easyMultiple Choice
CISA Practice Question: The PRIMARY purpose of a post-implementation…
What is the PRIMARY purpose of a post-implementation review?
⚠ Common exam trap
A common mix-up: candidates confuse the PIR's primary purpose with the project closure process (Option A) or the team's performance evaluation (Option B), but CISA emphasizes that the review's core objective is to confirm that the system delivers the expected business value, not just to complete administrative tasks.
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
✓
To assess whether expected benefits were achieved
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.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
To close the project budget and finalize costs
Why it's wrong here
Budget closure and cost finalisation are administrative close-out tasks, not the review's primary purpose. It is tempting because the review occurs near project end, but its focus is evaluating whether the solution delivers the intended business benefits and objectives.
- ✗
To evaluate the performance of the project team
Why it's wrong here
Team performance appraisal belongs to line management and HR processes, not the post-implementation review. It is tempting because the review examines project execution, but its primary purpose is assessing whether the delivered solution meets business objectives and delivers expected benefits.
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To document lessons learned for future projects
Why it's wrong here
Lessons learned are a by-product; the review's primary purpose is assessing whether the delivered system meets business objectives and realises expected benefits. Documenting lessons suits closure reporting, yet it does not determine whether the original business case was actually achieved.
- ✓
To assess whether expected benefits were achieved
Why this is correct
A post-implementation review compares actual outcomes against the business case after a system goes live, determining whether the projected benefits, costs and objectives were realised. This assessment informs corrective action and improves future project justification.
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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.