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CISA Practice Question: A project manager is selecting a development…
A project manager is selecting a development methodology for a project with well-defined requirements and low uncertainty. Which methodology is most appropriate?
⚠ Common exam trap
Watch out — candidates often assume Agile is always the 'modern' or 'best' choice, but the CISA exam tests the principle that methodology selection must match project characteristics—specifically, Waterfall is optimal when requirements are fixed and uncertainty is low, not when adaptability is needed.
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
✓
Waterfall
Waterfall is the most appropriate methodology for projects with well-defined requirements and low uncertainty because it follows a linear, sequential approach where each phase (requirements, design, implementation, verification, maintenance) must be completed before the next begins. This structure minimizes risk when requirements are stable and unlikely to change, ensuring thorough documentation and predictable outcomes. In contrast, iterative or adaptive methods would introduce unnecessary complexity and overhead for such a deterministic project.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Waterfall
Why this is correct
Waterfall works well with well-defined, stable requirements and low uncertainty.
- ✗
Agile
Why it's wrong here
Agile is best for evolving requirements, not well-defined ones.
- ✗
Rapid Application Development (RAD)
Why it's wrong here
RAD is for time-boxed projects with heavy user involvement, not necessarily well-defined requirements.
- ✗
Spiral
Why it's wrong here
Spiral is suitable for high-risk projects, not low uncertainty.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This CISA practice question is part of Courseiva's free ISACA 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 CISA exam.