The answer is unapproved scope changes and inconsistent project reports. These are direct indicators of poor project governance because they signal a breakdown in formal change control and performance measurement, which are foundational to the COBIT framework and ISACA’s project governance principles. Verbal approvals bypass the documented authorization and audit trail required for scope management, while inconsistent reports lacking key metrics prevent stakeholders from assessing true project health. On the CISA exam, this topic tests your ability to identify governance red flags that increase risk of project failure; a common trap is confusing operational issues (like budget overruns) with governance failures (like missing controls). Remember the mnemonic “SCOPE” for poor governance indicators: Scope creep, Communication gaps, Oversight bypassed, Performance metrics missing, and Evidence lacking.
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.
Which TWO of the following are indicators of poor project governance that an IS auditor should identify?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Scope changes are frequently requested and approved verbally.
Option A is correct because verbal approval of scope changes bypasses formal change control processes, leading to undocumented scope creep, loss of audit trail, and increased risk of project failure. An IS auditor should identify this as a governance weakness because it violates the principle of documented authorization and traceability required for effective project oversight.
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.
✓
Scope changes are frequently requested and approved verbally.
Why this is correct
Lack of formal change control leads to scope creep.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Project progress reports are inconsistent and lack key metrics.
Why this is correct
Inconsistent reporting indicates poor monitoring.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Project team uses an agile methodology.
Why it's wrong here
Agile is a valid methodology, not an indicator of poor governance.
✗
Project status meetings are held weekly.
Why it's wrong here
Regular meetings are good practice.
✗
The project budget is reallocated across phases.
Why it's wrong here
Budget reallocation can be legitimate if properly managed.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may confuse agile methodology with poor governance, but agile includes its own governance mechanisms (e.g., sprint reviews, backlog grooming, definition of done) that, when followed, do not indicate weak oversight.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In project governance, the change control board (CCB) should formally review and approve all scope changes, with documented decisions and impact analysis. Verbal approvals create a gap in the audit trail, making it impossible to verify who authorized changes or whether proper risk assessment occurred. This is especially critical in regulated environments where compliance frameworks like COBIT or PMBOK require written change requests and approval records.
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 junior network technician can log in to a core router but cannot reach the enable prompt or configuration mode. The AAA server is authenticating the login — but the authorisation policy only grants privilege level 1, not 15. Authentication (who you are) is working; authorisation (what you can do) is not.
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: Scope changes are frequently requested and approved verbally. — Option A is correct because verbal approval of scope changes bypasses formal change control processes, leading to undocumented scope creep, loss of audit trail, and increased risk of project failure. An IS auditor should identify this as a governance weakness because it violates the principle of documented authorization and traceability required for effective project oversight.
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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