COBIT-Design-and-Implementation ISACA COBIT2019Design and Implementation certificate Questions and Answers

The COBIT 2019 Design Guide explains:

"The outcome of assessing current capability versus target capability is the identification of capability gaps. These gaps indicate areas for potential improvement and feed directly into the planning and implementation stages."

Hence, the result of such an assessment is a list ofpotential improvements.

When the IT implementation methods design factor value is agile, the management objective priority should be "Managed IT changes." Agile methodologies involve frequent changes and iterations, making effective change management crucial for success.

Agile methodologies emphasize flexibility, iterative development, and rapid response to change. As a result, managing IT changes becomes a priority to ensure that changes are systematically controlled, risks are mitigated, and alignment with business goals is maintained.

COBIT 2019 Framework References:

COBIT 2019 Framework: Governance and Management Objectives, BAI06 Managed IT Changes:This objective focuses on managing all IT changes in a controlled manner, ensuring minimal disruption and alignment with business goals.

COBIT 2019 Design Guide, Chapter 3:Discusses the importance of aligning management objectives with specific design factors, such as IT implementation methods like Agile.

By prioritizing "Managed IT changes," the enterprise can ensure that its agile implementation remains effective and aligned with overall governance objectives.

When assessing the current state of I&T, a continual improvement task includes identifying potential process improvements. This task is essential for ensuring that IT processes remain efficient, effective, and aligned with business goals.

References in COBIT 2019 Design and Implementation:

COBIT 2019 Framework: Governance and Management Objectives, BAI10 (Managed Continuous Improvement):This objective focuses on the importance of continually assessing and improving IT processes to enhance performance and value delivery.

COBIT 2019 Implementation Guide, Chapter 5:This chapter discusses the need for continuous improvement initiatives, including the identification of potential process improvements to optimize IT performance.

By continually identifying and implementing process improvements, enterprises can ensure that their IT functions remain competitive and capable of supporting evolving business needs.

As outlined in the COBIT 2019 Design Guide:

"The governance system design workflow supports the development of a governance system that is tailored to the specific needs, context, and priorities of the enterprise."

It is not limited to compliance or rigid frameworks.

The COBIT® 2019 Design Guide explains that when the threat landscape is assessed as high, enterprises must strengthen their ability to monitor, evaluate, and provide independent assurance over governance and management practices. A high threat landscape indicates increased exposure to cyber threats, regulatory scrutiny, operational disruption, or external instability.

In such environments, governance systems must ensure that controls are not only defined but are working effectively and continuously. The management objective MEA04 – Managed Assurance directly addresses this need by establishing mechanisms for independent assurance, audit coordination, and validation of control effectiveness.

While DSS01 (operations) and APO09 (service agreements) are important operational objectives, they do not directly address the governance need for confidence in control effectiveness. APO04 (innovation) is generally deprioritized in high-threat contexts, where stability and risk oversight take precedence.

COBIT explicitly links elevated threats to increased reliance on assurance activities to provide governing bodies with confidence that risks are being managed appropriately. Therefore, MEA04 becomes a priority management objective when the threat landscape is high.

In the COBIT 2019 implementation lifecycle, the phase where long-term targets should be adjusted based on experience is the evaluation phase, known as "Did we get there?". This phase involves assessing the results of the implemented governance and management practices to determine if the objectives have been met and to identify areas for improvement.

Detailed Explanation with References:

How do we get there? (Option A):

This phase focuses on developing and executing the plan to achieve the governance objectives. It involves identifying the steps, resources, and timeline needed to reach the desired state. While important for planning, this phase is more about action and implementation rather than evaluation and adjustment of long-term targets.

Where are we now? (Option B):

This phase involves assessing the current state of the governance system, identifying gaps, and understanding the baseline. It provides the foundational information needed to plan improvements but does not involve adjusting long-term targets.

What needs to be done? (Option C):

This phase is concerned with identifying the specific actions and initiatives required to address the gaps and achieve the governance objectives. It involves planning and prioritizing activities but not the evaluation and adjustment of long-term targets based on experience.

Did we get there? (Option D):

In this phase, the enterprise evaluates the outcomes of the implemented governance system against the set objectives and targets. It involves assessing whether the desired goals were achieved and analyzing the effectiveness of the governance practices. Based on this evaluation, the organization can adjust long-term targets to better align with practical experience, new insights, and evolving business needs. This phase is critical for continuous improvement and ensuring that the governance system remains relevant and effective over time.

According to the COBIT 2019 Implementation Guide, this phase includes reviewing performance metrics, stakeholder feedback, and lessons learned from the implementation process. These insights are then used to refine and adjust long-term targets to improve future performance and outcomes.

Conclusion:The correct answer isD. Did we get there?. This phase involves evaluating the results of the governance implementation, learning from the experience, and making necessary adjustments to long-term targets to ensure continuous improvement and alignment with the enterprise’s goals.

The COBIT 2019 framework outlines a structured approach to implementing Enterprise Governance of Information and Technology (EGIT). Understanding the impact of an improvement program on IT and the business, as well as maintaining the improvement momentum, is crucial during the execution stage of the EGIT implementation life cycle.

Detailed Explanation with References:

Initiating an EGIT Program (Option A):

At this initial stage, the focus is on understanding the current state, identifying stakeholders, and obtaining executive sponsorship. The primary activities involve setting objectives and scope rather than assessing impacts or maintaining momentum.

Defining the EGIT Implementation Road Map (Option B):

This stage involves planning the high-level steps and timeline for the EGIT implementation. While this includes identifying key milestones and dependencies, it is not the primary phase for determining the impact or maintaining momentum.

Developing the EGIT Implementation Program Plan (Option C):

Developing the program plan involves detailing the specific actions, resources, and responsibilities needed to implement the EGIT. It sets the foundation for execution but focuses more on preparation and organization rather than assessing impact or maintaining momentum.

Executing the EGIT Implementation Program Plan (Option D):

During execution, the organization puts the plan into action. This is the stage where the actual improvements are implemented, and their impacts on IT and the business can be observed and assessed. Maintaining the improvement momentum becomes critical as the changes start to take effect. Continuous monitoring, managing resistance, addressing issues, and ensuring that the improvements are sustained are key activities during this phase.

Conclusion:The correct answer isD. When executing the EGIT implementation program plan. At this stage, the enterprise is actively implementing the changes, and it is crucial to determine the impact on IT and the business, as well as to maintain the improvement momentum to ensure the success and sustainability of the program.

The COBIT 2019 Implementation Guide specifies:

"The change enablement component addresses behavioral and cultural aspects of the implementation or improvement initiative. It is key to achieving commitment and reducing resistance to change."

Therefore, change enablement is focused on culture and behavior, not organizational structures or technical implementation details.

When considering the threat landscape design factor, impact and probability levels should be considered for inclusion. These levels help in assessing the potential consequences and likelihood of various threats, which is essential for effective risk management and governance.

In the COBIT 2019 framework, the threat landscape design factor involves understanding and evaluating the risks that an enterprise may face. Impact and probability levels are critical components of this evaluation as they provide a basis for prioritizing threats and developing appropriate responses.

COBIT 2019 Framework References:

COBIT 2019 Design Guide, Chapter 2:Discusses the importance of understanding the threat landscape and evaluating threats based on their impact and probability.

COBIT 2019 Framework: Governance and Management Objectives:Emphasizes the need for a thorough risk assessment, which includes analyzing the impact and probability of potential threats.

Including impact and probability levels in the assessment of the threat landscape ensures a comprehensive understanding of risks, enabling the enterprise to prioritize and mitigate threats effectively.

According to COBIT 2019 and general IT risk management principles:

"Risk mitigation is the most commonly used response strategy. It involves taking action to reduce the likelihood or impact of a risk, often by implementing controls or other countermeasures."

This is supported in COBIT’s treatment of risk under governance objective EDM03.

According to the COBIT 2019 Design Guide:

"A first mover in technology adoption will prioritize benefits realization, ensuring that the value from early adoption is achieved effectively."

Thus,Ensured benefits delivery (EDM02)aligns best with a first-mover approach.

The COBIT 2019 Governance and Management Objective EDM05, "Ensured Stakeholder Engagement," focuses on ensuring that stakeholders are engaged, their expectations are considered, and the communication between IT and the business is effective.

"The purpose of EDM05 is to ensure that stakeholders are identified and engaged in alignment with enterprise objectives. It supports building commitment and accountability across stakeholders, especially at the executive and board levels."

In this scenario, where there is reluctance and lack of sponsorship from senior stakeholders, EDM05 is the most appropriate to address engagement and alignment.

In Phase 3 (Where do we want to be?) and Phase 4 (What needs to be done?) of the COBIT® 2019 implementation lifecycle, the Implementation Guide highlights gap analysis as a critical activity. A gap analysis compares the current state against the desired target state to identify missing capabilities, skills, processes, tools, and resources.

Defining improvement opportunities identifies areas for enhancement but does not quantify resource needs. SWOT analysis provides strategic insight but lacks operational specificity. Capability maturity models assess current capability levels but do not directly identify what additional resources are required to close gaps.

Gap analysis, however, explicitly reveals what is missing—people, skills, funding, tools, or organizational structures—allowing management to plan resource acquisition accurately.

Therefore, conducting a gap analysis is the most effective method for identifying additional resources needed to implement planned I&T changes.

In the COBIT 2019 Design Guide, it is stated:

"Current I&T-related issues, also called pain points—from which the enterprise is suffering. These could be considered risks that have materialized."

This indicates that pain points are actual issues the enterprise is currently experiencing, representing risks that have already materialized.

The COBIT 2019 framework aligns enterprise goals with balanced scorecard (BSC) dimensions. Under thegrowth and innovationBSC perspective, one of the core enterprise goals listed is:

"Product and business innovation" – which directly supports strategic growth by encouraging new products, services, and ways of operating.

This goal aligns with an enterprise that is expanding and looking to leverage innovation to sustain growth. Other options like risk management or cost optimization fit different BSC dimensions (e.g., financial, internal process).

The role of the board when establishing where the enterprise wants to be is to set priorities, time scales, and expectations. This ensures that the strategic direction and goals are clearly defined and communicated across the organization.

References in COBIT 2019 Design and Implementation:

COBIT 2019 Framework: Governance and Management Objectives, EDM01 (Ensure Governance Framework Setting and Maintenance):This objective outlines the board's responsibilities in setting the strategic direction, including priorities, timeframes, and expectations.

COBIT 2019 Implementation Guide, Chapter 3:This chapter emphasizes the board's role in defining the enterprise's strategic goals and ensuring that these goals are aligned with governance and management practices.

By setting clear priorities, time scales, and expectations, the board ensures that the enterprise has a focused and coherent strategy for achieving its desired future state.

COBIT 2019 identifies governance system components, which include processes, organizational structures, policies and procedures, information flows, culture, ethics and behavior, skills, and infrastructure.

"Governance system components are the elements required to build and sustain a governance system. Examples include the risk register, policies, organizational structures, etc."

The risk register is a specific component that provides information used in governance processes.

In COBIT 2019, information is seen as a key enabler because it underpins effective governance and management practices. Information items refer to the data and information that the organization needs to achieve its goals and support decision-making processes. This includes various types of information such as financial data, operational data, compliance reports, and performance metrics.

The COBIT 2019 Framework identifies seven components of a governance system:

Processes:Structured sets of practices and activities to achieve specific objectives and produce a set of outputs in support of achieving overall IT-related goals.

Organizational Structures:Key decision-making entities in an enterprise.

Principles, Policies, and Frameworks:Established rules and guidelines.

Information:All information produced and used by the enterprise, crucial for governance.

Culture, Ethics, and Behavior:Encompasses the values of the enterprise and its employees.

People, Skills, and Competencies:Required for successful completion of all activities and decision-making.

Services, Infrastructure, and Applications:Enabling and supporting the enterprise through its use of technology.

Information itemsfall under the fourth component, "Information," which is necessary for effective governance. Information items ensure that:

Decision-makers have the relevant data to make informed decisions.

There is transparency and accountability in reporting.

The organization can monitor and measure performance against strategic objectives.

Compliance with regulatory and legal requirements is maintained.

COBIT 2019 Design and Implementation Guide References:

COBIT 2019 Framework: Introduction and Methodology, Chapter 5:This chapter details the governance and management objectives and their components, highlighting the importance of information.

COBIT 2019 Design Guide, Chapter 2:This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of the components of a governance system, including information items.

COBIT 2019 Implementation Guide, Chapter 3:This chapter explains how to incorporate various governance system components, such as information items, into the tailored governance system design.

Considering information items is essential because they provide the necessary context and insights for effective governance. By ensuring that information is accurate, timely, and relevant, an organization can better align its IT governance with its overall business objectives, thereby enhancing decision-making, performance tracking, and compliance.

COBIT® 2019 explicitly states that design factors are context-dependent and must be assessed individually for each enterprise. Although both a military defense contractor and a pharmaceutical company operate in regulated environments, the nature, sources, and impact of threats and compliance requirements differ significantly.

A defense contractor faces geopolitical threats, national security regulations, export controls, and classified information risks. A pharmaceutical company, particularly one engaged in genetic research, faces regulatory scrutiny related to clinical trials, patient safety, intellectual property, and ethical compliance.

The Design Guide emphasizes that enterprises operating in different environments will have different threat profiles and compliance drivers, even if both are highly regulated. This difference directly affects governance priorities, focus areas, and capability requirements.

Therefore, the correct explanation is that the design factors would be very different due to the fundamentally different operating environments.

COBIT® 2019 identifies enterprise strategy archetypes as a key design factor for tailoring governance systems. Nonprofit organizations typically prioritize mission continuity, reliability, and predictable service delivery over aggressive growth, innovation, or cost leadership.

The stability strategy archetype aligns with organizations that aim to maintain consistent operations, manage risks prudently, and ensure dependable support for core services. For nonprofits, improving IT service delivery usually means enhancing reliability, availability, and user satisfaction rather than pursuing innovation or expansion.

Cost is always a consideration, but it is not an enterprise strategy archetype in COBIT 2019. Growth and innovation strategies are more applicable to competitive or commercial enterprises seeking market expansion or differentiation.

The Design Guide emphasizes that governance systems must reflect organizational purpose and constraints. A stability-focused strategy drives governance priorities toward service continuity, risk control, and operational effectiveness—making it the most relevant design factor for a nonprofit improving IT service delivery.

The most likely root cause for an enterprise lacking the required skills and competencies to execute an EGIT (Enterprise Governance of IT) implementation program plan is that enterprise training does not include business and management skill development. Effective EGIT implementation requires a blend of technical, business, and management skills.

References in COBIT 2019 Design and Implementation:

COBIT 2019 Framework: Governance and Management Objectives, APO07 (Managed Human Resources):This objective emphasizes the importance of developing skills and competencies, including business and management skills, for successful governance and management of enterprise IT.

COBIT 2019 Implementation Guide, Chapter 3:This chapter outlines the need for comprehensive training programs that address not only technical skills but also business and management capabilities to ensure successful implementation of governance frameworks.

Without proper training that includes business and management skills, staff may be ill-prepared to handle the complexities of EGIT implementation, leading to skill gaps and competency issues.

“…projects become part of the normal development life cycle and should be governed by established program and project management methods.”

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Applying the full governance design workflow and carefully considering all design factors is most important when an enterprise requires a broad, holistic, and comprehensive view of its governance system. This scenario is where the entire spectrum of the governance framework needs to be analyzed and tailored to ensure it meets the enterprise's overall strategic goals and operational needs.

References in COBIT 2019 Design and Implementation:

COBIT 2019 Design Guide, Chapter 2:This chapter elaborates on how design factors influence the creation of a tailored governance system that is comprehensive and aligns with the enterprise's unique context.

COBIT 2019 Framework: Introduction and Methodology, Chapter 4:This chapter discusses the importance of a holistic approach in establishing governance and the necessity of considering all design factors to create a system that encompasses all aspects of enterprise IT and business objectives.

COBIT 2019 Implementation Guide, Chapter 3:This chapter provides steps for implementing a comprehensive governance system, emphasizing the importance of a full governance design workflow to achieve a thorough and effective governance structure.

By following the full governance design workflow, enterprises can ensure that their governance framework is not only comprehensive but also customized to address specific needs, thereby improving alignment, efficiency, and compliance across the organization.

In COBIT 2019 Implementation guidance:

"The Chief Information Officer (CIO) holds responsibility for ensuring the business case is aligned with enterprise objectives and that the program plan is both realistic and achievable, factoring in available resources and capabilities."

The CIO plays a strategic leadership role and has the oversight to balance technology, business needs, risks, and resources. Business process owners and implementation teams contribute, but they do not hold the final accountability for overall feasibility and alignment.

In COBIT 2019, ultimate accountability for governance decisions lies with the governing body or executive committee:

"The executive committee or board is ultimately accountable for the approval of IT governance principles, frameworks, structures, and objectives."

They ensure alignment with enterprise strategy and oversight.

When adapting the goals cascade of the COBIT 2019 framework, an enterprise with a growth strategy is most likely to select the enterprise goal "Portfolio of competitive products and services." This goal aligns with the enterprise’s focus on growth through innovation and market competitiveness.

In COBIT 2019, the goals cascade is used to translate stakeholder needs into specific, actionable goals for IT governance and management. For an enterprise with a growth strategy, focusing on a competitive portfolio ensures that the organization is continually innovating and improving its products and services to capture market share and drive growth.

COBIT 2019 Framework References:

COBIT 2019 Framework: Introduction and Methodology, Chapter 5:Describes the goals cascade and how it aligns enterprise goals with IT-related goals and enablers.

COBIT 2019 Design Guide, Chapter 2:Discusses how to adapt the goals cascade based on the enterprise's strategic objectives, such as growth.

By selecting the goal "Portfolio of competitive products and services," the enterprise can ensure that its IT initiatives support and drive its growth strategy.

The final step in governance system design is to reconcile inherent priority conflicts. This ensures that all conflicting priorities among stakeholders are addressed and resolved to create a cohesive and aligned governance system.

The reconciliation of inherent priority conflicts is a critical final step to ensure that the designed governance system can effectively meet the needs and expectations of all stakeholders. This involves negotiating and balancing different priorities to ensure that the governance objectives are achievable and aligned with the enterprise’s strategic goals.

COBIT 2019 Framework References:

COBIT 2019 Design Guide, Chapter 5:Emphasizes the importance of addressing and reconciling priority conflicts to finalize the governance system design.

COBIT 2019 Implementation Guide, Chapter 7:Discusses the necessity of resolving conflicts and aligning objectives as part of the final steps in the governance system design process.

By reconciling priority conflicts, the enterprise ensures that the governance system is practical, balanced, and capable of delivering the desired outcomes.

The program steering committee is responsible for monitoring the achievement of the overall EGIT (Enterprise Governance of Information and Technology) implementation program plan results, including the achievement of goals and realization of benefits.

The program steering committee provides oversight and governance for the EGIT implementation program. This committee ensures that the program is aligned with strategic objectives, monitors progress, and ensures that the desired benefits are realized. They are accountable for the overall success of the implementation.

COBIT 2019 Framework References:

COBIT 2019 Implementation Guide, Chapter 7:Details the roles and responsibilities of the program steering committee in overseeing the implementation of the governance system.

COBIT 2019 Design Guide, Chapter 4:Emphasizes the importance of having a steering committee to provide strategic direction and oversight for the implementation program.

By having the program steering committee monitor the achievement of the EGIT program plan, the enterprise ensures that there is accountability and alignment with business goals.

The group primarily responsible for setting the overall direction for IT governance implementation is the enterprise executives. Their role is crucial in aligning IT governance with the strategic goals and vision of the organization.

References in COBIT 2019 Design and Implementation:

COBIT 2019 Framework: Governance and Management Objectives, EDM01 (Ensure Governance Framework Setting and Maintenance):This objective discusses the responsibilities of enterprise executives in setting the governance framework's direction.

COBIT 2019 Implementation Guide, Chapter 3:This chapter highlights the role of senior leadership in driving the implementation of IT governance.

Enterprise executives provide the strategic direction and support necessary to ensure that IT governance aligns with the enterprise's overall mission and objectives.

COBIT® 2019 clearly distinguishes between governance responsibilities and management responsibilities. While boards and business owners define direction and objectives, IT management is responsible for evaluating technical feasibility and cost-effectiveness of proposed solutions.

The Governance and Management Objectives guide assigns management the responsibility to plan, build, run, and monitor IT-related activities in alignment with governance direction. This includes assessing whether proposed governance solutions can be implemented with available technology, skills, architecture, and budget constraints.

The board does not assess technical feasibility; it evaluates strategic alignment and value. The finance office supports budgeting but does not determine feasibility. Business owners define requirements but rely on IT management for execution viability.

Therefore, IT management is accountable for confirming that governance solutions are both technically achievable and economically viable, making option A correct.

The COBIT 2019 Design Guide explains:

"The governance system design workflow enables the customization of a governance system by considering all relevant design factors. These factors influence the prioritization of governance and management objectives."

Discarding inconsistent priorities is not a valid approach, and enterprise goals are only one of many design factors.

According to COBIT 2019’s industry context insights:

"Nonprofit organizations typically operate under fewer regulatory constraints compared to heavily regulated sectors like finance or healthcare. However, they are highly cost-sensitive due to budget limitations and donor expectations."

This combination makes nonprofits focused on cost-efficiency and operational value delivery, rather than regulatory compliance. In contrast, financial and healthcare sectors are bound by strict regulatory obligations and compliance oversight.

In the COBIT 2019 Design Guide, it is explained:

"The following steps should be performed when considering this design factor:

• Decide which combination of values best fits the current situation of the enterprise, as per the defined entries in figure 4.8."

This means the organization must assess and rate each value (First Mover, Follower, Slow Adopter) based on its current situation rather than simply selecting one or conducting a risk analysis for each.

According to the COBIT 2019 Governance and Management Objectives:

"Business management is responsible for embedding governance practices into the daily operations of the enterprise, ensuring that policies and processes are followed as standard practice."

This helps institutionalize governance as a routine business activity.

The target audience for the COBIT 2019 Design Guide includes a wide range of direct and indirect stakeholders involved in the governance and management of enterprise IT. This comprehensive approach ensures that the design of governance solutions is inclusive, addressing the needs and perspectives of various parties who are impacted by or have an interest in IT governance.

Detailed Explanation with References:

Direct Stakeholders:

Governance Professionals: These individuals are directly responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining governance systems. They use the COBIT 2019 Design Guide to ensure that governance frameworks are well-structured and aligned with enterprise objectives.

IT Management: Professionals who manage IT services, operations, and resources use the guide to align IT initiatives with governance objectives and to integrate best practices into daily operations.

Indirect Stakeholders:

Assurance Professionals: While not the primary audience, assurance professionals such as internal and external auditors use the guide to understand the governance framework and assess its effectiveness.

Business Leaders and Executives: These stakeholders use the guide to understand how IT governance supports business goals and to ensure that IT investments deliver value.

Regulatory Bodies and Compliance Officers: They refer to the guide to ensure that governance systems meet regulatory requirements and standards.

Other Organizational Functions: Departments such as finance, human resources, and legal may also reference the guide to understand their role in IT governance and how it intersects with their functions.

Conclusion:The correct answer isB. includes a range of direct and indirect stakeholders. This reflects the inclusive nature of the COBIT 2019 Design Guide, which is designed to be used by various stakeholders involved in the governance and management of IT.

The COBIT 2019 Implementation Guide states:

"Effective communication of results and benefits in business impact terms is essential to obtain and maintain executive buy-in and to demonstrate the value of the EGIT initiative."

Business impact communication aligns IT with business strategy and goals, which is crucial for proving and sustaining benefits realization.