BCS Foundation Business Analysis Practice Exam 2025 - Free Business Analyst Practice Questions and Study Guide

The third stage in the Business Analysis Process model is "Analyse needs." This phase is critical because it involves examining the information gathered during the initial stages to identify the specific needs and requirements of stakeholders. Here, business analysts take a closer look at the current situation and any issues that have been identified, carefully analyzing them to determine what exactly needs to be addressed.

This step is essential as it lays the foundation for defining clear and actionable requirements in the subsequent stage. By thoroughly understanding the needs, analysts ensure that the solutions developed later align with these needs, ultimately leading to more effective problem-solving and decision-making. The analysis helps in prioritizing requirements based on their significance and implications for the business, leading to a more structured approach in defining what must be done to improve the situation.

In contrast, the other stages focus on different aspects: investigating the situation gathers information, defining requirements clarifies what needs to be accomplished based on the analyzed needs, and evaluating options involves selecting the best solution among alternatives. The sequence is designed to guide analysts through a logical progression from general information gathering to specific and actionable requirements.