SK0-005 Troubleshooting Steps After Implementing a Solution
Short answer
AC After the solution is implemented and verified, perform a root cause analysis and document the findings, actions, and outcomes.
Question
Key Takeaways
The test is whether you can place each activity on the timeline: scope and plan of action precede implementation, escalation is an alternative to it, and RCA plus documentation close the process.
This SK0-005 question tests the ordering of CompTIA's troubleshooting theory. After a fix is implemented and verified, the correct follow-up steps are performing a root cause analysis (A) and documenting the findings (C).
Common mistake: Choosing F (notify the users), which sounds like a wrap-up task but in SK0-005 occurs while the plan of action is being established, before the solution is implemented.
Expert Analysis
Tracing the SK0-005 sequence CompTIA's Server+ (SK0-005) troubleshooting theory runs in a fixed order: identify the problem and determine scope; establish a theory of probable cause; test the theory; establish a plan of action and implement the solution (or escalate); verify full system functionality and implement preventive measures; perform a root cause analysis; and document findings, actions and outcomes. The question asks only about steps performed after the solution has been implemented, so you must place each option on this timeline rather than merely recognizing it as a valid troubleshooting activity.
Eliminating the pre-implementation steps Option E (scope the issue) belongs to step 1, where you gather information and define impact before any fix is attempted. Option B (develop a plan of action) is step 4 itself — it is the immediate precursor to, not a follow-up of, implementation. Option D (escalate) is not a post-fix step at all: escalation is the alternative branch taken when the technician lacks the access, skill or authority to implement the fix. Once a solution has been applied, escalation is moot.
Why A and C are correct Option A (perform a root cause analysis) sits after verification and preventive measures: only after the system is confirmed functional do you ask why the failure occurred and whether a recurring condition remains. Option C (document findings) is the closing step, capturing symptoms, actions, and outcomes for the ticket, asset records and future technicians. Both therefore fall strictly downstream of implementation.
Handling the notify-users trap Option F (notify the users) is a plausible distractor because informing users sounds like a wrap-up task. However, in the SK0-005 methodology, notifying impacted users occurs while the plan of action is being established — you tell affected stakeholders what will happen before the change — so it precedes implementation. Community discussion also flags a related misconception: some learners assume documentation happens continuously or that root cause analysis happens during the fix; the exam wants the ordered sequence, with RCA and documentation recorded after the fix is verified.
Official Reference
https://www.comptia.org/blog/troubleshooting-methodology
This link opens the official vendor documentation in a new tab.
Exam Strategy
On methodology-order questions, draw the timeline first: identify/scope, theorize, test, plan and implement (or escalate), verify and prevent, root cause analysis, document. Then sort every option into before, during, or after implementation. Watch distractors like escalation and user notification, which sound final but belong earlier or serve as alternatives to the fix.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should users be notified during SK0-005 troubleshooting?
Why is escalation not a post-implementation step?
What is the purpose of root cause analysis after a fix?
Community Votes
50% of anonymous learners picked answer C. Votes are pick records left by other test-takers — they are not the verified answer.
Discussion 11 contributions
Compiled from public community threads and reader submissions, lightly edited for clarity. Handles and vote tallies are shown as recorded, and comments reflect the views of individual contributors.
From public community threads 11
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Dion79 👍 6The following list represents the basic steps in a troubleshooting methodology: Identify the problem Determine the scope of the problem Establish a theory of probable cause/question the obvious Test the theory to determine the cause Establish a plan of action Implement the solution or escalate the issue Verify full system functionality Implement preventive measures Perform a root cause analysis Document findings, actions, and outcomes throughout the process.
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Dion79 👍 5Troubleshooting methodology order. according to CompTIA Server + Study Guide SK0-005
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Pongsathorn 👍 31 Identify the problem and determine the scope 2 Establish a theory of probable cause (question the obvious) 3 Test the theory to determine the cause 4 Establish a plan of action to resolve the problem (Notify impacted users is here) 5 Implement the solution or escalate 6 Verify full system functionality and, if applicable, implement preventive measures 7 Perform a root cause analysis 8 Document findings, actions, and outcomes throughout the process
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ITken 👍 2I also thought the answers were A and C, but from CompTIA: https://www.comptia.org/blog/troubleshooting-methodology 1. Identify the problem 2. Establish a theory of probable cause 3. Test the theory to determine the cause 4. Establish a plan of action to resolve the problem and implement the solution 5. Verify full system functionality, and, if applicable, implement preventive measures 6. Document findings, actions and outcomes Root cause should be identified in step #3, and you can't do step #5 where you implement preventive measures without knowing root cause. However, in the real world, cause isn't necessarily root cause. Cause, in most cases, is be a byproduct of root cause. What you implement to fix the problem isn't always the same root issue that caused the problem. I've been in IT for over 30 years and I've seen many-a-cases where root cause is different than the byproduct issue that the user was dealing with. But we have to think like CompTIA and stick to their theory to the T.
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Dion79 👍 2Answer looks suspect. If you follow the troubleshooting methodology A&C are after Implementing the solution no escalation was needed since the technician found the solution then A - perform a root cause analysis with C documenting findings.
Show 6 more comments
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i_bird 👍 2Root cause analysis is part of "implementing preventive measure" cause it helps you in: Knowing WHAT happened WHY it happened and HOW to prevent it from happening again.
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Timock 👍 2A&C as its obviously state in Dions list.
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ccoli 👍 1I want to do RCA during the implementation of solutions not afterward otherwise how do you know you implemented the right fix if you weren't certain of the cause. Due to this C and F seem right to me, document and then tell people they can use it again.
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samyds 👍 1After implementing a solution, the next steps are: Verify full system functionality Implement preventive measures (if needed) Document findings, actions, and outcomes Inform users of the resolution
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Dion79 👍 1You are correct, but final step according to CompTIA is outcome, finds, and conclusion. You need to know your final answer through all the troubleshooting and documentation that you do.
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PEsty93 👍 1Document is not a last step. You document throughout.
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