The answer is that the framework is integrated with enterprise governance and supports strategic objectives. This is correct because IT governance framework alignment with business objectives requires the framework to function as an extension of overall enterprise governance, ensuring that IT decisions directly enable strategic goals and satisfy regulatory mandates rather than operating in isolation. On the CISA exam, this concept tests your understanding of governance versus management—a common trap is confusing operational or technical details (like incident response or cost reduction) with board-level oversight, which must focus on strategic integration. Remember that governance is about direction and monitoring, not execution. A useful memory tip is “Governance aligns, management executes”—if a choice focuses on technical efficiency or cost-cutting alone, it is likely a management concern, not a governance priority.
CISA Governance and Management of IT Practice Question
This CISA practice question tests your understanding of governance and management of it. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A large financial institution is evaluating the effectiveness of its IT governance framework. The board has requested a review to ensure alignment with business objectives and regulatory requirements. Which of the following is the MOST important factor for the board to consider when assessing the IT governance framework?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The framework is integrated with enterprise governance and supports strategic objectives.
Option B is correct because a well-defined IT governance framework must integrate with enterprise governance to ensure alignment with business objectives and regulatory requirements. Option A is wrong because focusing solely on cost reduction may conflict with strategic priorities. Option C is wrong because incident response is operational, not governance-level. Option D is wrong because technical efficiency is a management concern, not board-level governance.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✓
The framework is integrated with enterprise governance and supports strategic objectives.
Why this is correct
Integration with enterprise governance ensures IT supports business goals and regulatory compliance.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The framework includes a detailed incident response plan.
Why it's wrong here
Incident response is operational, not a board-level governance matter.
✗
The framework focuses on achieving high technical efficiency.
Why it's wrong here
Technical efficiency is an operational management issue, not a governance priority.
✗
The framework minimizes overall IT costs.
Why it's wrong here
Cost minimization is a tactical goal, not the primary board-level governance consideration.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the CISA exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which CISA exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Governance and Management of IT — This question tests Governance and Management of IT — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The framework is integrated with enterprise governance and supports strategic objectives. — Option B is correct because a well-defined IT governance framework must integrate with enterprise governance to ensure alignment with business objectives and regulatory requirements. Option A is wrong because focusing solely on cost reduction may conflict with strategic priorities. Option C is wrong because incident response is operational, not governance-level. Option D is wrong because technical efficiency is a management concern, not board-level governance.
What should I do if I get this CISA question wrong?
Identify which CISA exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
This CISA practice question is part of Courseiva's free ISACA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the CISA exam.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.