of return is not the simplest investment appraisal calculation that considers only tangible costs and benefits. Internal rate of return measures how efficient a project is by calculating its annualised effective compounded return rate or rate of growth over time. It helps to show how attractive a project is compared to other investment opportunities. Internal rate of return requires finding an unknown discount rate that makes net present value equal to zero, which adds complexity to the calculation. Option D is not a correct answer, as discounted cash flow is not an investment appraisal calculation itself, but a method for estimating future cash flows by applying an appropriate discount rate to reflect their present value. Discounted cash flow can be used in other investment appraisal calculations, such as net present value or internal rate of return.

A competency is a combination of skills, knowledge and behaviours that enable a person to perform a task or role effectively and efficiently. Therefore, option D is the correct answer, as it describes the competencies required for this role based on the job advert. Business case development is a competency that involves creating and presenting a formal written proposal that details the costs and benefits of a proposed business change or solution. It helps to justify and secure the approval and funding for a proposed business change or solution. This competency is required for this role, as the job advert states that the business analyst will assist in the development of formal written proposals detailing the cost and benefit of proposed business initiatives. Investigation techniques is a competency that involves using a variety of methods to explore and define complex situations or problems within an organisation or project. It helps to elicit, analyse, validate and prioritise the views and needs of stakeholders and identify the root causes and effects of situations or problems. This competency is required for this role, as the job advert states that the business analyst should be able to use a variety of methods to explore and define complex situations. Business architecture is a competency that involves designing and modelling the structure and relationships of an organisation or project at a high level of abstraction. It helps to understand how an organisation or project operates, delivers value and achieves its objectives and outcomes. This competency is required for this role, as the job advert states that the business analyst should have experience of producing blueprints in terms of processes, management structures, culture and people. Option A is not a correct answer, as it does not describe all the competencies required for this role based on the job advert. Subject matter expertise is a competency that involves having in-depth knowledge and understanding of a specific domain or industry within an organisation or project. It helps to provide insights and guidance on the best practices and standards within a specific domain or industry. This competency is not required for this role, as the job advert does not state that the business analyst should have subject matter expertise in any specific domain or industry. Option B is not a correct answer, as it does not describe all the competencies required for this role based on the job advert. Domain knowledge is a competency that involves having general knowledge and understanding of a broad domain or industry within an organisation or project. It helps to provide context and background on the nature and scope of a domain or industry. This competency is not required for this role, as the job advert does not state that the business analyst should have domain knowledge in any broad domain or industry. Gap analysis is a competency that involves comparing current and desired situations or problems and identifying the differences or gaps between them. It helps to determine what changes or improvements are needed to bridge the gaps and achieve desired situations or problems. This competency is not required for this role, as the job advert does not state that the business analyst should have experience of gap analysis. Option C is not a correct answer, as it does not describe all the competencies required for this role based on the job advert. Requirements engineering is a competency that involves eliciting, analysing, specifying, validating and managing requirements for a system or product within an organisation or project. It helps to ensure that requirements are clear, complete, consistent, testable and traceable throughout the system or product lifecycle. This competency is not required for this role, as the job advert does not state that the business analyst should have experience of requirements engineering.