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CISA Practice Question: An IS auditor is reviewing a system development…
An IS auditor is reviewing a system development project to assess whether it is on schedule. Which of the following would provide the BEST evidence of project progress against the planned timeline?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many candidates confuse evidence of technical progress (like passing unit tests) with evidence of schedule progress, failing to recognize that technical success does not equate to on-time delivery.
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
✓
Updated project schedule with actual completion dates for milestones
The updated project schedule with actual completion dates for milestones (Option D) provides direct, objective evidence of progress against the planned timeline. It shows the baseline plan, the actual dates work was completed, and the variance, allowing the IS auditor to quantitatively assess schedule adherence. This is the primary artifact for schedule tracking in system development projects.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Minutes from status review meetings
Why it's wrong here
Meeting minutes record discussion and attendance, not verified milestone completion against planned dates. They suit evidencing governance and issue escalation. Schedule assessment requires comparing actual milestone completion dates with the baseline project plan, which minutes may misreport.
- ✗
Approved requirements document
Why it's wrong here
An approved requirements document evidences scope definition and sign-off, not progress against planned dates. It is the correct artefact when verifying that requirements were captured and authorised. Schedule assessment requires comparing actual milestone completion dates with the baseline project plan.
- ✗
Successful unit test results
Why it's wrong here
Unit test results evidence code quality and completion of coding tasks, not elapsed progress against planned dates. They are the right evidence when assessing whether modules function correctly. Schedule assessment requires comparing actual milestone completion dates with the baseline project plan.
- ✓
Updated project schedule with actual completion dates for milestones
Why this is correct
A schedule showing planned milestones alongside actual completion dates lets the auditor compare baseline against reality and compute slippage directly. It is objective, verifiable evidence of timeline performance, unlike verbal updates or forecasts that merely restate intentions.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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