- A
Deploy the system to production
Why wrong: Deployment occurs after multiple iterations, not immediately after risk analysis and prototyping.
- B
Obtain formal sign-off from the business owner on requirements
Why wrong: Requirements are defined earlier and may evolve; formal sign-off is more typical of waterfall.
- C
Develop the next level of the product based on the risk analysis
In the spiral model, after risk analysis, the team proceeds to develop the next level of the product (e.g., a more refined prototype or increment).
- D
Conduct user acceptance testing (UAT)
Why wrong: UAT occurs later, after development and testing, not immediately after risk analysis and prototyping.
Question 715 of 984
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.
During a spiral SDLC project, the project team has completed a risk analysis and created a prototype. What is the most likely next step in the spiral model?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"most likely"Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
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
✓
Develop the next level of the product based on the risk analysis
In the spiral model, each iteration begins with identifying objectives, evaluating alternatives, and resolving risks through risk analysis. After completing risk analysis and building a prototype, the next step is to develop the next level of the product, incorporating the risk analysis findings to refine requirements and design. This ensures that high-risk areas are addressed incrementally before proceeding to subsequent phases.
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.
- ✗
Deploy the system to production
Why it's wrong here
Deployment occurs after multiple iterations, not immediately after risk analysis and prototyping.
- ✗
Obtain formal sign-off from the business owner on requirements
Why it's wrong here
Requirements are defined earlier and may evolve; formal sign-off is more typical of waterfall.
- ✓
Develop the next level of the product based on the risk analysis
Why this is correct
In the spiral model, after risk analysis, the team proceeds to develop the next level of the product (e.g., a more refined prototype or increment).
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Conduct user acceptance testing (UAT)
Why it's wrong here
UAT occurs later, after development and testing, not immediately after risk analysis and prototyping.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse the spiral model's iterative prototyping with a linear waterfall approach, mistakenly thinking that a prototype leads directly to deployment or formal sign-off, rather than understanding that the spiral model uses risk-driven iteration to progressively refine the product.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The spiral model, defined by Barry Boehm, uses iterative cycles (spirals) where each loop includes four quadrants: determine objectives, identify and resolve risks, develop and test, and plan the next iteration. The risk analysis step often involves creating prototypes to mitigate uncertainties, and the subsequent development step builds upon the validated prototype to produce a more complete version of the system. This approach is particularly effective for large, complex projects where risks must be managed continuously, such as in defense or aerospace systems.
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.
TExam Day Tips
- 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.
Visual reference
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
- →
Information Systems Acquisition, Development, and Implementation — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Information Systems Acquisition, Development, and Implementation practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All CISA questions
984 questions across all exam domains
- →
Certified Information Systems Auditor CISA study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
CISA practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related CISA practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Governance and Management of IT practice questions
Practise CISA questions linked to Governance and Management of IT.
Information Systems Acquisition, Development and Implementation practice questions
Practise CISA questions linked to Information Systems Acquisition, Development and Implementation.
Information Systems Operations and Business Resilience practice questions
Practise CISA questions linked to Information Systems Operations and Business Resilience.
Information System Auditing Process practice questions
Practise CISA questions linked to Information System Auditing Process.
Information Systems Acquisition, Development, and Implementation practice questions
Practise CISA questions linked to Information Systems Acquisition, Development, and Implementation.
Protection of Information Assets practice questions
Practise CISA questions linked to Protection of Information Assets.
CISA fundamentals practice questions
Practise CISA questions linked to CISA fundamentals.
CISA scenario practice questions
Practise CISA questions linked to CISA scenario.
CISA troubleshooting practice questions
Practise CISA questions linked to CISA troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Start a free CISA practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
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: Develop the next level of the product based on the risk analysis — In the spiral model, each iteration begins with identifying objectives, evaluating alternatives, and resolving risks through risk analysis. After completing risk analysis and building a prototype, the next step is to develop the next level of the product, incorporating the risk analysis findings to refine requirements and design. This ensures that high-risk areas are addressed incrementally before proceeding to subsequent phases.
What should I do if I get this CISA question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.