Pass the Isaca Isaca Certification COBIT-2019 Questions and answers with CertsForce

 COBIT defines stakeholder value creation as the realization of benefits at an optimal resource cost while optimizing risk. This is based on the principle of balance, which states that “governance of enterprise I & T should ensure that stakeholder needs, conditions and options are evaluated to determine balanced, agreed-on enterprise objectives to be achieved; setting direction through prioritization and decision making; and monitoring performance and compliance against agreed-on direction and objectives” . Value creation is not only about reducing costs or mitigating risks, but also about optimizing them in relation to the expected benefits. 

An enterprise that has been consistently growing over the years and has decided to adapt the COBIT framework from the growth perspective of the balanced scorecard dimensions should select product and business innovation as one of its most relevant enterprise goals. The balanced scorecard is a tool that translates strategic objectives into four dimensions: financial, customer, internal, and growth. The growth dimension focuses on how the enterprise can create new products or services, enter new markets, or improve its processes or capabilities to achieve long-term success. Product and business innovation is one of the 17 enterprise goals defined in COBIT 2019, which describe the outcomes that an enterprise wants to achieve from its use of information and technology. This goal relates to enhancing customer satisfaction and loyalty by providing innovative solutions that meet their needs and expectations.  The answer is based on the COBIT 2019 Framework 5 , page 38.  References:   5 : COBIT 2019 Framework | Digital | English

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. 1 2   References:   COBIT 2019 Framework: Introduction and Methodology ,  COBIT 2019 Design Guide: Designing an Information and Technology Governance Solution

The alignment goal titled “Delivery of IT services in line with business requirements” is most likely to be associated with the metric “percent of IT services with defined operational costs and expected benefits”. This metric measures the extent to which IT services are aligned with business needs and expectations, and deliver value for money. The alignment goal is one of the 17 enterprise goals defined in COBIT 2019, which describe the outcomes that an enterprise wants to achieve from its use of information and technology.  The alignment goal is based on the COBIT 2019 Framework 4 , page 36.  References:   4 : COBIT 2019 Framework | Digital | English

The high involvement of IT-related roles in organizational structures is a critical requirement when the IT function is strategic and crucial to the success of the business. The IT function is the part of the enterprise that is responsible for planning, delivering, operating, and supporting information and technology services. The IT function can have different levels of strategic importance for the business, depending on the nature, scope, and objectives of the enterprise. When the IT function is strategic and crucial to the success of the business, it means that information and technology are essential for creating value, achieving competitive advantage, enabling innovation, etc.  In this case, it is critical to have high involvement of IT-related roles in organizational structures, such as having IT representation at the board level, having clear IT leadership roles and responsibilities, having effective IT governance committees or forums, etc. 1 3   References:   COBIT 2019 Framework: Introduction and Methodology ,  COBIT 2019 Framework: Roles, Responsibilities & RACI Charts

 Design factors are based on generic components of a governance system but are tailored for a specific purpose or context within a focus area. 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. Focus areas are topics or issues that can be addressed by governance objectives, such as digital transformation, cybersecurity, privacy, etc.  COBIT provides guidance on how to use design factors and focus areas to customize a governance system. 1 3   References:   COBIT 2019 Framework: Introduction and Methodology ,  COBIT 2019 Design Guide: Designing an Information and Technology Governance Solution

 The component that should be considered for inclusion when considering the threat landscape design factor is information security focus areas. The threat landscape is one of the 11 design factors defined in COBIT 2019, and it refers to the current and emerging threats that may affect the enterprise’s information and technology assets, such as cyberattacks, natural disasters, human errors, etc. Information security focus areas are the specific domains or topics that need to be addressed by the governance system to ensure adequate protection of information and technology assets from potential threats, such as identity and access management, data protection, incident response, etc.  The answer is based on the COBIT 2019 Design Guide 4 , page 17.  References:   4 : COBIT 2019 Design Guide | Digital | English

COBIT 2019 lists the alignment goals and shows how each aligns to an IT balanced scorecard (IT BSC) dimension . In the COBIT goals cascade table for alignment goals, AG12 is explicitly placed under the Learning and Growth dimension.

Exact Extract (COBIT 2019 Framework: Introduction and Methodology — Goals Cascade, Alignment Goals and Metrics):

“ AG12 Learning and Growth — Competent and motivated staff with mutual understanding of technology and business …”

In the same table, the other answer options are shown under different IT BSC dimensions:

“Realized benefits from I & T-enabled investments and services portfolio” is listed under the Financial dimension (AG03).

“Delivery of I & T services in line with business requirements” is listed under the Customer dimension (AG05).

Therefore, the alignment goal in the Learning and Growth dimension is C. Competent and motivated staff with mutual understanding of technology and business (AG12) .

 The alignment goal “Delivery of I & T services in line with business requirements” is organized into the customer dimension of the IT balanced scorecard (BSC). The IT BSC is a strategic performance management tool that helps enterprises to translate their IT vision and strategy into operational objectives and measures. The IT BSC consists of four dimensions: customer, financial, internal, and learning and growth. The customer dimension focuses on how well IT meets the needs and expectations of its customers and stakeholders.  Delivery of I & T services in line with business requirements is one of the 17 generic alignment goals defined by COBIT that supports the customer dimension. 1 2   References:   COBIT 2019 Framework: Introduction and Methodology ,  COBIT 2019 Framework: Governance System