Information Systems Acquisition, Development, and Implementation →mediumMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
CISA Practice Question: Information Systems Acquisition, Development, and Implementation
An organization is considering whether to build a custom application or purchase a commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) product. Which of the following factors is MOST important when deciding to build rather than buy?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is that candidates often prioritize lower initial cost or faster time to market, failing to recognize that if the required functionality does not exist in the market, those benefits are irrelevant because the COTS product cannot fulfill the core business need.
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
✓
Need for highly specialized functionality not available in the market
When an organization requires highly specialized functionality that is not available in any commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) product, building a custom application becomes the only viable option. COTS products are designed for broad market needs and often lack the unique features or compliance requirements that a custom solution can provide. This factor overrides cost, time, and maintenance considerations because no amount of configuration or customization of a COTS product can meet the specific functional gap.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Reduced need for ongoing maintenance
Why it's wrong here
Building typically increases maintenance burden.
- ✗
Faster time to market
Why it's wrong here
Buying is usually faster.
- ✗
Lower initial cost
Why it's wrong here
Buying often has lower initial cost, but that favors buying, not building.
- ✓
Need for highly specialized functionality not available in the market
Why this is correct
Unique requirements may justify building.
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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.