The answer is detailed technical specifications and the vendor’s financial stability information. These two elements are essential in a request for proposal because the technical specifications define the system’s functional and performance requirements, ensuring the vendor can meet the organization’s needs, while financial stability information assesses the vendor’s long-term viability to support the system over its lifecycle. On the CISA exam, this tests your understanding of RFP essential elements as part of the IT acquisition and vendor management domain, often appearing in scenario-based questions where an IS auditor must identify missing or critical RFP components. A common trap is focusing only on technical details and overlooking vendor risk, so remember that a complete RFP balances both technical and financial due diligence. A useful memory tip is “Tech and Treasury” — every RFP must cover the system’s specs and the vendor’s financial health to avoid unsupported systems or vendor failure.
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.
An IS auditor is reviewing a request for proposal (RFP) for a new system. Which TWO elements should be included in the RFP?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Vendor's financial stability information
In an RFP for a new system, including the vendor's financial stability information (B) is critical to assess the vendor's long-term viability and ability to support the system over its lifecycle. This helps mitigate the risk of vendor failure or bankruptcy, which could disrupt operations and leave the organization with an unsupported system.
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.
✗
Confidentiality agreement
Why it's wrong here
Confidentiality is usually covered by a separate NDA.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Sample contract terms
Why it's wrong here
Contract terms are normally addressed after RFP responses.
✗
Employee resumes for the proposed team
Why it's wrong here
Resumes are often requested later; RFP focuses on capabilities.
✓
Detailed technical specifications
Why this is correct
Specifications define the required system functionality.
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 may confuse the RFP's purpose with later procurement stages, incorrectly including contract terms or personnel details that are better suited for the proposal evaluation or negotiation phase.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
An RFP serves as a formal solicitation document that outlines technical specifications, functional requirements, and evaluation criteria to invite vendors to propose solutions. Including detailed technical specifications (E) ensures that vendors understand the exact system requirements, reducing ambiguity and enabling accurate cost and effort estimates. Financial stability information (B) is often verified through audited financial statements or credit ratings, which are critical for long-term system support and maintenance commitments.
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 — 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: Vendor's financial stability information — In an RFP for a new system, including the vendor's financial stability information (B) is critical to assess the vendor's long-term viability and ability to support the system over its lifecycle. This helps mitigate the risk of vendor failure or bankruptcy, which could disrupt operations and leave the organization with an unsupported system.
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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