The answer is to conduct a thorough root cause analysis of the synchronization issue before any further roll-out. This is correct because intermittent synchronization errors in a distributed ERP architecture signal a potential data integrity or consistency flaw that, if left unresolved, will propagate to new regions and cause widespread corruption. The technical concept at stake is that a post-implementation review root cause analysis must prioritize understanding systemic defects—such as network latency, transaction log replication failures, or database conflict resolution—over project timelines. On the CISA exam, this scenario tests your ability to apply risk-based auditing principles: the sponsor’s pressure to proceed is a classic trap that tempts you to accept operational risk for schedule gains. Remember the memory tip: “Sync first, scale second”—never expand a faulty foundation, or the cracks will follow.
CISA Practice Question: Information Systems Acquisition, Development and Implementation
This CISA practice question tests your understanding of information systems acquisition, development and implementation. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A multinational corporation is implementing a new enterprise resource planning (ERP) system across multiple regions. The project uses a phased roll-out. After the first phase in Asia, the system experiences intermittent synchronization errors between the central database and regional servers. The IT team suspects network latency but cannot reproduce the issue consistently. The project sponsor wants to proceed with the next phase in Europe to avoid further delays. The IS auditor is performing a post-implementation review. What is the MOST appropriate recommendation?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "first"
Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Conduct a thorough root cause analysis of the synchronization issue before any further roll-out.
Option C is correct because the intermittent synchronization errors indicate a potential data integrity or consistency issue that must be fully understood before expanding the system's footprint. Proceeding without root cause analysis risks propagating the defect to the European phase, which could lead to widespread data corruption, increased remediation costs, and regulatory non-compliance. A thorough root cause analysis (e.g., examining network latency, transaction log replication, or database conflict resolution) is essential to ensure the ERP's distributed architecture is reliable.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Proceed with the European roll-out and monitor for similar issues.
Why it's wrong here
Risk of propagating unknown problem.
✗
Switch to a different ERP vendor that offers better cloud capabilities.
Why it's wrong here
Too extreme and costly.
✓
Conduct a thorough root cause analysis of the synchronization issue before any further roll-out.
Why this is correct
Prevent recurrence and identify systemic issues.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Document the synchronization error as a known issue and accept the operational risk.
Why it's wrong here
Does not address the underlying cause.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may choose Option A (proceed and monitor) because it seems pragmatic and avoids project delays, but the CISA exam emphasizes that unresolved control weaknesses in a post-implementation review must be addressed before expanding the system to prevent cascading failures.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In distributed ERP systems, synchronization errors often stem from misconfigured database replication mechanisms (e.g., asynchronous replication with insufficient timeout thresholds or conflict resolution policies). Network latency can cause transaction log shipping delays, leading to phantom reads or lost updates if the system lacks proper two-phase commit or compensating transactions. A root cause analysis should include packet-level analysis (e.g., using Wireshark to measure round-trip time and packet loss) and review of the ERP's synchronization logs to identify whether the issue is due to network, application, or database configuration.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Information Systems Acquisition, Development and Implementation — This question tests Information Systems Acquisition, Development and Implementation — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Conduct a thorough root cause analysis of the synchronization issue before any further roll-out. — Option C is correct because the intermittent synchronization errors indicate a potential data integrity or consistency issue that must be fully understood before expanding the system's footprint. Proceeding without root cause analysis risks propagating the defect to the European phase, which could lead to widespread data corruption, increased remediation costs, and regulatory non-compliance. A thorough root cause analysis (e.g., examining network latency, transaction log replication, or database conflict resolution) is essential to ensure the ERP's distributed architecture is reliable.
What should I do if I get this CISA question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "first". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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