Exam Number 820-427 BTBBSS
Associated Certifications Cisco Enterprise IT Business Specialist
Duration 90 Minutes (60 - 70 questions)
Available Languages English
The 820-427 Building Business Specialist Skills exam tests a candidate's knowledge of skills to effectively discover opportunities for IT value, design, and ability to oversee development of business-focused solutions plus translate among business and IT language. These abilities are highly valued by IT and Line of Business leaders, as indicators than an IT professional has the expertise and influence to deliver superior business impacts.
This exam tests a candidate's knowledge of skills to effectively discover opportunities for IT value, design, and oversee development of business-focused solutions plus translate among business and IT language. These abilities are highly valued by IT and Line of Business leaders, as indicators that an IT professional has the expertise and influence to deliver superior business impacts. Candidates can prepare for this exam by taking the Building Business Specialist Skills course (BTBBSS).
The following topics are general guidelines for the content likely to be included on the exam. However, other related topics may also appear on any specific delivery of the exam. In order to better reflect the contents of the exam and for clarity purposes, the guidelines below may change at any time without notice.
1.0 Business Context 9%
1.1 Describe the purpose of an organization's vision, mission, strategy, objectives, and initiatives
1.2 Compare and contrast Critical Success Factors (CSFs) and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
1.3 Contrast strategy, management, and operations
1.4 Compare frameworks used across business and IT efforts
1.4.a Enterprise architecture (i.e., TOGAF, COBIT)
1.4.b Quality (i.e., Six Sigma)
1.4.c Service management (i.e., ITIL)
1.4.d Program management (i.e., MSP, MOP)
1.4.e Project management (i.e., PMBOK, Prince II, APMP)
2.0 Research Techniques and Tools 10%
2.1 Compare and contrast business-focused investigative techniques and tools (i.e., workshops, observation, primary research, questionnaires, interviews, focus groups)
2.2 Use and apply business-focused investigative techniques and tools
2.3 Apply technology discovery methods to gather information (i.e., usage patterns, external industry research papers, conferences, monitoring tools)
3.0 Business Analysis and Business Case 17%
3.1 Create a stakeholder map and conduct stakeholder analysis
3.2 Identify relevant business scenarios
3.3 Create an analysis of business capabilities
3.4 Construct gap analysis and document pain points/opportunities.
3.5 Identify elements of a cross-functional business diagram.
3.6 Describe the structure of a business case.
3.7 Create and verify the value proposition as the foundation of the business case.
3.8 Describe how to use a business case through the life cycle, to approval for investments
4.0 Technology and Trends 13%
4.1 Describe the as-is state: current services and how to optimize them for maximum value
4.2 Describe how technology impacts an organization's business capabilities
4.2.a Describe consequences of not changing outdated technologies
4.2.b Describe consequences of adopting emerging or new technologies
4.3 Identify the enterprise architecture taxonomy and how its components interrelate
4.4 Demonstrate ability to work with business and technology subject matter experts to research and assess options for technology improvement
4.5 Discover technology advances and explain how they impact business value
5.0 Technology Analysis 16%
5.1 Analyze business requirements to determine technology requirements
5.2 Identify existing technology capabilities
5.3 Formulate needed technology capabilities
5.4 Evaluate technology gaps
5.5 Compare possible technology solutions and map them to existing technology capabilities and stakeholder viewpoints
5.6 Formulate one or more recommendations based on possible technology solutions
5.7 Design a Proof of Concept and analyze the results
5.8 Employ techniques to align technology requirements with business capabilities
5.9 Evaluate potential internal and external technology solutions
5.9.a Analyze whether existing technology can be leveraged to solve business problems
5.9.b Provide technology requirements (domain knowledge) to include within RFIs/RFPs/RFQs
5.9.c Grade the responses to RFIs/RFPs/RFQs
5.9.d Assess considerations of different IT solution deployment strategies
5.10 Evaluate the non-financial impact of technologies, trends, and consumption models as they apply to business solutions
6.0 Finance Basics and Project Management 13%
6.1 Apply financial terms in the context of evaluating a simple business case
6.2 Describe and apply technology consumption and pricing models in a business context
6.2a Hardware
6.2b Software Licensing
6.2c Internal and external support and professional services
6.2d Cost of operations
6.2e Lifecycle management
6.2f Pay as you use models
6.2g CAPEX to OPEX
6.3 Describe implications of budgeting practices
6.3.a How budgets affect decisions within an organization
6.3.b Charge back, show back
6.3.c Project bundling
6.4 Describe how value is created and managed within an enterprise
6.4.a Defining Value
6.4.b Balancing risk versus rewards
6.4.c Approaches and influences on financial investment decisions
6.5 Develop portions of a financially justified business case, to answer key questions and support achievement of results
6.5.a Calculate return on the investment
6.5.b Compare against cost of capital
6.5.c Identify level of risk
6.5.d Define how the business cases helps in translating benefits into financial value
6.5.e Calculate ROI, Total cost of ownership, time to value, break-even point
6.6 Explain how project management helps to promote successful outcomes
6.7 Explain core principles, methods, and techniques for effectively managing projects
6.8 Describe how to influence a project implementation to ensure success
6.9 Demonstrate ability to perform risk analysis (financial, operational, and strategic)
6.10 Create a risk mitigation plan
7.0 Implementation and Adoption 10%
7.1 Demonstrate ability to work with delivery teams to ensure implementations meet requirements
7.2 Demonstrate ability to work with management team to plan for and ensure successful adoption of technology solutions
7.3 Collect metrics, analyze against KPIs and CSFs, and report back to senior management
7.4 Create the phased roadmap for implementation and adoption
7.5 Calculate the impact of technological change on people and processes
7.6 Demonstrate ability to incorporate IT change management best practice principles within a solution proposal
7.7 Construct requirements for adoption of IT solutions into the business
8.0 Communications and Influence 12%
8.1 Articulate technical information in a clear and concise manner
8.2 Apply core communication skills effectively
8.3 Demonstrate ability to deliver information effectively
8.3.a Vary communications level of detail, style, scope, by audience (i.e.one on one, group, executive)
8.3.b Align messages to the audience
QUESTION 1
What two statements correctly describe vision or mission? (Choose two.)
A. A mission is a statement of the purpose of a company.
B. A vision is what a company wants to become in the mid-term or long-term future.
C. A vision describes actions the organization will take to achieve specific goals.
D. A mission identifies the company's planned investments to increase revenue.
E. A vision is only used by for-profit companies.
F. A mission is only used by public sector organizations.
Answer: A,B
Explanation:
QUESTION 2
What two statements are true about Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)? (Choose two.)
A. A KPI is a quantifiable metric of the performance of essential operations and/or processes in an organization.
B. A KPI provides the focal point for identifying how much risk a company can take in trying to avoid government fines.
C. A KPI could reflect the performance of Service Providers in achieving their goals and objectives.
D. KPIs are based on judgment, and therefore should be used carefully when defining the value of a technology solution.
Answer: A,C
Explanation:
QUESTION 3
Which is a critical first step when thinking about how to communicate technical content to a senior business manager?
A. Identify a person on her staff who can explain details.
B. Listen to the customer to understand her KPIs.
C. Plan out your message to explain potential options.
D. Draft a high level message using language pulled from the top IT vendors.
Answer: B
Explanation:
QUESTION 4
Your company wants to increase sales by selling in new countries and by getting more repeat
orders and revenue from current customers. What is one technique that can help to communicate
how technology solutions can improve business outcomes?
A. Prepare a detailed cause and effect model.
B. Benchmark different technology solutions to identify the best mix of hardware and software.
C. Prepare a visual diagram showing the current business operation and possible future scenarios
with different technology solutions in place.
D. Create a document that has a summary of current problems followed by detailed descriptions of
technology features that reduce operating costs.
Answer: C
Explanation:
QUESTION 5
When asked about IT skills gaps, where does "Speak business language" fall in a list of concerns?
A. "Speak business language" would be helpful to improve, but not among the most critcal gaps.
B. The ranking varies depending on the industry and whether the business person is new in their job.
C. "Speak business language" is consistently mentioned as a top concern for IT professionals.
D. "Speak business language" is a very low priority but moving higher because business people
need to learn the terms for technologies like cloud.
Answer: C
Explanation:
Associated Certifications Cisco Enterprise IT Business Specialist
Duration 90 Minutes (60 - 70 questions)
Available Languages English
The 820-427 Building Business Specialist Skills exam tests a candidate's knowledge of skills to effectively discover opportunities for IT value, design, and ability to oversee development of business-focused solutions plus translate among business and IT language. These abilities are highly valued by IT and Line of Business leaders, as indicators than an IT professional has the expertise and influence to deliver superior business impacts.
This exam tests a candidate's knowledge of skills to effectively discover opportunities for IT value, design, and oversee development of business-focused solutions plus translate among business and IT language. These abilities are highly valued by IT and Line of Business leaders, as indicators that an IT professional has the expertise and influence to deliver superior business impacts. Candidates can prepare for this exam by taking the Building Business Specialist Skills course (BTBBSS).
The following topics are general guidelines for the content likely to be included on the exam. However, other related topics may also appear on any specific delivery of the exam. In order to better reflect the contents of the exam and for clarity purposes, the guidelines below may change at any time without notice.
1.0 Business Context 9%
1.1 Describe the purpose of an organization's vision, mission, strategy, objectives, and initiatives
1.2 Compare and contrast Critical Success Factors (CSFs) and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
1.3 Contrast strategy, management, and operations
1.4 Compare frameworks used across business and IT efforts
1.4.a Enterprise architecture (i.e., TOGAF, COBIT)
1.4.b Quality (i.e., Six Sigma)
1.4.c Service management (i.e., ITIL)
1.4.d Program management (i.e., MSP, MOP)
1.4.e Project management (i.e., PMBOK, Prince II, APMP)
2.0 Research Techniques and Tools 10%
2.1 Compare and contrast business-focused investigative techniques and tools (i.e., workshops, observation, primary research, questionnaires, interviews, focus groups)
2.2 Use and apply business-focused investigative techniques and tools
2.3 Apply technology discovery methods to gather information (i.e., usage patterns, external industry research papers, conferences, monitoring tools)
3.0 Business Analysis and Business Case 17%
3.1 Create a stakeholder map and conduct stakeholder analysis
3.2 Identify relevant business scenarios
3.3 Create an analysis of business capabilities
3.4 Construct gap analysis and document pain points/opportunities.
3.5 Identify elements of a cross-functional business diagram.
3.6 Describe the structure of a business case.
3.7 Create and verify the value proposition as the foundation of the business case.
3.8 Describe how to use a business case through the life cycle, to approval for investments
4.0 Technology and Trends 13%
4.1 Describe the as-is state: current services and how to optimize them for maximum value
4.2 Describe how technology impacts an organization's business capabilities
4.2.a Describe consequences of not changing outdated technologies
4.2.b Describe consequences of adopting emerging or new technologies
4.3 Identify the enterprise architecture taxonomy and how its components interrelate
4.4 Demonstrate ability to work with business and technology subject matter experts to research and assess options for technology improvement
4.5 Discover technology advances and explain how they impact business value
5.0 Technology Analysis 16%
5.1 Analyze business requirements to determine technology requirements
5.2 Identify existing technology capabilities
5.3 Formulate needed technology capabilities
5.4 Evaluate technology gaps
5.5 Compare possible technology solutions and map them to existing technology capabilities and stakeholder viewpoints
5.6 Formulate one or more recommendations based on possible technology solutions
5.7 Design a Proof of Concept and analyze the results
5.8 Employ techniques to align technology requirements with business capabilities
5.9 Evaluate potential internal and external technology solutions
5.9.a Analyze whether existing technology can be leveraged to solve business problems
5.9.b Provide technology requirements (domain knowledge) to include within RFIs/RFPs/RFQs
5.9.c Grade the responses to RFIs/RFPs/RFQs
5.9.d Assess considerations of different IT solution deployment strategies
5.10 Evaluate the non-financial impact of technologies, trends, and consumption models as they apply to business solutions
6.0 Finance Basics and Project Management 13%
6.1 Apply financial terms in the context of evaluating a simple business case
6.2 Describe and apply technology consumption and pricing models in a business context
6.2a Hardware
6.2b Software Licensing
6.2c Internal and external support and professional services
6.2d Cost of operations
6.2e Lifecycle management
6.2f Pay as you use models
6.2g CAPEX to OPEX
6.3 Describe implications of budgeting practices
6.3.a How budgets affect decisions within an organization
6.3.b Charge back, show back
6.3.c Project bundling
6.4 Describe how value is created and managed within an enterprise
6.4.a Defining Value
6.4.b Balancing risk versus rewards
6.4.c Approaches and influences on financial investment decisions
6.5 Develop portions of a financially justified business case, to answer key questions and support achievement of results
6.5.a Calculate return on the investment
6.5.b Compare against cost of capital
6.5.c Identify level of risk
6.5.d Define how the business cases helps in translating benefits into financial value
6.5.e Calculate ROI, Total cost of ownership, time to value, break-even point
6.6 Explain how project management helps to promote successful outcomes
6.7 Explain core principles, methods, and techniques for effectively managing projects
6.8 Describe how to influence a project implementation to ensure success
6.9 Demonstrate ability to perform risk analysis (financial, operational, and strategic)
6.10 Create a risk mitigation plan
7.0 Implementation and Adoption 10%
7.1 Demonstrate ability to work with delivery teams to ensure implementations meet requirements
7.2 Demonstrate ability to work with management team to plan for and ensure successful adoption of technology solutions
7.3 Collect metrics, analyze against KPIs and CSFs, and report back to senior management
7.4 Create the phased roadmap for implementation and adoption
7.5 Calculate the impact of technological change on people and processes
7.6 Demonstrate ability to incorporate IT change management best practice principles within a solution proposal
7.7 Construct requirements for adoption of IT solutions into the business
8.0 Communications and Influence 12%
8.1 Articulate technical information in a clear and concise manner
8.2 Apply core communication skills effectively
8.3 Demonstrate ability to deliver information effectively
8.3.a Vary communications level of detail, style, scope, by audience (i.e.one on one, group, executive)
8.3.b Align messages to the audience
QUESTION 1
What two statements correctly describe vision or mission? (Choose two.)
A. A mission is a statement of the purpose of a company.
B. A vision is what a company wants to become in the mid-term or long-term future.
C. A vision describes actions the organization will take to achieve specific goals.
D. A mission identifies the company's planned investments to increase revenue.
E. A vision is only used by for-profit companies.
F. A mission is only used by public sector organizations.
Answer: A,B
Explanation:
QUESTION 2
What two statements are true about Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)? (Choose two.)
A. A KPI is a quantifiable metric of the performance of essential operations and/or processes in an organization.
B. A KPI provides the focal point for identifying how much risk a company can take in trying to avoid government fines.
C. A KPI could reflect the performance of Service Providers in achieving their goals and objectives.
D. KPIs are based on judgment, and therefore should be used carefully when defining the value of a technology solution.
Answer: A,C
Explanation:
QUESTION 3
Which is a critical first step when thinking about how to communicate technical content to a senior business manager?
A. Identify a person on her staff who can explain details.
B. Listen to the customer to understand her KPIs.
C. Plan out your message to explain potential options.
D. Draft a high level message using language pulled from the top IT vendors.
Answer: B
Explanation:
QUESTION 4
Your company wants to increase sales by selling in new countries and by getting more repeat
orders and revenue from current customers. What is one technique that can help to communicate
how technology solutions can improve business outcomes?
A. Prepare a detailed cause and effect model.
B. Benchmark different technology solutions to identify the best mix of hardware and software.
C. Prepare a visual diagram showing the current business operation and possible future scenarios
with different technology solutions in place.
D. Create a document that has a summary of current problems followed by detailed descriptions of
technology features that reduce operating costs.
Answer: C
Explanation:
QUESTION 5
When asked about IT skills gaps, where does "Speak business language" fall in a list of concerns?
A. "Speak business language" would be helpful to improve, but not among the most critcal gaps.
B. The ranking varies depending on the industry and whether the business person is new in their job.
C. "Speak business language" is consistently mentioned as a top concern for IT professionals.
D. "Speak business language" is a very low priority but moving higher because business people
need to learn the terms for technologies like cloud.
Answer: C
Explanation:
