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CISA Practice Question: An IT auditor is reviewing the alignment of IT…
An IT auditor is reviewing the alignment of IT with business strategy. Which THREE of the following are indicators of effective IT strategy alignment? (Select THREE.)
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
IT steering committee includes business leaders
Strategic alignment is demonstrated when IT initiatives support business objectives, governance mechanisms are in place, and IT performance is measured.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
IT budget is determined solely by IT department
Why it's wrong here
A budget set solely by IT removes business stakeholders from funding decisions, so spend reflects technical preference rather than strategic priorities. It is tempting because IT-led budgeting can appear efficient and accountable, and it would be correct for an internal service desk recovering costs from chargeback.
- ✗
IT department has its own independent strategy
Why it's wrong here
An independent IT strategy severs the link between technology investment and business objectives, so IT priorities cannot be traced to organisational goals. It is tempting because autonomy can appear to signal mature IT governance, and it would suit a separate subsidiary or outsourced provider operating under its own commercial mandate.
- ✓
IT steering committee includes business leaders
Why this is correct
Business leaders sitting on the IT steering committee provide the shared decision-making forum where IT direction is set jointly with the business. This satisfies the alignment indicator by evidencing business input into IT governance, letting auditors confirm strategy is not set by IT in isolation.
- ✓
IT balanced scorecard includes business outcome metrics
Why this is correct
Including business outcome metrics in the IT balanced scorecard measures IT performance against business results, not just technical uptime. This satisfies the alignment indicator by evidencing that IT success is defined in business terms, giving auditors measurable proof that IT objectives map to strategic goals.
- ✓
IT projects are prioritized based on business value
Why this is correct
Prioritising IT projects by business value directly demonstrates strategic alignment: investment decisions trace to business outcomes rather than technical preference. It satisfies the stem's alignment indicator by showing governance translates business strategy into funded IT workstreams, which auditors can evidence through portfolio and approval records.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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