PMI CAPM (Certified Associate in Project Management) Examination Content OutlineBusiness Analysis FrameworksHard

A business analyst is facilitating a workshop with diverse stakeholders to gather requirements for a new customer relationship management (CRM) system. During the session, several stakeholders express conflicting priorities, making it difficult to reach a consensus on critical features. Which stakeholder engagement technique would be most effective in resolving these conflicting priorities and moving forward?

  1. ABrainstorming
  2. BObservation
  3. CDocument analysis
  4. DConflict resolution and negotiation
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: D. Conflict resolution and negotiation

When conflicting priorities arise, the business analyst needs to actively employ conflict resolution and negotiation techniques to facilitate discussion, identify underlying interests, and work towards a mutually acceptable solution or compromise.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A. Brainstorming is used for generating ideas, not for resolving conflicts over existing priorities.
  • B. Observation is used to understand current processes, not to mediate conflicting stakeholder priorities.
  • C. Document analysis is a passive technique for reviewing existing materials, not for direct stakeholder interaction to resolve conflicts.

Conflict Resolution & Negotiation (BA)

Techniques used by business analysts to manage disagreements among stakeholders, identify common ground, and facilitate consensual decisions or acceptable compromises.

  • Crucial for managing diverse stakeholder interests.
  • Involves active listening, mediation, and establishing common goals.
  • Aims to achieve consensus or an acceptable solution for the project.

Memory trick: Engage to CONFLICT, then RESOLVE to connect.

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