220-1102 Operational Procedures Practice Question
A technician is following the CompTIA A+ troubleshooting methodology to resolve a network connectivity issue. After testing the theory and determining a probable cause, what is the NEXT step the technician should perform?
⚠ Common exam trap
It's easy for candidates to confuse the order of the later steps, mistakenly selecting 'Verify full system functionality' (Option B) immediately after determining the cause, when in fact the solution must be planned and implemented before verification can occur.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Establish a plan of action to resolve the problem and implement the solution
After testing the theory and determining a probable cause, the CompTIA A+ troubleshooting methodology dictates that the next step is to establish a plan of action to resolve the problem and implement the solution. This step bridges the gap between identifying the root cause (e.g., a misconfigured DHCP scope or a faulty NIC driver) and actually applying the fix, such as renewing the IP lease via ipconfig /renew or updating the driver. Skipping this step would risk implementing an unverified or incomplete solution, which could introduce new issues.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Establish a plan of action to resolve the problem and implement the solution
Why this is correct
After forming and testing a theory of probable cause, the next action in the CompTIA A+ troubleshooting model is to establish a plan of action and implement it. This step requires considering potential side effects, obtaining necessary approvals if needed, and then carefully executing the fix. It is the fourth step in the six-step process, bridging the gap between diagnosis and solution delivery.
- ✗
Verify full system functionality
Why it's wrong here
Verifying full system functionality is a later phase, specifically the fifth step in the CompTIA methodology, performed after the solution has been implemented. At this point, you confirm that the original issue is resolved and that no new problems have been introduced elsewhere. It is not performed immediately after testing the theory, because a plan and implementation must occur first.
- ✗
Document findings, actions, and outcomes
Why it's wrong here
Documenting findings, actions, and outcomes is the final, sixth step in the troubleshooting process, occurring after you have verified the solution and ensured everything works. This step creates a knowledge base record for future reference, helping technicians handle similar issues efficiently. It cannot be done before implementation and verification, as you would not yet have recorded the actual resolution.
- ✗
Implement preventative measures
Why it's wrong here
Implementing preventative measures is associated with the verification step, where you also take actions to avoid recurrence—such as updating security policies, installing patches, or recommending user training. It is not a separate step that directly follows theory testing; rather, it is folded into step five (verify functionality and implement preventative measures). Therefore, choosing this option skips the essential planning and implementation phase that must come first.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 220-1102 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 220-1102 exam.