In the COBIT 2019 framework, after selecting the relevant alignment goals, the CIO's next priority should be identifying and understanding the design factors. Design factors are crucial as they influence the tailoring of the governance system to align with the specific needs and context of the enterprise.
The COBIT 2019 Design Guide emphasizes that design factors impact the governance and management objectives and help in customizing the COBIT framework. The selection and analysis of design factors ensure that the governance system is practical and relevant to the enterprise's environment.
Design Factors in COBIT 2019 include:
Enterprise Strategy:Different strategies (e.g., growth, innovation, cost leadership) require different governance approaches.
Enterprise Goals:Aligning IT-related goals with overall enterprise goals.
Risk Profile:Understanding the risk appetite and tolerance.
I&T-Related Issues:Identifying issues specific to information and technology.
Threat Landscape:Assessing external and internal threats.
Compliance Requirements:Meeting legal, regulatory, and contractual obligations.
Role of IT:Determining IT's role in the enterprise (e.g., support, factory, turnaround, strategic).
Sourcing Model:Whether IT services are in-house, outsourced, or a combination.
IT Implementation Methods:Traditional, agile, or hybrid methods used in IT initiatives.
Technology Adoption Strategy:How quickly the enterprise adopts new technologies.
Enterprise Size:The size of the enterprise can affect governance and management practices.
The process of tailoring COBIT involves:
Analyzing Design Factors:Understanding and documenting the enterprise's design factors.
Designing the Tailored Governance System:Based on the analyzed design factors, select and customize the governance and management objectives.
COBIT 2019 Implementation Guide References:
COBIT 2019 Framework: Introduction and Methodology, Chapter 4.This chapter provides an overview of the COBIT goals cascade and the importance of aligning enterprise goals with IT-related goals.
COBIT 2019 Design Guide, Chapter 2.This chapter describes design factors in detail and their role in tailoring the governance system.
COBIT 2019 Implementation Guide, Chapter 3.This chapter outlines the steps for implementing a tailored COBIT governance system, emphasizing the importance of understanding and leveraging design factors.
Thus, the CIO should prioritize understanding the design factors to ensure the tailored COBIT governance system aligns with the enterprise's specific context and requirements. This approach ensures the governance system is both effective and efficient, addressing the unique challenges and opportunities of the enterprise.
