Quick Answer
The correct answer is to log the defect and perform impact analysis before approving a fix. This is because the UAT defect handling process demands that any reported issue, especially one affecting financial calculations, must be formally documented and assessed for its potential ripple effects on existing functionality, data integrity, and regulatory compliance before any code change is made. On the CISA exam, this scenario tests your understanding of change management controls during the final validation phase, where the focus shifts from speed to risk mitigation; a common trap is choosing to fix immediately to satisfy the project manager, which bypasses the structured impact analysis required to prevent cascading failures in a live-like environment. Remember the mnemonic “LIP” — Log, Impact, then Proceed — to reinforce that in UAT, a quick fix without analysis is a compliance risk, not a solution.
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 the user acceptance testing (UAT) phase of a new financial application, the business users report that the system calculates interest incorrectly for certain loan types. The project manager wants to fix this quickly. Which of the following is the BEST course of action?
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.
Instruct the business to work around the issue until the next release
Why wrong: Does not solve the problem.
Authorize the development team to fix the bug immediately and re-deploy
Why wrong: Skipping change control introduces risk.
Roll back to the previous version of the application
Why wrong: May not address the root cause.
Log the defect and perform impact analysis before approving a fix
Ensures proper change management.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Log the defect and perform impact analysis before approving a fix
Option D is correct because in the UAT phase, any defect must be formally logged and subjected to impact analysis before a fix is approved. This ensures that the proposed change does not introduce new risks, break other functionality, or violate regulatory compliance—critical for a financial application handling interest calculations. Skipping this process could lead to cascading failures or audit findings.
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.
Instruct the business to work around the issue until the next release
Why it's wrong here
Does not solve the problem.
Authorize the development team to fix the bug immediately and re-deploy
Why it's wrong here
Skipping change control introduces risk.
Roll back to the previous version of the application
Why it's wrong here
May not address the root cause.
Log the defect and perform impact analysis before approving a fix
Why this is correct
Ensures proper change management.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates often choose Option B (immediate fix) because it seems efficient, but CISA emphasizes that any change during UAT must follow a controlled process to avoid introducing new risks, especially in financial systems where accuracy and auditability are paramount.
Detailed technical explanation
Impact analysis in UAT involves evaluating the defect's severity, affected modules (e.g., interest calculation algorithms, loan type tables), and dependencies on other components like database stored procedures or batch jobs. A formal defect log with priority and root cause analysis ensures that the fix is tested in isolation before re-deployment, aligning with ITIL change management and COBIT principles. In real-world scenarios, a rushed fix for a financial calculation error could lead to incorrect general ledger postings, triggering audit non-compliance.
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
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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: Log the defect and perform impact analysis before approving a fix — Option D is correct because in the UAT phase, any defect must be formally logged and subjected to impact analysis before a fix is approved. This ensures that the proposed change does not introduce new risks, break other functionality, or violate regulatory compliance—critical for a financial application handling interest calculations. Skipping this process could lead to cascading failures or audit findings.
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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Same concept, more angles
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. An organization is implementing a new financial system and has completed user acceptance testing (UAT). The project manager reports that all critical defects have been fixed and retested, but several low-severity issues remain unresolved. What is the BEST course of action?
mediumWhy A: Option A is correct because in a financial system implementation, low-severity issues that do not impair core financial processing or controls can be accepted as known risks. Documenting them with a remediation plan and proceeding with go-live aligns with ISACA’s guidance that UAT sign-off does not require zero defects, only that critical and high-severity defects are resolved. This approach balances business needs with risk management, avoiding unnecessary delays while ensuring accountability through formal risk acceptance.
Variation 2. An organization is implementing a custom ERP system. During user acceptance testing (UAT), critical bugs are found that affect core financial processing. The project sponsor suggests deploying the system on schedule and fixing bugs after go-live. What is the BEST course of action?
mediumWhy A: The correct answer is A because deploying an ERP system with unresolved critical bugs in core financial processing violates the fundamental principle of system integrity and accuracy. UAT must be successfully completed to validate that the system meets business requirements and processes financial transactions correctly; going live with known critical defects introduces unacceptable risk of financial misstatement, regulatory non-compliance, and data corruption. Delaying go-live ensures that all critical bugs are resolved and retested, preserving the reliability of financial data and audit trails.
Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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