The answer is a formal change control process for code changes and segregation of duties between development and testing. These are key SDLC controls because a formal change control process ensures that every code modification is authorized, tracked, and documented, preventing unauthorized or untested changes from reaching production. Segregation of duties between development and testing is equally critical, as it enforces independent verification—developers cannot approve their own code, which reduces the risk of undetected defects or malicious code being released. On the CISA exam, this question tests your understanding of foundational SDLC governance and the principle of least privilege applied to the software development lifecycle. A common trap is confusing segregation of duties with simple version control; remember that version control tracks changes, but segregation of duties enforces who can approve them. For a memory tip, think “Change Control + Separation = SDLC Protection.”
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 key controls that an IS auditor should expect to find in a well-managed system development life cycle (SDLC)?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Segregation of duties between development and testing.
Segregation of duties between development and testing is a key control because it ensures that code is independently verified before release, preventing developers from approving their own changes and reducing the risk of undetected defects or malicious code. In a well-managed SDLC, this separation enforces an independent testing phase, which is critical for maintaining code integrity and security.
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.
✓
Segregation of duties between development and testing.
Why this is correct
Ensures independent verification and reduces risk of errors.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Vendor due diligence reports.
Why it's wrong here
Relevant for third-party software acquisition, not general SDLC.
✓
Formal change control process for code changes.
Why this is correct
Prevents unauthorized modifications and ensures traceability.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Automated unit testing scripts.
Why it's wrong here
Unit testing is a development practice, not a control.
✗
Gantt chart for project scheduling.
Why it's wrong here
Gantt charts aid planning but are not a control.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse project management artifacts (like Gantt charts) or development tools (like unit test scripts) with actual controls, but the CISA exam focuses on controls that enforce separation of duties and formal change management, not on the tools or schedules used to manage the project.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Segregation of duties in the SDLC is rooted in the principle of least privilege and the need for dual control; for example, in a CI/CD pipeline, developers should not have write access to the production branch or the ability to approve their own pull requests. This control is often enforced through branch protection rules in version control systems (e.g., Git) and separate role-based access controls (RBAC) in tools like Jenkins or Azure DevOps, ensuring that a tester or release manager must approve and merge code. In a real-world scenario, a bank's SDLC might require that a developer's unit test results are independently verified by a QA engineer before the code is promoted to staging, preventing a single point of failure.
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: Segregation of duties between development and testing. — Segregation of duties between development and testing is a key control because it ensures that code is independently verified before release, preventing developers from approving their own changes and reducing the risk of undetected defects or malicious code. In a well-managed SDLC, this separation enforces an independent testing phase, which is critical for maintaining code integrity and security.
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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