- A
Availability of skilled developers to maintain the custom solution
Why wrong: This is relevant for custom development but not the most important when evaluating COTS.
- B
User training requirements for the new system
Why wrong: Training is manageable and not a primary decision factor compared to long-term vendor dependence.
- C
Total cost of ownership including maintenance and licensing
Why wrong: While important, cost is not the most critical risk compared to vendor dependency, which can have broader strategic implications.
- D
The degree of vendor dependency and ability to customize
Vendor lock-in can limit future options and increase costs if the vendor changes terms or goes out of business.
Question 113 of 1,000
Information Systems Acquisition, Development, and Implementation →hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
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.
An organization is deciding between developing a custom application and purchasing a commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) product. The project manager favors a COTS solution because it offers faster deployment. Which of the following is the MOST important consideration for the IS auditor to evaluate in this build vs. buy decision?
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
✓
The degree of vendor dependency and ability to customize
Vendor dependency is a critical risk in COTS acquisitions. The organization may become reliant on the vendor for updates, support, and customizations, which can affect long-term flexibility and costs.
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.
- ✗
Availability of skilled developers to maintain the custom solution
Why it's wrong here
This is relevant for custom development but not the most important when evaluating COTS.
- ✗
User training requirements for the new system
Why it's wrong here
Training is manageable and not a primary decision factor compared to long-term vendor dependence.
- ✗
Total cost of ownership including maintenance and licensing
Why it's wrong here
While important, cost is not the most critical risk compared to vendor dependency, which can have broader strategic implications.
- ✓
The degree of vendor dependency and ability to customize
Why this is correct
Vendor lock-in can limit future options and increase costs if the vendor changes terms or goes out of business.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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.
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.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CISA question test?
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: The degree of vendor dependency and ability to customize — Vendor dependency is a critical risk in COTS acquisitions. The organization may become reliant on the vendor for updates, support, and customizations, which can affect long-term flexibility and costs.
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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.
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