A business analyst (BA) is defining the decision-making process for changes raised during a project and wants to understand the decision making authorities within the company. What might the BA do to gather this information?

A focus group is a technique for eliciting information from a group of stakeholders who have knowledge or experience on a specific topic. It involves asking open-ended questions, facilitating discussions, and capturing feedback. A focus group can help the BA to gather information about the decision making authorities within the company by engaging with the relevant stakeholders, such as project sponsors, managers, directors, or board members. The BA can use the focus group to understand the roles, responsibilities, and expectations of the decision makers, as well as the criteria, methods, and processes they use to make decisions. The other options are not suitable techniques for gathering this information. A market analysis is a technique for researching and analyzing the external factors that affect the demand, supply, and opportunities for a product, service, or solution. A survey is a technique for collecting quantitative or qualitative data from a large number of respondents using a predefined set of questions. A cost benefit analysis is a technique for comparing the costs and benefits of alternative solutions or courses of action. Reference: CBAP / CCBA Certified Business Analysis Study Guide, 2nd Edition, Chapter 5: Elicitation and Collaboration,
p. 164-165, 168-169, 171-172; A Guide to the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK Guide), Version 3, Chapter 4: Elicitation and Collaboration, Section 4.2: Prepare for Elicitation, p. 94-95; Chapter 10: Techniques, Section 10.15: Focus Groups, p. 378-379.