MIDTERM EXAM (90 mins.

)
BUSINESS ANALYSIS BSA2016
Fall 2024
Part 1. Multiple Choice (3 points)
1. Which of these could be a partaker in business analysis?
A. Stakeholders C. Journalist
B. Bankers D. Officers

2. To identify whom could potentially influence the deliverables of the project. What should
the business analyst analyze stakeholders?
A. The mission statement of the business area and it organizational charts
B. A description of the type of sole components that will be delivered
C. A description of the approach that will be taken to implement a new set of capabilities
D. A description of the methodology that will be used to deliver the new set of
capabilities

3. What is the definition of business analysis?

A. A list of tasks a Business Analysis must complete
B. The set of tasks and techniques used to work as a liaison among stakeholders in order
to understand the structure, policies and operations of an organization, and to recommend
end solutions that enable the organization to achieve its goals
C. The set of techniques used to analysis
D. The entire task a Project Manager carries out

4. Which of the following is not part of the micro environment?

A. Shareholders C. Public
B. Competitors D. Technology

5. What does Dog symbolize in BCG matrix?

A. Introduction C. Maturity
B. Growth D. Decline

6. One of the strategic decisions relating to the value chain concerns vertical integration
A. Deciding whether to locate operations in the home country or in a foreign location
B. Deciding whether the activity should be performed within the organization or by a
different firm
C. Directly involved in the production and delivery of the product or service
D. Directly involved in the production, marketing and delivery of the product or service

7. This is where the poor performing dogs are phased out or sold off?
A. Building strategy C. Harvesting strategy
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 B. Holding strategy D. Divesting strategy

8. What does Question Mark in BCG matrix?

A. Remain Diversified C. Stable
B. Invest D. Liquidate

9. If you own a bookstore and decide to purchase the vintage clothing boutique next door,
what type of diversification are you using?
A. Concentric diversification C. Vertical integration
B. Conglomerate diversification D. Horizontal integration

10. What is primary activities in the value chain

A. Directly involved in the production, marketing and delivery of the product or service
B. Those activities that are all undertaken in-house
C. Those activities that support the production, marketing and delivery of the product or
service
D. Directly involved in the production and delivery of the product or service

Part 2: Questions (7 points) Choose 2 out of 4 questions

1. [Strategy Analysis] Explain why you agree or disagree with each of the following
statements.
a. It is better to be a differentiator than a cost leader, since you can then charge premium
prices.
b. It is more profitable to be in a high-technology than a low-technology industry.
c. The reason why industries with large investments have high barriers to entry is because
it is costly to raise capital.
2. [Strategy Analysis] Consider the following accounting changes:
 a decrease in the estimated life of depreciable assets
 a decrease in doubtful debts as a percentage of gross receivables
 recognition of revenue from gold mining from when it was extracted rather than when
gold is delivered
If potential earnings management had taken place, how would the above accounting changes
impact the financial statements?
3. [Accounting Analysis] Fiona argues: ‘The accounting standards that I like most are the
ones that eliminate all management discretion in reporting – that way I get uniform

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 numbers across all companies and don’t have to worry about doing accounting analysis.’
Do you agree? Why or why not?

4. [Strategic Choices] A company operating in the field of transporting household

appliances in Hanoi. This field has become very competitive and with the recent down-
turn in trade, has become only marginally profitable. It has been suggested that the
strategic structure of the company should be widened to include other aspects of physical
distribution so that the maximum synergy would be obtained from that type of
diversification.

a. Suggest two activities which might fit into the suggested new strategic structure,
explaining each one briefly. Explain how each of these activities could be
incorporated into the existing structure
b. State the disadvantages of such diversification.