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CISA Practice Question: Is transitioning from a waterfall to an agile…
An organization is transitioning from a waterfall to an agile development methodology. Which of the following is a key risk that the IS auditor should highlight?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is that candidates mistakenly think agile eliminates scope creep entirely, when in fact its flexibility requires even stronger controls to prevent uncontrolled expansion, especially during the transition from waterfall.
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
✓
Scope creep may increase without proper controls.
In agile development, iterative cycles and continuous feedback can lead to scope creep if changes are not managed through a disciplined backlog prioritization process. Unlike waterfall, where scope is fixed early, agile's flexibility requires robust controls (e.g., sprint boundaries, product owner authority) to prevent uncontrolled expansion. An IS auditor should highlight this risk because without proper governance, the project may exceed budget and timeline despite agile's adaptive nature.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
User requirements may be incomplete at the start.
Why it's wrong here
Incomplete requirements are a common waterfall risk, but agile embraces evolving requirements.
- ✗
Testing is deferred until the end of the project.
Why it's wrong here
Agile involves continuous testing, so this is not a risk.
- ✗
Stakeholder involvement may decrease.
Why it's wrong here
Agile requires constant stakeholder feedback, so involvement increases.
- ✓
Scope creep may increase without proper controls.
Why this is correct
Agile's iterative nature can lead to uncontrolled scope expansion if not managed.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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