Quick Answer
The answer is a realistic project schedule with milestones. This is the best method to ensure project completion on time because it establishes a time-phased baseline with measurable checkpoints, allowing project managers to detect delays early and take corrective action before the schedule slips irreparably. Without a realistic schedule, even the most rigorous tracking tools or status meetings cannot prevent overruns, as the schedule itself is the foundation for monitoring and controlling progress. On the CISA exam, this concept tests your understanding of project management controls within the Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC); a common trap is choosing “frequent status meetings” or “earned value management” as the best method, but these are only effective if anchored to a realistic baseline. Remember the memory tip: “No baseline, no control—milestones make delays visible.”
This CISA practice question tests your understanding of information systems acquisition, development and implementation. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.
Which of the following is the BEST method to ensure that a system development project is completed on time?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "best"
Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Regular status meetings
Why wrong: Meetings help communication but do not ensure timeliness.
A realistic project schedule with milestones
A realistic schedule with milestones provides a clear plan and tracking.
Frequent scope changes
Why wrong: Scope changes typically cause delays.
Use of a project management software
Why wrong: Software is a tool, not a method to ensure timeliness.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
A realistic project schedule with milestones
A realistic project schedule with milestones (Option B) is the best method because it establishes a time-phased plan with measurable checkpoints, enabling early detection of delays and facilitating proactive corrective actions. Without a realistic baseline, even the best tracking tools or meetings cannot prevent schedule overruns, as the schedule itself is the foundation for monitoring and controlling project progress.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Regular status meetings
Why it's wrong here
Meetings help communication but do not ensure timeliness.
A realistic project schedule with milestones
Why this is correct
A realistic schedule with milestones provides a clear plan and tracking.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Frequent scope changes
Why it's wrong here
Scope changes typically cause delays.
Use of a project management software
Why it's wrong here
Software is a tool, not a method to ensure timeliness.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates often confuse project management tools or meetings with the fundamental planning artifact (the schedule) that actually drives on-time delivery, leading them to select a supporting activity (like status meetings or software) instead of the core control mechanism.
Detailed technical explanation
A realistic project schedule is built using techniques like Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) decomposition, critical path method (CPM) analysis, and three-point estimation (PERT) to account for task dependencies and uncertainty. Milestones serve as control gates where deliverables are formally reviewed, allowing the project manager to apply earned value management (EVM) metrics (e.g., SPI, CPI) to objectively measure schedule performance and forecast completion dates. In practice, a schedule that ignores resource leveling or fails to incorporate buffer time for high-risk tasks will inevitably slip, regardless of how many meetings or tools are used.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Information Systems Acquisition, Development and Implementation — This question tests Information Systems Acquisition, Development and Implementation — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: A realistic project schedule with milestones — A realistic project schedule with milestones (Option B) is the best method because it establishes a time-phased plan with measurable checkpoints, enabling early detection of delays and facilitating proactive corrective actions. Without a realistic baseline, even the best tracking tools or meetings cannot prevent schedule overruns, as the schedule itself is the foundation for monitoring and controlling project progress.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 25, 2026
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