IIBA Exam CBDA Topic 3 Question 25 Discussion

Actual exam question for IIBA's CBDA exam

Question #: 25
Topic #: 3

An operations manager for a new hotel is in need of determining the optimum number of vans to purchase to shuttle guests to/from the airport. It will be necessary to determine the most efficient routes and schedule to follow to ensure guests do not experience excessive delays. Which business analytics technique would lend itself to supporting these types of business decisions?

ALinear programming

BFactor analysis

CRegression

DK-means Clustering
Explanation:
Linear programming is a business analytics technique that can lend itself to supporting these types of business decisions.Linear programming is a mathematical method that optimizes the allocation of limited resources to achieve a desired objective, subject to a set of constraints1.Linear programming can help the operations manager to determine the optimum number of vans to purchase, the most efficient routes and schedule to follow, and the minimum cost or time to shuttle guests to/from the airport, by formulating a linear objective function and a system of linear inequalities that represent the relevant variables, parameters, and restrictions2.
The other options are not correct business analytics techniques for these types of business decisions.Factor analysis is a statistical method that reduces the dimensionality of a large set of correlated variables into a smaller set of uncorrelated factors that explain the underlying structure or patterns of the data3. Factor analysis can help the operations manager to identify the key factors that influence the guest satisfaction or loyalty, but it cannot help to optimize the resource allocation or efficiency. Regression is a statistical method that estimates the relationship between one or more independent variables and a dependent variable. Regression can help the operations manager to predict the demand or revenue of the hotel based on the variables such as season, price, or location, but it cannot help to optimize the resource allocation or efficiency. K-means clustering is a machine learning method that partitions a set of data points into a predefined number of clusters based on the similarity or distance between the data points.K-means clustering can help the operations manager to segment the guests into different groups based on their characteristics or preferences, but it cannot help to optimize the resource allocation or efficiency.

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by Lisbeth at Sep 18, 2024, 04:40 PM

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Shaquana

2 months ago

This question is a real van-tastic opportunity to show off my knowledge of business analytics! Linear programming is the way to go - it's the shuttle-ing solution the operations manager needs.

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2 months ago

Hmm, I was thinking regression might work, but after reading the explanation, I can see how linear programming is the more appropriate technique. Gotta love those constrained optimization problems!

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Adaline

2 months ago

I agree, linear programming can help the operations manager determine the optimum number of vans and the most efficient routes to shuttle guests.

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Kanisha

2 months ago

Yeah, regression is more for predicting demand or revenue, while linear programming is all about finding the best solution with constraints.

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Arlene

2 months ago

Linear programming is definitely the way to go for optimizing resource allocation and efficiency.

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3 months ago

Linear programming seems like the way to go for this problem. It can help optimize the shuttle service and minimize costs - that's exactly what the operations manager needs.

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Marge

2 months ago

Zack: Exactly, it's the perfect business analytics technique for the operations manager to use in this situation.

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Truman

2 months ago

Linear programming can help determine the optimum number of vans to purchase and the most efficient routes to follow.

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Zack

2 months ago

It's a mathematical method that can allocate resources efficiently to achieve the desired objective.

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Bettye

2 months ago

I agree, linear programming can definitely help optimize the shuttle service and minimize costs.

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