The best action when requirements change significantly after design in a waterfall model is to update the requirements and proceed with the design revision. This is correct because the waterfall model is a sequential, phase-gated methodology where each phase depends on the deliverables of the previous one; when requirements shift after design, the only viable path is to formally revise the requirements document and rework the design accordingly, accepting the cost of rework to maintain alignment with stakeholder needs. On the Certified Information Systems Auditor CISA exam, this question tests your understanding of change management within rigid SDLC frameworks, often appearing as a trap where candidates choose to continue with outdated requirements (wasteful) or prematurely switch to agile (disruptive). A common memory tip is “waterfall flows forward, so revise before you dive”—once design is done, you must update the requirements and re-enter the design phase, not skip steps or abandon the model.
CISA Practice Question: Information Systems Acquisition, Development and Implementation
This CISA practice question tests your understanding of information systems acquisition, development and implementation. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 project uses a waterfall model. After design, the team discovers that the requirements have changed significantly. What is the BEST action?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "best"
Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Update the requirements and proceed with the design revision
Option B is correct because in a waterfall model, the most practical approach is to update the requirements and proceed to incorporate the changes, accepting some rework. Continuing with outdated requirements (A) leads to an irrelevant product; switching to agile mid-project (C) may cause process disruption; canceling (D) is drastic unless changes are infeasible.
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.
✗
Cancel the project and start over
Why it's wrong here
Cancellation is an extreme measure; other options should be explored first.
✓
Update the requirements and proceed with the design revision
Why this is correct
Updating requirements and adjusting design is necessary to ensure the final product aligns with current needs.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Continue with original requirements as planned
Why it's wrong here
Ignoring significant changes will result in a system that does not meet business needs.
✗
Switch to an agile methodology for the remainder of the project
Why it's wrong here
Abruptly changing methodology can cause confusion and may not be feasible given project constraints.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Trap categories for this question
Similar concept trap
Abruptly changing methodology can cause confusion and may not be feasible given project constraints.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→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 practitioner preparing for the CISA exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which CISA exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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: Update the requirements and proceed with the design revision — Option B is correct because in a waterfall model, the most practical approach is to update the requirements and proceed to incorporate the changes, accepting some rework. Continuing with outdated requirements (A) leads to an irrelevant product; switching to agile mid-project (C) may cause process disruption; canceling (D) is drastic unless changes are infeasible.
What should I do if I get this CISA question wrong?
Identify which CISA exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
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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