1500+ Business Analyst Interview Questions and Answers

UL and VUL are both types of life insurance policies, but VUL offers investment options while UL does not.

• UL stands for Universal Life Insurance, which offers a fixed premium and death benefit but no investment options

• VUL stands for Variable Universal Life Insurance, which offers investment options in addition to a flexible premium and death benefit

• VUL policyholders can choose to invest in stocks, bonds, and mutual funds, while UL policyholders cannot

• VUL policies have the pot...read more

Campaign data is stored in a centralized database, which can be integrated with customer data for analysis.

• Campaign data is typically stored in a centralized database or CRM system.

• Customer data can also be stored in a separate database or CRM system.

• By integrating the two datasets, business analysts can perform comprehensive analysis to understand the impact of campaigns on customer behavior.

• For example, combining campaign data with customer purchase history can help identif...read more

Yes, SQL queries can be written in Python using libraries like SQLAlchemy or Pandas.

• Python provides libraries like SQLAlchemy and Pandas for executing SQL queries.

• SQLAlchemy allows writing SQL queries in Python syntax and provides an Object-Relational Mapping (ORM) layer.

• Pandas provides a SQL-like interface called 'pandasql' to query DataFrames using SQL syntax.

• Both libraries offer flexibility and convenience in executing SQL queries within Python scripts.

Phone calls are more effective for Capital One's marketing strategy.

• Phone calls allow for immediate feedback and personalized communication.

• Letters may be ignored or lost in the mail.

• Capital One can track phone call success rates and adjust their strategy accordingly.

• Phone calls can also be used to cross-sell and upsell products.

• Letters may be more appropriate for certain types of communication, such as legal notices or account statements.

Tools used by Business Analyst include data visualization, project management, and requirements gathering software.

• Data visualization tools: Tableau, Power BI, QlikView

• Project management tools: JIRA, Trello, Asana

• Requirements gathering tools: IBM Rational RequisitePro, CaliberRM, Jama Connect

Business Analyst's key strengths include problem-solving, communication, and analytical skills.

• Strong problem-solving skills to identify and analyze business problems

• Excellent communication skills to effectively communicate with stakeholders

• Ability to gather and analyze data to make informed business decisions

• Knowledge of industry trends and best practices

• Experience with various business analysis tools and techniques

• Flexibility and adaptability to work in a fast-paced and cha...read more

Business analysts use various techniques to evaluate business requirements.

• Interview stakeholders to gather requirements

• Conduct workshops and brainstorming sessions

• Create use cases and user stories

• Perform gap analysis

• Conduct feasibility studies

• Use prototyping and wireframing

• Perform cost-benefit analysis

• Conduct risk assessments

• Use data modeling and process modeling techniques

I led a bid for a software implementation project worth $5 million, resulting in a successful contract with a major client.

• Led bid for $5 million software implementation project

• Negotiated contract terms with major client

• Ensured project met client's requirements and deadlines

To determine the number of streetlights in a small town, I would approach the problem by conducting a survey or gathering data from relevant sources.

• Conduct a survey of the town's residents or local authorities to gather information on the number of streetlights.

• Contact the town's public works department or utility companies to obtain data on streetlight installations.

• Review any available town planning documents or records that may contain information on streetlight installat...read more

Reducing delivery time can be achieved by optimizing the supply chain, improving communication, and automating processes.

• Analyze the supply chain and identify bottlenecks

• Implement automation tools to streamline processes

• Improve communication between departments and with customers

• Use data analytics to forecast demand and plan accordingly

• Consider outsourcing or partnering with third-party logistics providers

• Invest in technology such as GPS tracking and real-time monitoring

• Offer...read more

The population is split into four economic classes: Low, Low and Upper Middle, and Upper Class.

• 30% of the population belongs to the Low economic class.

• 40% of the population belongs to the Low and Upper Middle economic class.

• 20% of the population belongs to the Upper Middle economic class.

• 10% of the population belongs to the Upper Class.

Product life cycle refers to the stages a product goes through from introduction to decline. Product hierarchy is the arrangement of products into categories based on their attributes.

• Product life cycle includes introduction, growth, maturity, and decline stages

• Product hierarchy involves categorizing products based on their attributes such as size, color, and features

• Product hierarchy can also involve grouping products based on their relationship to each other, such as a prod...read more

Analytics is crucial for informed decision-making and driving business growth. EXL's expertise and innovative solutions make them the ideal choice.

• Analytics provides valuable insights into customer behavior, market trends, and business performance.

• Data-driven decision-making is essential for staying competitive in today's fast-paced business environment.

• EXL's advanced analytics capabilities and industry expertise enable them to deliver innovative solutions that drive business...read more

Different process modeling diagrams include flowcharts, data flow diagrams, use case diagrams, and activity diagrams.

• Flowcharts: visual representation of a process using symbols and arrows

• Data flow diagrams: shows how data flows through a system

• Use case diagrams: illustrates the interactions between actors and a system

• Activity diagrams: shows the flow of activities within a process

• Other diagrams include state transition diagrams and entity-relationship diagrams

To draw a dual axis chart of bar and line chart, use Excel or any other data visualization tool.

• Create a bar chart with the data you want to display

• Add a second data series and choose line chart as the chart type

• Right-click on the second data series and select 'Format Data Series'

• Under 'Series Options', choose 'Secondary Axis'

• Adjust the formatting as needed to make the chart clear and easy to read

The demand for artificial knee implants in India is increasing rapidly.

• India has a large aging population, which is a major factor driving the demand for knee implants.

• The rise in obesity and sedentary lifestyle has also contributed to the increase in demand.

• Advancements in technology and medical procedures have made knee replacement surgeries more accessible and affordable.

• The Indian government has also taken initiatives to promote medical tourism, which has further boosted ...read more

To find the volume of 3D figures with portions removed, calculate the volume of the complete figure and subtract the volume of the removed portion.

• Calculate the volume of the complete figure using the appropriate formula (e.g., for a cube, V = side^3)

• Determine the volume of the removed portion using the appropriate formula (e.g., for a cylinder, V = πr^2h)

• Subtract the volume of the removed portion from the volume of the complete figure to obtain the final volume

Approximately 150-200 million mobile phones are sold each year in India.

• India is the second-largest smartphone market in the world after China.

• The number of mobile phone users in India is expected to reach 1.25 billion by 2020.

• The Indian smartphone market grew by 7% YoY in 2019.

• Major players in the Indian smartphone market include Xiaomi, Samsung, and Vivo.

The total power requirement of India is approximately 200,000 MW.

• India's power demand is growing at a rate of 5-6% annually

• As of 2021, India's installed power capacity is around 383 GW

• The majority of India's power generation comes from coal-fired power plants

• Renewable energy sources such as solar and wind are also being increasingly utilized

Counting white vehicles from Patna to Kanpur involves visually identifying and tallying them along the route.

• Observe vehicles passing by on the route

• Note down the count of white vehicles

• Repeat the process until reaching Kanpur

• Use technology like cameras or drones for accurate counting if needed

I chose to move to Business Analysis as it aligns with my skills and interests.

• I enjoyed working in sales but wanted to explore a different area of business

• I have always been interested in data analysis and problem-solving

• Business Analysis allows me to use my skills and interests to help companies make informed decisions

• I am excited about the opportunity to learn and grow in this field

Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) is the practice of hiring a third-party company to handle non-core business activities.

• BPO is commonly used for tasks such as customer service, data entry, and accounting.

• It allows companies to focus on their core competencies and reduce costs.

• Examples of BPO companies include Accenture, IBM, and Infosys.

• BPO can be done domestically or internationally, with countries like India and the Philippines being popular outsourcing destinations.

• BPO c...read more

Quantifiable factors to rate cab drivers for company's purpose

• Customer ratings and feedback

• Number of completed trips

• Average trip duration

• Percentage of on-time pickups

• Accident and traffic violation history

• Vehicle cleanliness and maintenance

• Driver punctuality and professionalism

I don't have the available data to answer this question.

• Need data on number of barbers in Kanpur

• Need data on average revenue per barber

• Need data on number of working days in a year

• Need data on number of customers per barber per day

Types of SQL joins and their minimum and maximum possible rows.

• Types of joins: Inner, Left Outer, Right Outer, Full Outer, Cross

• Minimum rows: Inner - 0, Left/Right Outer - 1, Full Outer - 0, Cross - product of rows

• Maximum rows: Inner/Left/Right/Full Outer - product of rows, Cross - product of rows

P2P cycle is the Procure-to-Pay cycle which involves the process of purchasing goods or services and paying for them.

• The cycle starts with identifying the need for a product or service

• Then, a purchase requisition is created and sent for approval

• Once approved, a purchase order is created and sent to the supplier

• Goods or services are received and verified against the purchase order

• An invoice is received from the supplier and matched against the purchase order and goods receipt

• P...read more

BRD/SRS/FRD documents are used to define requirements for a project. They differ in level of detail and audience.

• BRD (Business Requirements Document) outlines high-level business objectives and requirements.

• SRS (Software Requirements Specification) details functional and non-functional requirements for software development.

• FRD (Functional Requirements Document) focuses on specific features and functionality of a software system.

• To prepare these documents, gather requirements ...read more

A burn down chart is a visual representation of the progress of a project, showing how much work is left to be done.

• It tracks the amount of work remaining over time

• It helps the team to stay on track and adjust their efforts as needed

• It shows the ideal progress line and the actual progress line

• It is commonly used in Agile methodologies

• Example: If a project has 100 tasks and the team completes 20 tasks in the first week, the burn down chart will show that 80 tasks are remaining...read more

Iterating to check if a number is prime in C language requires justification.

• Iterating through all numbers up to the square root of the number is necessary to check if it is prime.

• The time complexity of this algorithm is O(sqrt(n)), which is efficient for small to medium-sized numbers.

• For larger numbers, more efficient algorithms like the Miller-Rabin primality test can be used.

• The number of iterations required depends on the size of the number being checked.

• The iteration pro...read more

RPA stands for Robotic Process Automation. It is a software technology that automates repetitive tasks.

• RPA involves the use of software robots to automate repetitive tasks.

• The life cycle of RPA includes planning, designing, developing, testing, deploying, and maintaining the automation solution.

• Some popular RPA software products include UiPath, Blue Prism, and Automation Anywhere.

My strong point in technical knowledge is data analysis and visualization.

• Proficient in SQL and Excel for data manipulation and analysis

• Skilled in using Tableau and Power BI for data visualization

• Experience in creating dashboards and reports for stakeholders

• Knowledge in statistical analysis and predictive modeling

• Familiarity with programming languages such as Python and R

To design use case, I will follow these strategies

• Identify actors and their goals

• Define system boundaries

• Create a list of use cases

• Prioritize use cases based on importance

• Document use cases with clear and concise descriptions

• Validate use cases with stakeholders

• Update use cases as needed

Calculate average sales of a product for all days it is sold from sales table

• Retrieve sales data for the particular product from the sales table

• Calculate the total sales for each day the product is sold

• Sum up the total sales and divide by the number of days the product is sold to get the average sales

I cross-referenced the conflicting information with other reliable sources and consulted with relevant stakeholders to determine the accuracy.

• Cross-referenced conflicting information with other reliable sources

• Consulted with relevant stakeholders for clarification

• Analyzed the context and credibility of each source before making a decision

Choosing between two car varieties based on various costs

• Consider upfront costs such as purchase price and financing options

• Factor in ongoing costs such as fuel efficiency and maintenance

• Evaluate potential resale value

• Compare insurance rates

• Consider any additional features or benefits of each car

• Make a decision based on overall cost-effectiveness and personal preferences

The total cost for launching an XYZ device from clinical stage to commercialization depends on various factors such as research and development, clinical trials, manufacturing, marketing, and distribution.

• The cost of research and development can range from $50 million to $2 billion depending on the complexity of the device.

• Clinical trials can cost anywhere from $10 million to $100 million depending on the number of participants and the length of the trial.

• Manufacturing costs ...read more

Anova Test is used to compare means of three or more groups.

• Anova stands for Analysis of Variance

• It is used to determine if there is a significant difference between the means of three or more groups

• It compares the variance within groups to the variance between groups

• Real-time example: An Anova test can be used to compare the average salaries of employees in different departments of a company

Problem-solving involves identifying, analyzing, and resolving issues to achieve desired outcomes.

• Define the problem and gather information

• Brainstorm potential solutions

• Evaluate and select the best solution

• Implement the solution and monitor its effectiveness

• Adjust the solution as needed

• Real experience story: During a project, we faced a challenge with a vendor who was not meeting our expectations. We defined the problem, gathered data, and brainstormed potential solutions. We...read more

Merging two CSV files with left join in Python.

• Read both CSV files using pandas.

• Perform left join using merge() function.

• Save the merged data to a new CSV file.

To increase sales of sofas over the next three months, we can focus on marketing, promotions, and improving customer experience.

• Launch a social media campaign to showcase the latest sofa designs and offers

• Offer discounts and bundle deals to incentivize customers to purchase sofas

• Improve the in-store experience by providing comfortable seating areas and knowledgeable sales staff

• Partner with home decor influencers to showcase our sofas in their content

• Send personalized emails t...read more

Steps involved in analyzing decrease in sales for a particular area

• Identify the time period for which sales have decreased

• Analyze the sales data for the area and compare it with previous periods

• Identify any external factors that may have contributed to the decrease in sales

• Conduct customer surveys to identify any issues with products or services

• Analyze competitor activity in the area

• Develop a plan to address the issues identified

• Implement the plan and monitor the results

Calculate is a general term while calculate function refers to a specific method or formula.

• Calculate is a broad term that refers to any mathematical operation or process.

• Calculate function refers to a specific formula or method used to perform a calculation.

• For example, calculating the area of a circle is a general calculation, while using the formula A = πr^2 is a specific calculation function.

Subquery is a query nested within another query, while CTE is a temporary result set defined within a query. Both have their own use cases.

• Subquery is enclosed in parentheses and can be used in SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, or DELETE statements.

• CTE is defined using the WITH keyword and can be referenced multiple times in a query.

• CTEs are more readable and easier to maintain compared to subqueries.

• Subqueries are useful when the result set is needed only once, while CTEs are benefici...read more

It depends on various factors such as demand, competition, profitability, and operational feasibility.

• Analyze the demand for the current route and potential demand for other routes

• Evaluate the competition on the current route and other potential routes

• Assess the profitability of the current route and potential routes

• Consider the operational feasibility of shifting to another route

• Examples of potential routes could be Mango to London or Mango to Dubai