220-1102 Operational Procedures Practice Question
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?
⚠ Common exam trap
A common mix-up: candidates choose the lab test result (Option C) because it seems proactive and technically sound, but they overlook that a backout plan is the mandatory safety net required by change management frameworks to handle production failures that cannot be predicted by lab testing alone.
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 detailed backout plan
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.
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 list of all users who access the file server
Why it's wrong here
A list of all users who access the file server identifies the affected stakeholders but provides no technical information about the server's baseline configuration, data integrity, or restoration procedures. While notifying users is a courtesy and part of communication management, it does not reduce the risk of the OS upgrade failing or offer a recovery path if the upgrade corrupts the system state. To mitigate risk, the change request must include a backout plan that reverts the server to a known-good snapshot or backup, which is the true risk-reduction element.
- ✓
A detailed backout plan
Why this is correct
A detailed backout plan specifies the exact steps to restore the file server to its pre-upgrade state, including verifying full system and data backups, documenting the rollback procedure (e.g., restoring from a snapshot or reinstalling the previous OS version), and defining the criteria that trigger the rollback. This plan directly limits the blast radius of an unsuccessful upgrade by providing a tested, time-bound recovery path, ensuring the file server's availability is restored quickly. Without a backout plan, even a minor upgrade failure can escalate into an extended outage, making it the most critical risk mitigation component in the change request.
- ✗
The results of a successful test in a lab environment
Why it's wrong here
Testing in a lab is valuable and should be done before the change, but the change request itself must include a backout plan as a safety net. The test results help justify the change but do not directly mitigate risk during implementation.
- ✗
The approval signature from the Change Advisory Board (CAB)
Why it's wrong here
CAB approval is a required step for many changes, but it is part of the authorization process, not a risk mitigation element. A backout plan is the key component that reduces the impact of potential failure.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Safety Procedures and Environmental Controls
Key term
Risk mitigation
Risk mitigation is the process of reducing the likelihood or impact of a potential security threat to an acceptable level through specific controls and actions.
Key term
Windows
Windows is a family of operating systems developed by Microsoft that manages computer hardware and software, providing a graphical user interface for users to interact with their devices.
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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.