Assumptions and Constraints Analysis

Assumptions & Constraints Analysis: Complete Guide for PMI-PBA

Why Assumptions and Constraints Analysis Is Important

Assumptions and constraints analysis is a critical component of business analysis because it helps identify factors that can impact project success but are outside of direct control. This analysis:

• Provides clarity about project boundaries and limitations
• Helps identify potential risks early in the project lifecycle
• Creates a shared understanding among stakeholders about what is being presumed
• Establishes realistic expectations about what can be delivered
• Serves as a baseline for decision-making throughout the project

What Is Assumptions and Constraints Analysis?

Assumptions are factors that are considered to be true, real, or certain for planning purposes, even though conclusive evidence may not exist. Examples include:

• Resource availability ("We assume the development team will have 5 full-time members")
• Technical capabilities ("We assume the existing database can handle the increased load")
• Stakeholder participation ("We assume marketing will provide content by June 1st")

Constraints are limiting factors that affect how a project can be executed. Common constraints include:

• Budget limitations ("The project must be completed with the allocated $250,000")
• Schedule requirements ("The solution must launch before the holiday season")
• Technical restrictions ("The solution must work with our legacy systems")
• Regulatory compliance ("The solution must comply with GDPR requirements")

How Assumptions and Constraints Analysis Works

1. Identification Process:
• Review project documentation
• Interview stakeholders
• Examine historical information from similar projects
• Conduct brainstorming sessions
• Analyze requirements and objectives

2. Documentation:
• Record each assumption and constraint in a register
• Include source, impact, and verification approach
• Link to affected requirements or deliverables

3. Validation:
• Test assumptions when possible
• Verify constraints with appropriate stakeholders
• Update as more information becomes available

4. Monitoring:
• Regularly review assumptions for continued validity
• Assess if constraints have changed
• Communicate changes to stakeholders

Relationship to Business Case Development

Assumptions and constraints directly influence the business case by:

• Setting boundaries for solution options
• Defining conditions under which benefits can be realized
• Impacting cost and timeline estimations
• Affecting risk assessments
• Influencing the feasibility of achieving business objectives

A business case built on unrealistic assumptions or that fails to acknowledge key constraints is likely to be fundamentally flawed.

Exam Tips: Answering Questions on Assumptions and Constraints Analysis

Recognize the Difference:
• Assumptions are factors believed to be true but not yet proven
• Constraints are limiting factors that restrict options
• Questions may test if you can differentiate between these concepts

Understand Their Impact:
• Be prepared to identify how assumptions and constraints affect different aspects of the project
• Know how they influence requirements, solution design, and implementation

Remember the Process:
• Questions may ask about the steps for identifying, documenting, and validating assumptions/constraints
• Know which techniques are most appropriate for different situations

Connect to Other Knowledge Areas:
• Be ready to link assumptions/constraints to risk management
• Understand how they relate to stakeholder engagement and requirements validation

Application Questions:
• Expect scenario-based questions that ask you to identify assumptions or constraints in a given situation
• Practice analyzing case studies to identify implicit assumptions/constraints

Question Strategy:
• For questions asking about assumptions/constraints, look for answers that acknowledge uncertainty (assumptions) or limitations (constraints)
• Pay attention to the context - what might be an assumption in one scenario could be a constraint in another
• When in doubt about an answer choice, evaluate which category it fits into best

Common Exam Question Patterns

1. Identification questions: "Which of the following is an example of an assumption rather than a constraint?"
2. Impact questions: "If an assumption about user adoption proves false, what would be the most appropriate business analysis response?"
3. Process questions: "At what point in the business analysis process should assumptions be documented?"
4. Integration questions: "How should assumptions and constraints be incorporated into the business case?"
5. Validation questions: "What is the most effective way to validate an assumption about market conditions?"
When answering PMI-PBA exam questions on this topic, always consider the perspective of the business analyst and focus on how proper assumptions and constraints analysis contributes to project success and business value realization.