mediumMultiple SelectObjective-mapped
Key Objectives of a Post-Implementation Review
Which TWO of the following are key objectives of a post-implementation review of a new system?
Quick Answer
The answer is verifying that the system meets user requirements and capturing lessons learned. These are the two key objectives of a post-implementation review because a PIR is fundamentally a validation and improvement exercise: it confirms that the delivered system satisfies the business needs and functional specifications defined during the requirements phase, while also documenting what worked and what did not to refine future project management and system development processes. On the CISA exam, this topic tests your understanding of the PIR’s role in the System Development Life Cycle (SDLC) and IT governance; a common trap is confusing operational acceptance testing with the PIR’s broader focus on business alignment and process improvement. To remember, think of the PIR as looking both backward (did it meet requirements?) and forward (what can we learn?), which directly supports continuous improvement. A helpful mnemonic is “R&L” for Requirements and Lessons learned.
⚠ Common exam trap
Many exam-takers confuse the PIR with project closure activities, mistakenly selecting budget variance or vendor evaluation as key objectives, when the PIR is specifically focused on verifying system effectiveness and capturing lessons learned for future projects.
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
✓
Identify lessons learned for future projects
A key objective of a post-implementation review (PIR) is to capture lessons learned from the project, which helps improve future system development and acquisition processes. This involves documenting what went well, what went wrong, and how processes can be refined, directly supporting continuous improvement in IT governance and project management.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Update the disaster recovery plan
Why it's wrong here
DR plan update is part of maintenance, not post-implementation review.
- ✗
Assess the project budget variance
Why it's wrong here
Budget review is not a primary objective of post-implementation review.
- ✓
Identify lessons learned for future projects
Why this is correct
Lessons learned are a key output.
- ✗
Evaluate vendor performance
Why it's wrong here
Vendor evaluation is typically separate.
- ✓
Verify that the system meets user requirements
Why this is correct
This is a primary objective.
Go deeper
Related to this question
About these practice questions
This CISA question is part of Courseiva's 995-question bank — original exam-style content with full explanations and wrong-answer analysis, never real exam questions or exam dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
1 more way this is tested on CISA
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. What is the PRIMARY purpose of a post-implementation review?
easy- A.To close the project budget and finalize costs
- B.To evaluate the performance of the project team
- C.To document lessons learned for future projects
- ✓ D.To assess whether expected benefits were achieved
Why D: The primary purpose of a post-implementation review (PIR) is to determine whether the system or project has delivered the expected business benefits, such as improved efficiency, cost savings, or enhanced functionality. This aligns with the IS auditor's focus on value realization and governance, ensuring that the investment achieved its intended objectives before the project is formally closed.
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.