hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
CISA Is developing a custom application Practice Question
An organization is developing a custom application. The project manager reports that the development team has implemented 80% of the features but only 50% of the budget is used. What is the MOST significant risk from an IS audit perspective?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is that candidates focus on the immediate budget concern (Option C) rather than recognizing that the 80% features with 50% budget indicates scope growth is the root cause of potential budget overrun, which is the most significant audit risk.
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 project may exceed the total budget due to scope growth.
The project has consumed only 50% of the budget while delivering 80% of the features, indicating a high probability of scope growth or feature creep. From an IS audit perspective, this imbalance suggests that additional features may be added without corresponding budget increases, leading to total budget overrun. The risk is that the remaining 20% of features will require more than the remaining 50% of the budget, especially if testing and deployment costs are underestimated.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The project may be completed ahead of schedule.
Why it's wrong here
Ahead of schedule is positive, not a risk.
- ✗
The application may not meet user requirements.
Why it's wrong here
This is possible but not the most significant risk given the budget v completion.
- ✗
The remaining budget may be insufficient for testing and deployment.
Why it's wrong here
Testing and deployment costs are typically a fraction of development.
- ✓
The project may exceed the total budget due to scope growth.
Why this is correct
The mismatch indicates potential cost overrun if remaining features require more budget.
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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.