- (Topic 2)
A real estate broker is tracking monthly sales between two of its teams. The results have been visualized using a Treemap chart. What is the advantage of using a Treemap chart, over a Sunburst chart to visualize the results?

1. A. With its colour scheme, it is easy to compare the variables within a Treemap
2. B. With its rectangles and straight lines, a Treemap is optimized to include more
3. C. A Treemap is meant to represent a hierarchical result set as opposed to a Sunburst chart
4. D. A Treemap shows all the hierarchical levels of data as opposed to a Sunburst chart

Correct Answer: B
A Treemap chart is a type of chart that displays hierarchical data as a set of nested rectangles, where the size and color of each rectangle represent a quantitative value and a categorical variable, respectively1. A Sunburst chart is a type of chart that displays hierarchical data as a set of concentric circles, where the size and color of each slice represent a quantitative value and a categorical variable, respectively2. Both charts are useful for visualizing hierarchical data structures, but they have different advantages and disadvantages. One advantage of using a Treemap chart over a Sunburst chart is that a Treemap chart is optimized to include more data points, as it uses a Cartesian coordinate system that fills the entire rectangular space of the chart area, whereas a Sunburst chart uses a polar coordinate system that leaves empty spaces in the corners of the chart area3. This means that a Treemap chart can display more levels of hierarchy, more categories, and more details than a Sunburst chart, without compromising readability or clarity. Therefore, the correct answer is B, as a Treemap chart is optimized to include more data than a Sunburst chart.
References:1: Treemap Charts in Excel - Easy Excel Tutorial, 2: Sunburst Chart in Excel - Easy Excel Tutorial, 3: Breaking down hierarchical data with Treemap and Sunburst charts| Microsoft 365 Blog

- (Topic 1)
Interested in experimenting with analytics, a manufacturing company hires an analyst to see how the capability can be developed within its organization. The analyst is getting started and recognizes the need to show value from the onset of their work to gain upper management's trust and future funding. What action will accomplish these objectives?

1. A. Solve the biggest problem the organization has first to quickly grab the support and attention of senior management
2. B. Develop a question that can be answered quickly regardless of alignment to strategy, just to get started
3. C. Develop a meaningful question that can be answered with data the company already has in its possession
4. D. Perform a market analysis to understand how competitors are using analytics and then launch a similar initiative

Correct Answer: C
The best action for the analyst to show value from the onset of their work is to develop a meaningful question that can be answered with data the company already has in its possession. This way, the analyst can demonstrate the potential of analytics to solve relevant business problems, without spending too much time or resources on data collection or market research. The question should also be aligned with the organization??s strategy and goals, and provide actionable insights for decision making12. References: 1: Guide to Business Data Analytics, IIBA, 2020, p. 202: Data Science for Business, Foster Provost and Tom Fawcett, 2013, p. 14.

- (Topic 2)
The data analysis completed by the analytics team points to three potential options that could be recommended by the team each of which will help their organization meet their desired goal. Given that there is no significant difference in the results that each option would provide, the team will reach a final recommendation by determining value to be delivered to specific parts of the organization and:

1. A. Within the functional unit with the most staff
2. B. By which manager wants the change the most
3. C. Assessing the impact of change for each one
4. D. By optaining a decision by senior management

Correct Answer: C
According to the IIBA??s Guide to Business Data Analytics, one of the steps in the data analysis process is to use the results to influence business decision making. This involves evaluating the feasibility, viability, and desirability of the potential options or solutions that are derived from the data analysis, and recommending the best option or solution that aligns with the business goals and objectives1. To evaluate the feasibility, viability, and desirability of the options or solutions, the data analysis team should consider the value to be delivered to specific parts of the organization and the impact of change for each one. The value to be delivered refers to the benefits, outcomes, or improvements that the option or solution will provide to the stakeholders, customers, or processes of the organization. The impact of change refers to the costs, risks, or challenges that the option or solution will entail for the implementation, adoption, or maintenance of the organization. By assessing the value and the impact of each option or solution, the data analysis team can compare and contrast the trade-offs, pros and cons, and strengths and weaknesses of each option or solution, and select the one that maximizes the value and minimizes the impact for the organization2.
The other options are not correct criteria for reaching a final recommendation. The functional unit with the most staff, the manager who wants the change the most, and the senior management are not relevant factors for evaluating the options or solutions, as they do not reflect the value or the impact of the options or solutions. The functional unit with the most staff may not be the most affected or the most important part of the organization for the data analysis project. The manager who wants the change the most may not have the authority, influence, or expertise to make the best decision for the organization. The senior management may not be the only or the final decision makers for the data analysis project, as they may delegate, consult, or collaborate with other stakeholders or experts. References:1: Guide to Business Data Analytics, IIBA, 2020, p. 572: Guide to Business Data Analytics, IIBA, 2020, p. 58. : Guide to Business Data Analytics, IIBA, 2020, p. 57. : Guide to Business Data Analytics, IIBA, 2020, p. 58.

- (Topic 1)
A software company launched a new product in late 2016. The product manager is reviewing a Box and Whisker plot used to compare year-over-year sales, from 2017 to 2018. What is the conclusion he can make from this chart?

1. A. 2017 minimum and maximum sales are higher than 2018, and the 2017 median result is higher than the 2018 median result
2. B. 2017 minimum and maximum sales are higher than 2018, but the 2017 median result is lower than 2018 1st quartile result
3. C. 2018 minimum and maximum sales are higher than 2017, and the 2018 quartile results arehigher than 2017 quartile results
4. D. 2018 minimum and maximum sales are higher than 2017, and the 2018 1st quartile is higher than 2017 median result

Correct Answer: D

- (Topic 1)
An online retailer of men's athletic apparel is seeking to become the market leader in the industry. To deliver on this strategy, the analytics team continuously collects data on the prices of competitorproducts and uses this information to adjust the retailer's prices. What type of analytics is the retailer using to maintain their pricing structure?

1. A. Descriptive
2. B. Diagnostic
3. C. Predictive
4. D. Prescriptive

Correct Answer: D
Prescriptive analytics is the type of analytics that the retailer is using to maintain their pricing structure, because it is a technique that uses data and models to recommend the best course of action for a given situation. Prescriptive analytics can help the retailer optimize their prices based on the data collected from the competitors, the market conditions, and the customer preferences, and thus achieve their strategic goal of becoming the market leader. References:
•Business Analysis Certification in Data Analytics, CBDA | IIBA®, CBDA Competencies, Domain 3: Analyze Data
•Understanding the Guide to Business Data Analytics, page 17
•CERTIFICATION IN BUSINESS DATA ANALYTICS HANDBOOK - IIBA®, page 8, CBDA Exam Sample Questions and Self-Assessment, Question 11