Ace Your COBIT-Design-and-Implementation COBIT Exam

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.

When determining the initial scope of a governance system, one of the key considerations is thecurrent I&T-related issues of the enterprise. Understanding and addressing these issues ensures that the governance system is relevant and focused on the areas that need the most attention and improvement. This approach aligns with the practical and contextual nature of COBIT 2019, which emphasizes tailoring governance solutions to the specific needs and circumstances of the enterprise.

Detailed Explanation with References:

Current I&T-Related Issues (Option D):

COBIT 2019 stresses the importance of understanding the specific issues and challenges an enterprise is facing in its current I&T environment. These issues could include inefficiencies, security vulnerabilities, compliance gaps, misalignment with business objectives, or any other problems impacting the performance and value delivery of IT.

Addressing these issues directly in the initial scope ensures that the governance system can provide immediate value by targeting the most critical areas. This focus helps in demonstrating early successes and building credibility for the governance initiative.

According to the COBIT 2019 Implementation Guide, understanding current issues allows the organization to prioritize actions that will have the most significant impact on improving governance and management practices.

Compliance Requirements (Option A):

Compliance requirements are essential and need to be considered when designing a governance system, but they are part of a broader context rather than the key initial driver. They ensure that the governance system meets regulatory and legal standards but do not necessarily prioritize the most urgent internal issues.

Size of the Enterprise (Option B):

The size of the enterprise influences the complexity and scalability of the governance system but is not a primary consideration for the initial scope. The focus should be on specific needs and issues rather than just the size.

Role of IT within the Enterprise (Option C):

The strategic role of IT is crucial for determining the overall governance approach, but it is more about aligning IT with business goals rather than pinpointing specific initial issues to address. It informs the design but does not drive the immediate focus of the initial scope.

Conclusion:The correct answer isD. Current I&T-related issues of the enterprise. Focusing on these issues ensures that the governance system addresses the most pressing needs and delivers tangible improvements, which is a fundamental principle in the COBIT 2019 framework.

The COBIT 2019 Design Guide provides archetypes of enterprise strategies. For "Client Service/Stability":

"The services, infrastructure, and applications component plays a critical role in supporting a strategy focused on stability and reliable service delivery."

This component ensures operational reliability, a key aspect of the stability archetype.

COBIT 2019 Design Guide suggests:

"When prioritizing governance and management objectives, conflicts or inconsistencies may arise. These should be resolved with input from senior management or IT leadership to align with enterprise priorities."

Management of the IT function plays a key role in resolving such conflicts, especially at the design finalization stage.