According to the BABOK Guide, the task of validating requirements involves ensuring that the requirements and designs support the delivery of value, fulfill the stakeholder needs, and meet the quality standards1. This task requires the involvement of all the stakeholders who have an interest or influence on the solution or the business need, as they are the ones who can provide feedback, approval, and acceptance of the requirements and designs2. Therefore, the correct answer is A. All of the stakeholders, including executives, functional managers, directors, end users, and customers, are involved in the requirements validation activities.
The other options are not correct, as they exclude some of the stakeholders who are also involved in the requirements validation activities:
B. Functional management: Functional management is the person or group who has authority and responsibility for managing a specific business function or department3. Functional management is involved in the requirements validation activities, as they can provide input on the functional requirements, the business processes, and the organizational impacts of the solution2. However, functional management is not the only stakeholder involved in the requirements validation activities, as other stakeholders also have a role to play.
C. Executives: Executives are the person or group who has the ultimate authority and accountability for the organization or a part of it3. Executives are involved in the requirements validation activities, as they can provide input on the strategic alignment, the business objectives, the expected benefits, and the high-level scope of the solution2. However, executives are not the only stakeholder involved in the requirements validation activities, as other stakeholders also have a role to play.
D. Customers: Customers are the person or group who consumes or benefits from the products or services delivered by the solution3. Customers are involved in the requirements validation activities, as they can provide input on the customer needs, expectations, preferences, and satisfaction of the solution2. However, customers are not the only stakeholder involved in the requirements validation activities, as other stakeholders also have a role to play. References:
1: BABOK Guide, section 4.6 Validate Requirements, page 122
2: CBAP/CCBA Certified Business Analysis Study Guide, 2nd Edition, by Susan Weese and Terri Wagner, Wiley, 2011, page 169-170
3: BABOK Guide, section 3.8 Glossary, page 516-524
