220-1102 Operational Procedures Practice Question
A technician is preparing a change request to update the firmware on a critical file server. The update is known to potentially cause incompatibility with a custom internal application. According to change management best practices, which of the following must the technician include in the change request?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many candidates confuse 'who is affected' (option C) as the most critical element, but CompTIA emphasizes that risk mitigation through a documented backout plan is the highest priority in change management, especially for high-impact changes like firmware updates.
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
✓
A backout/rollback plan
Change management best practices require a backout/rollback plan for any change that carries significant risk, such as a firmware update known to cause incompatibility with a custom application. This plan ensures the server can be restored to its previous state if the update fails or breaks the application, minimizing downtime and data loss. Without a rollback strategy, the technician would be unable to reverse the change safely, violating the core principle of risk mitigation in change management.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
A schedule for the update during normal business hours
Why it's wrong here
Scheduling the firmware update during normal business hours only addresses when the change occurs, not what happens if the update fails. Even with a convenient maintenance window, a firmware incompatibility with the custom application could still render the system unavailable, and without a documented rollback procedure the organization faces extended downtime. The change request therefore needs a recovery-oriented plan rather than a timing preference.
- ✓
A backout/rollback plan
Why this is correct
A backout/rollback plan is the correct inclusion because it explicitly documents the steps to restore the previous firmware version in the event of a failed update or post-update instability. This plan directly mitigates the known risk of incompatibility with the custom application by providing a tested, rapid path to return to the last known good state, which is a fundamental requirement for any high-impact change. It ensures business continuity and minimizes the mean time to recovery (MTTR) during an unexpected failure.
- ✗
A list of users who will be affected
Why it's wrong here
Listing affected users supports communication and awareness, but it does nothing to prevent or recover from a failed firmware update. If the update causes the custom application to malfunction, the user list cannot restore system functionality or reduce the technical impact. While user notification is a courtesy, the change request must prioritize a technical contingency plan over an administrative convenience.
- ✗
An approval from the custom application vendor
Why it's wrong here
Approval from the custom application vendor may provide useful compatibility insights, but it is not a guarantee of success and is often impractical due to vendor availability or contractual limitations. The onus for handling a failed update rests with the internal IT team, which must have a defined rollback strategy. Vendor sign-off does not substitute for a concrete technical plan that addresses the specific risk of firmware incompatibility.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Linux Users and File Permissions
Key term
Firmware update
A firmware update is a process that replaces or patches the permanent software programmed into a hardware device to fix bugs, patch security vulnerabilities, or add new features.
Key term
Change management
Change management is the structured process of planning, approving, implementing, and reviewing changes to IT systems to minimize risk and disruption.
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Same concept, more angles
1 more way this is tested on 220-1102
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A technician is preparing a change request to upgrade the operating system on a file server that is currently running Windows Server 2016 to Windows Server 2022. Which of the following elements is MOST important to include in the change request to minimize the risk of a failed implementation?
medium- A.A list of all users who access the file server
- ✓ B.A detailed backout plan
- C.The results of a successful test in a lab environment
- D.The approval signature from the Change Advisory Board (CAB)
Why B: A detailed backout plan is the most critical element because it provides a step-by-step procedure to revert the server to its original Windows Server 2016 state if the upgrade fails or causes unexpected issues. Without a backout plan, a failed upgrade could leave the file server in a non-functional state, causing prolonged downtime and data inaccessibility. This aligns with change management best practices that prioritize risk mitigation through defined rollback procedures.
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.