CISA Governance and Management of IT Practice Question
Which TWO of the following are key components of an IT governance framework? (Choose two.)
⚠ Common exam trap
CISA often tests the distinction between governance artifacts (strategy, steering committees, policies, oversight bodies) and operational/technical artifacts (topology diagrams, help desk procedures, inventories) — candidates frequently pick the technical-sounding option because it feels concrete.
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 strategy
Option D (IT strategy) is correct because an IT governance framework must define how IT is aligned with and supports the organization's business objectives, and the IT strategy is the core document that establishes this direction, priorities, and value delivery. Option E (IT steering committee) is correct because governance requires a decision-making body with assigned authority and accountability; the IT steering committee provides oversight, prioritization, and resource-allocation decisions across IT initiatives. The remaining options do not belong: a network topology diagram (A) and a hardware inventory (C) are operational/technical artifacts describing infrastructure, not governance mechanisms, and help desk procedures (B) are tactical service-management documentation rather than a governance component.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Network topology diagram
Why it's wrong here
A network topology diagram is technical architecture documentation, not a governance component; governance comprises decision rights, steering committees, and performance measurement. It tempts because architecture artefacts inform risk and control discussions, but they describe infrastructure rather than who directs and oversees IT.
- ✗
Help desk procedures
Why it's wrong here
Help desk procedures are operational service-management documentation, not governance components, which comprise structures such as steering committees, decision rights, and strategic alignment processes. They tempt because ITIL-style process documentation supports service delivery, but governance concerns direction and oversight rather than day-to-day incident handling.
- ✗
Hardware inventory
Why it's wrong here
A hardware inventory is an asset-management record, not a governance component; governance frameworks comprise structures like executive steering committees, defined decision rights, and alignment processes. It tempts because asset registers underpin control and compliance activities, yet they document equipment rather than the direction and oversight of IT.
- ✓
IT strategy
Why this is correct
IT strategy aligns technology investment and delivery with enterprise objectives, giving the governance framework its direction-setting component. It ensures decisions about resources, risk and priorities trace back to business goals rather than isolated technical preferences.
- ✓
IT steering committee
Why this is correct
An IT steering committee provides cross-functional oversight, prioritising IT investments and aligning them with business strategy. It is a recognised structural component of an IT governance framework, satisfying the stem's requirement for a key governance component.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official ISACA exam blueprint
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.