Question 1

Which of the following components of a governance system are MOST likely to be underestimated as factors in the success of governance and management activities?

Accepted Answer

A

Explanation: Culture, ethics and behavior are the most likely components of a governance system to be underestimated as factors in the success of governance and management activities. Culture, ethics and behavior are the shared values, beliefs, norms, and attitudes that influence how people behave and interact within an enterprise. They affect the motivation, commitment, collaboration, and performance of people, as well as the trust and reputation of the enterprise. Culture, ethics and behavior are one of the seven enablers of a governance system, as defined by COBIT.12 Reference: COBIT 2019 Framework: Introduction and Methodology, COBIT 2019 Framework: Governance System

Question 2

The value that I&T delivers should be:

Accepted Answer

A

Explanation: The value that I&T delivers should be aligned directly with the values on which the business is focused. This is based on the principle of alignment, which states that “governance of enterprise I&T should ensure that I&T-enabled investments are aligned with the enterprise strategy and deliver the expected benefits” . Value delivery is not only about maintaining or increasing value from existing I&T investments, but also about ensuring that new investments support the strategic objectives and stakeholder needs of the enterprise.

Question 3

When tailoring COBIT 2019 to enterprise requirements, which of the following is the PRIMARY objective of preparing a risk profile?

Accepted Answer

D

Explanation: The risk profile is a design factor that describes how an enterprise identifies, assesses, responds to, monitors, and reports on information and technology risks. The risk profile helps to determine the level of risk appetite and tolerance that an enterprise has for its information and technology activities, as well as the level of control and assurance that is required for its governance framework. When tailoring COBIT 2019 to enterprise requirements, the primary objective of preparing a risk profile is to identify areas of risk that exceed risk appetite. The risk appetite is the amount and type of risk that an enterprise is willing to accept in pursuit of its objectives. The risk appetite provides a basis for defining the risk criteria, thresholds, indicators, and responses that will be used in the risk profile process. By identifying areas of risk that exceed risk appetite, an enterprise can prioritize its governance objectives, processes, practices, roles, structures, and metrics according to the level of risk exposure and impact. This will also help to align the governance framework with the enterprise’s strategy and objectives. Reference: : COBIT 2019 Design Guide: page 41-43 : COBIT 2019 Framework: Introduction and Methodology: page 28-29

Question 4

Which of the following l&T implementation methods requites the HIGHEST level of participation by users at multiple stages of software development?

Accepted Answer

D

Explanation: The IT implementation methods design factor describes how an enterprise develops, delivers, and maintains its IT solutions. There are four IT implementation methods defined in COBIT 2019: traditional, agile, DevOps, and hybrid. Each method has different implications for the governance and management of information and technology in terms of focus areas, processes, practices, roles, structures, and metrics. The IT implementation method that requires the highest level of participation by users at multiple stages of software development is agile. Agile is an IT implementation method that emphasizes flexibility, adaptability, collaboration, customer satisfaction, and value delivery. One of the characteristics of agile is that it involves frequent and direct interaction with users throughout the software development life cycle, from requirements gathering to testing to deployment. Users are considered as key stakeholders who provide feedback, input, validation, verification, acceptance, and evaluation of the IT solutions. Users are also involved in prioritizing the features and functionalities of the IT solutions based on their needs and expectations. Agile aims to deliver IT solutions that meet user requirements and expectations in a timely and cost-effective manner. Reference: : COBIT 2019 Design Guide, page 43-45 : COBIT 2019 Process Reference Guide: Governance and Management Objectives, page 67-69

Question 5

Which of the following is IMPERATIVE to the successful implementation of IT governance?

Accepted Answer

C

Explanation: According to the COBIT 2019 Framework: Introduction and Methodology, one of the imperative factors to the successful implementation of IT governance is that IT governance is sponsored by executives. Executive sponsorship ensures that IT governance has sufficient authority, resources and support from the top management of the organization. Executive sponsorship also demonstrates commitment and leadership for IT governance, and fosters a culture of accountability and collaboration among stakeholders.3, p. 33-34 Reference: 3: COBIT 2019 Framework: Introduction and Methodology

Question 6

When refining the scope of a new IT governance system during the design phase, which of the following is the MOST significant driver to be considered?

Accepted Answer

C

Explanation: According to the COBIT 2019 Implementation Guide: Implementing an Information and Technology Governance Solution, one of the most significant drivers to be considered when refining the scope of a new IT governance system during the design phase is cloud versus on-premises services. This driver reflects the different delivery models of I&T services, such as software as a service (SaaS), platform as a service (PaaS), infrastructure as a service (IaaS) or on-premises solutions. The choice of delivery model has implications for governance objectives, roles, responsibilities, policies, processes, controls, risks and performance measures.5, p. 40-41 Reference: 5: COBIT 2019 Implementation Guide: Implementing an Information and Technology Governance Solution

Question 7

Which of the following roles should be involved when nominating key program roles to create the appropriate governance environment?

Accepted Answer

D

Explanation: The key program roles are the roles that are responsible for leading, directing, managing, supporting, and executing the EGIT implementation program. The nomination of these roles is a critical step in creating the appropriate governance environment for the program. One of the roles that should be involved in this nomination process is the board and executives, who are the highest- level governance body and decision makers in an enterprise. The board and executives provide strategic direction, oversight, guidance, and approval for the EGIT implementation program. They also ensure that the program is aligned with the enterprise’s vision, mission, values, strategy, goals, and objectives. The board and executives also appoint or endorse other key program roles such as the program sponsor, program manager, program steering committee, change champion network, etc. Reference: : COBIT 2019 Implementation Guide, page 37-38 : COBIT 2019 Framework: Governance and Management Objectives, page 19-20

Question 8

Which of the following should be involved in resolving conflicting priorities in order to finalize the governance system design?

Accepted Answer

D

Explanation: The management of the IT function is the function that leads and manages the information and technology function in an enterprise, as well as supports and enables the information and technology governance. The management of the IT function includes roles such as CIO, IT managers, IT process owners, IT service owners, etc. The management of the IT function is responsible for resolving conflicting priorities in order to finalize the governance system design. The governance system design is the process of designing and implementing a governance system for an enterprise using COBIT 2019. The governance system design involves tailoring the COBIT 2019 components such as principles, enablers, goals, processes, practices, roles, structures, metrics etc., according to the enterprise’s context and needs. The governance system design also involves considering various design factors such as enterprise strategy archetype; enterprise goals; IT-related goals; risk profile; IT deployment; threat landscape; compliance requirement; operating environment; size of enterprise; culture; stakeholders; etc., that influence how an enterprise designs and implements its governance system using COBIT 2019. By resolving conflicting priorities in order to finalize the governance system design, the management of the IT function ensures that the governance system is appropriate for the enterprise’s strategy objectives performance risks issues opportunities etc., that it delivers value and benefits to the enterprise and its stakeholders that it aligns with the relevant standards guidelines regulations best practices etc., that it meets stakeholder requirements and expectations etc34 Reference: 3: COBIT 2019 Framework: Governance and Management Objectives: page 20-21 4: COBIT 2019 Design Guide: page 33-48

Question 9

The alignment goal titled "Knowledge, expertise and initiatives for business innovation" is aligned to which IT balanced scorecard (BSC) dimension?

Accepted Answer

A

Explanation: The alignment goal titled “Knowledge, expertise and initiatives for business innovation” is aligned to the Learning and Growth dimension of the IT balanced scorecard (BSC). The IT BSC is a tool that translates the IT-related goals into a set of performance indicators that can be measured and monitored. The Learning and Growth dimension focuses on the capabilities and skills of the IT staff, as well as the culture and climate that foster innovation and learning. The alignment goal is based on the COBIT 2019 Framework5, page 38. Reference: 5: COBIT 2019 Framework | Digital | English

Question 10

What is the BEST way to determine whether IT governance is achieving intended outcomes one year after implementation?

Accepted Answer

A

Explanation: The best way to determine whether IT governance is achieving intended outcomes one year after implementation is to evaluate performance measurements identified in the business case. The business case is a document that defines the objectives, benefits, costs, risks, and success factors of IT governance implementation, and specifies the key performance indicators (KPIs) and target values that will be used to measure and monitor the outcomes. By comparing the actual performance results with the expected results, the enterprise can assess the effectiveness and efficiency of IT governance and identify any gaps or issues that need to be addressed. The way is based on the COBIT 2019 Implementation Guide1, page 32. Reference: 1: COBIT 2019 Implementation Guide | Digital | English

Question 11

Which of the following is an enterprise goal according to COBIT?

Accepted Answer

C

Explanation: Business service continuity and availability 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 ensuring that critical business processes and information are available at a level acceptable to the enterprise in the event of a disruption or disaster, and that recovery plans are in place to restore normal operations as soon as possible. The goal is based on the COBIT 2019 Framework3, page 36. Reference: 3: COBIT 2019 Framework | Digital | English

Question 12

Which of the following is the PRIMARY objective of implementing the process of managed innovation?

Accepted Answer

C

Explanation: The primary objective of implementing the process of managed innovation is to improve customer experience by identifying and realizing new opportunities for business value creation from information and technology. This process involves scanning the external environment for emerging trends and technologies, engaging with stakeholders to understand their needs and expectations, evaluating and prioritizing innovative ideas, and executing and monitoring innovation initiatives. The process is based on the COBIT 2019 Design Guide1, page 75. Reference: 1: COBIT 2019 Design Guide | Digital | English

Question 13

Which of the following involves numeric mapping tables created for each of the design factors?

Accepted Answer

B

Explanation: A quantitative approach involves numeric mapping tables created for each of the design factors. According to the COBIT 2019 Design Guide, a quantitative approach is one of the four possible approaches for designing a governance system based on the design factors. A design factor is a characteristic of the enterprise that influences how the governance system should be designed. A quantitative approach uses numeric values to represent the impact of each design factor on the governance components, such as processes, organizational structures, roles, and practices. The numeric values are derived from mapping tables that show how each design factor affects each governance component. The mapping tables are based on empirical data, expert judgment, or best practices. The quantitative approach helps to provide a more objective and consistent way of designing a governance system that is tailored to the enterprise context and needs. Reference: : COBIT 2019 Design Guide: Designing an Information & Technology Governance Solution, page 54 : COBIT 2019 Design Guide: Designing an Information & Technology Governance Solution, page 56

Question 14

Which of the following is an important component for an enterprise strategy archetype of cost leadership as defined by COBIT 2019?

Accepted Answer

D

Explanation: An important component for an enterprise strategy archetype of cost leadership as defined by COBIT 2019 is support for the portfolio management role with an investment office. According to the COBIT 2019 Design Guide, cost leadership is one of the four generic enterprise strategy archetypes that describe how enterprises compete in their markets. Cost leadership means that an enterprise aims to offer the lowest prices for its products or services by minimizing its costs and maximizing its efficiency. One of the design factors that influence the governance system for a cost leadership strategy is the organizational structures. The COBIT 2019 Design Guide suggests that a cost leadership strategy requires a centralized and standardized organizational structure that supports the portfolio management role with an investment office. The portfolio management role is responsible for selecting, prioritizing, and balancing the IT investments that align with the enterprise strategy and objectives. The investment office is a function that assists the portfolio management role by providing financial analysis, reporting, and decision support. The support for the portfolio management role with an investment office helps to ensure that the IT investments are optimized for cost and value. Reference: : COBIT 2019 Design Guide: Designing an Information & Technology Governance Solution, page 48 2 : COBIT 2019 Design Guide: Designing an Information & Technology Governance Solution, page 51

Question 15

Which of the following is an important component for an enterprise strategy archetype of growth/acquisition as defined by COBIT 2019?

Accepted Answer

A

Explanation: The enterprise strategy archetype is a design factor that describes how an enterprise uses information and technology to achieve its goals and objectives. There are six enterprise strategy archetypes defined in COBIT 2019: growth/acquisition; operational excellence; customer intimacy; product leadership; data-driven; innovation-driven. Each archetype has different implications for the governance and management of information and technology in terms of focus areas, processes, practices, roles, structures, and metrics. One of the important components for an enterprise strategy archetype of growth/acquisition is support for the portfolio management role with an investment office. Growth/acquisition is a strategy archetype that emphasizes expanding market share, revenue, customer base, or product range through organic growth or acquisition of other businesses or assets. This strategy archetype requires effective portfolio management of information and technology investments and initiatives that support business growth or acquisition objectives. Portfolio management involves selecting, prioritizing, balancing, monitoring, evaluating, and optimizing information and technology investments and initiatives based on their alignment with business strategy, value delivery potential, risk exposure, resource availability, interdependencies, etc. Portfolio management also involves ensuring that information and technology investments and initiatives are integrated with business processes, systems, structures, culture, etc., especially in case of mergers or acquisitions. Support for the portfolio management role with an investment office means providing a dedicated function or unit that assists the portfolio manager in performing portfolio management activities such as planning, analysis, decision making, reporting, etc., as well as providing guidance, tools, methods, frameworks, standards, best practices etc., for portfolio management5 Reference: 5: COBIT 2019 Design Guide: page 35-36 : COBIT 2019 Process Reference Guide: page 59-61

Free ISACA COBIT-2019 Actual Exam Questions