CISA Practice Question: Information Systems Acquisition, Development, and Implementation
Which of the following is the PRIMARY objective of a post-implementation review of an information system?
⚠ Common exam trap
CISA often tests the difference between primary and secondary objectives, tempting candidates to select project management concerns like team performance or technical documentation instead of the core benefit realization focus.
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 evaluate whether the system achieved its planned objectives and benefits
The primary objective of a post-implementation review (PIR) is to evaluate whether the system achieved its planned objectives and delivered the expected benefits. It assesses the system against the original business case, requirements, and success criteria to determine if the investment realized its intended value. This evaluation informs future investment decisions and identifies lessons learned.
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 assess the performance of the project team
Why it's wrong here
A post-implementation review evaluates whether the system delivers the intended business benefits and meets user needs, not how well the project team performed. Assessing team performance is tempting because delivery quality affects outcomes, but that belongs to project closure and performance appraisal, not the system's operational review.
- ✓
To evaluate whether the system achieved its planned objectives and benefits
Why this is correct
A post-implementation review compares actual outcomes against the business case and stated benefits, determining whether the system delivered its planned objectives. This addresses the primary governance objective rather than technical performance or user satisfaction alone.
- ✗
To document the technical architecture for future reference
Why it's wrong here
Documenting technical architecture is a design and handover deliverable, not the review's objective. It is tempting because reviews surface undocumented components, but the primary purpose is verifying that the system achieves its intended business benefits and satisfies original requirements after go-live.
- ✗
To identify new requirements for future enhancements
Why it's wrong here
Identifying future enhancement requirements is a forward-looking benefits-realisation activity, not the review's primary purpose. It is tempting because findings often feed the enhancement backlog, but the review first establishes whether the delivered system meets its original business objectives and requirements.
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Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official ISACA exam blueprint
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