easyMultiple Choice
CISA Practice Question: The PRIMARY purpose of conducting a feasibility…
What is the PRIMARY purpose of conducting a feasibility study before acquiring a new information system?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many candidates confuse the feasibility study with later phases like requirements gathering or vendor selection, leading them to pick A or B, when the core CISA focus is on the study's role as a go/no-go decision gate based on viability assessment.
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 the technical, operational, and economic viability
The primary purpose of a feasibility study is to evaluate whether a proposed information system is technically achievable, operationally compatible with existing processes, and economically justified before committing resources. This upfront assessment prevents investment in systems that cannot be successfully implemented or sustained, directly addressing risk management in the acquisition lifecycle.
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 define detailed system requirements
Why it's wrong here
A feasibility study assesses whether a proposed system is technically, economically and operationally viable; detailed requirements are elicited later during requirements analysis. It is tempting because both precede acquisition, but defining requirements belongs to the analysis phase once viability is confirmed.
- ✗
To select a vendor through a bidding process
Why it's wrong here
Vendor selection through bidding occurs after feasibility confirms the project is viable and funded; the study itself evaluates options, costs and organisational fit. It is tempting because acquisition follows, but bidding is a procurement activity, not the purpose of the preceding feasibility assessment.
- ✓
To assess the technical, operational, and economic viability
Why this is correct
A feasibility study evaluates whether the proposed system is technically buildable, operationally supportable and economically justified before capital is committed. Assessing these three viability dimensions satisfies the stem's requirement to justify acquisition, preventing investment in systems that cannot deliver value.
- ✗
To determine the total cost of ownership
Why it's wrong here
A feasibility study assesses operational, technical, schedule and economic viability to decide whether to proceed; total cost of ownership is only one economic input, and a project can be viable despite high TCO. TCO analysis is the right choice when comparing whole-life costs of competing vendor solutions already deemed feasible.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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