- A
Increased vendor lock-in
Why wrong: Customizations may make it harder to switch vendors, but upgrade issues are more direct.
- B
Simpler data migration
Why wrong: Customization does not simplify data migration.
- C
Reduced user acceptance
Why wrong: Customization may improve user acceptance.
- D
Higher costs for future upgrades
Custom code must be adapted for each new version.
Question 663 of 984
Information Systems Acquisition, Development, and Implementation →mediumMultiple 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. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 an ERP implementation, the project team decides to customize the software to align with existing business processes. Which of the following risks is MOST likely to increase as a result of extensive customization?
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
✓
Higher costs for future upgrades
Extensive customization of an ERP system typically involves modifying the core code or configuration beyond standard parameters. This creates a custom code base that diverges from the vendor's standard release, making future upgrades significantly more complex and costly because each upgrade requires re-applying and testing all customizations against the new version, often requiring specialized skills and extensive regression testing.
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.
- ✗
Increased vendor lock-in
Why it's wrong here
Customizations may make it harder to switch vendors, but upgrade issues are more direct.
- ✗
Simpler data migration
Why it's wrong here
Customization does not simplify data migration.
- ✗
Reduced user acceptance
Why it's wrong here
Customization may improve user acceptance.
- ✓
Higher costs for future upgrades
Why this is correct
Custom code must be adapted for each new version.
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.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse customization with configuration; customization modifies source code or adds custom objects, while configuration uses built-in parameters, and only customization significantly increases upgrade costs.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, ERP upgrades involve applying vendor-provided patches and new versions to a standard baseline. Customizations create 'delta' objects (e.g., modified Z-tables in SAP or custom code in Oracle E-Business Suite) that must be manually reconciled with each new release. In a real-world scenario, a company that heavily customized its SAP ECC system faced upgrade costs exceeding 40% of the original implementation cost due to the need to re-code and test hundreds of custom ABAP programs.
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.
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
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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: Higher costs for future upgrades — Extensive customization of an ERP system typically involves modifying the core code or configuration beyond standard parameters. This creates a custom code base that diverges from the vendor's standard release, making future upgrades significantly more complex and costly because each upgrade requires re-applying and testing all customizations against the new version, often requiring specialized skills and extensive regression testing.
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.
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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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