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CISA Practice Question: In a traditional waterfall SDLC, when should the…
In a traditional waterfall SDLC, when should the test plan be developed?
⚠ Common exam trap
It's easy for candidates to confuse the timing of test plan development with the start of actual testing, mistakenly thinking the test plan can be deferred to the implementation or coding phase, but CISA emphasizes that test planning must begin during design to align with the V-model and ensure testability is built into the system.
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
✓
During the design phase
In a traditional waterfall SDLC, the test plan should be developed during the design phase because testing activities must be planned in parallel with system design to ensure that test cases, test data, and acceptance criteria are aligned with the design specifications. This allows for early identification of testability issues and ensures that the test plan is ready before coding begins, enabling a structured and efficient testing process.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
During the implementation phase
Why it's wrong here
Too late.
- ✗
During the coding phase
Why it's wrong here
Too late for effective planning.
- ✗
During the requirements phase
Why it's wrong here
Possible but design phase is more typical.
- ✓
During the design phase
Why this is correct
Allows integration with design.
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