Free Isaca COBIT-2019 Practice Exam with Questions & Answers | Set: 5

Ensuring the program team knows and understands the enterprise goals is a part of the “Where do we want to be?” phase of the implementation. The implementation of a governance system is divided into seven phases, each with a set of activities and outputs. The “Where do we want to be?” phase involves defining the desired outcomes and target state of the governance system, based on the enterprise’s vision, mission, values, and goals. One of the activities in this phase is to ensure that the program team is aware of and aligned with the enterprise goals, as well as their roles and responsibilities in achieving them. The answer is based on the COBIT 2019 Implementation Guide2, page 34. References: 2: COBIT 2019 Implementation Guide | Digital | English

 An actionable strategy and governance system enables an enterprise to maximize value from the use of I&T by providing direction, alignment, oversight, and performance measurement. A strategy defines the enterprise’s vision, mission, goals, and objectives, and how I&T can support them. A governance system ensures that the strategy is implemented effectively and efficiently, and that the outcomes are monitored and evaluated. COBIT provides a comprehensive governance system for enterprise I&T that covers all aspects of governance, management, and enablers.13 References: COBIT 2019 Framework: Introduction and Methodology, COBIT 2019 Framework: Governance and Management Objectives

 The key question that should be asked and evaluated one year after IT governance is implemented is whether the enterprise has achieved expected benefits. Benefits are the positive outcomes or value that are derived from a project or program. Benefits can be tangible (such as increased revenue, reduced costs, improved efficiency, etc.) or intangible (such as enhanced reputation, customer satisfaction, employee engagement, etc.). Benefits realization is the process of planning, managing, measuring, and reporting the benefits that are delivered by a project or program. Asking and evaluating whether the enterprise has achieved expected benefits one year after IT governance is implemented is important because it helps to determine whether the IT governance system is effective in creating value for the enterprise and its stakeholders.12 References: COBIT 2019 Framework: Introduction and Methodology, COBIT 2019 Implementation Guide: Implementing an Information and Technology Governance Solution

Innovation and differentiation are examples of enterprise objectives design factors. Design factors are the characteristics or aspects of an enterprise that influence the design and implementation of a governance system. They include factors such as enterprise size, industry sector, risk profile, regulatory environment, sourcing model, etc. Enterprise objectives are the specific goals or targets that an enterprise sets to achieve its vision and mission. They are derived from the stakeholder drivers and needs, and are influenced by the design factors. Innovation and differentiation are two possible design factors that affect how an enterprise defines its objectives.12 References: COBIT 2019 Framework: Introduction and Methodology, COBIT 2019 Design Guide: Designing an Information and Technology Governance Solution

 Risk management focuses on the preservation of value, while value delivery focuses on the creation of value. Value is the benefit that an enterprise derives from using information and technology. Value can be measured in terms of effectiveness, efficiency, quality, innovation, etc. Value delivery is the process of ensuring that information and technology investments and services contribute to the achievement of enterprise goals and objectives. Value delivery focuses on the creation of value by aligning I&T with business requirements, optimizing costs and resources, enhancing performance and outcomes, etc. Risk management is the process of identifying, analyzing, evaluating, treating, monitoring, and communicating risks that affect the achievement of enterprise objectives. Risk management focuses on the preservation of value by ensuring that risks are within acceptable levels, that opportunities are exploited, that uncertainties are reduced, etc.12 References: COBIT 2019 Framework: Introduction and Methodology, COBIT 2019 Framework: Governance System

The management objective related to optimization of system performance is managed availability and capacity. A management objective is a desired outcome of the management processes for information and technology. Managed availability and capacity is one of the 40 management objectives defined by COBIT that describeshow to ensure that I&T services are delivered at agreed levels, as well as optimized for current and future needs.14 References: COBIT 2019 Framework: Introduction and Methodology, COBIT 2019 Framework: Governance and Management Objectives

 Within the COBIT goals cascade, stakeholder drivers are transformed into the enterprise’s actionable strategy. The COBIT goals cascade is a mechanism that helps enterprises to align their governance objectives with their stakeholder needs. It consists of four levels: stakeholder drivers, enterprise goals, alignment goals, and governance and management objectives. Stakeholder drivers are the needs or expectations of the internal or external stakeholders of the enterprise. Enterprise goals are the specific targets or outcomes that the enterprise sets to achieve its vision and mission. Alignment goals are the intermediate goals that link the enterprise goals with the governance and management objectives. Governance and management objectives are the desired outcomes of the governance system for information and technology. Stakeholder drivers are transformed into enterprise goals through a process of analysis, prioritization, and validation. Enterprise goals form the basis ofthe enterprise’s actionable strategy.12 References: COBIT 2019 Framework: Introduction and Methodology, COBIT 2019 Framework: Governance System

The number of business processing hours lost due to unplanned service interruptions would be an appropriate metric associated with an enterprise goal of business service continuity and availability. A metric is a quantifiable measure that is used to track and assess the status of a specific process or activity. Business service continuity and availability is one of the 17 generic enterprise goals defined by COBIT that describes the desired outcome of ensuring that critical business services are delivered at agreed levels and are resilient to disruptions. The number of business processing hours lost due to unplanned service interruptions is a metric that reflects how well this outcome is achieved.13 References: COBIT 2019 Framework: Introduction and Methodology, COBIT 2019 Framework: Governance and Management Objectives

A fundamental characteristic of the COBIT framework is its clear distinction between governance and management activities. This differentiation is crucial for establishing effective oversight and operational execution within an organization's IT functions.

Governance Activities:These are the responsibilities of the board of directors and involve evaluating strategic options, directing the organization towards achieving objectives, and monitoring performance. Governance ensures that stakeholder needs, conditions, and options are evaluated to determine balanced, agreed-upon enterprise objectives to be achieved.

Management Activities:These are the responsibilities of executive management and involve planning, building, running, and monitoring activities in alignment with the direction set by the governance body to achieve the enterprise objectives.

Option A, "COBIT organizes enterprise business processes," is not accurate. While COBIT provides a framework for IT governance, it does not structure or organize all enterprise business processes.

Option C, "COBIT addresses the activities required to manage all IT within an enterprise," is partially correct but does not capture the essence of the framework's focus on distinguishing governance from management.

Therefore, the characteristic of the COBIT framework is that it distinguishes between governance and management activities, providing a structured approach to align IT processes with enterprise goals.

The role of IT design factor describes how IT supports the enterprise strategy and objectives. Turnaround is a role of IT that is viewed as a driver for business process and service innovation, by enabling new ways of doing business, creating new sources of revenue, and enhancing customer satisfaction1, p. 29. References: 1: COBIT 2019 Framework: Introduction and Methodology