ITIL4-DPI Direct, Plan and Improve Practice Question
An organization adopts a 'Plan' for a major service transformation. What is the most important factor in the success of the 'Plan' phase?
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates often assume that technical perfection or detailed documentation is the most important factor in planning, overlooking the critical role of human engagement, buy-in, and stakeholder alignment.
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
✓
The engagement and alignment of all relevant stakeholders.
The success of the 'Plan' phase is fundamentally linked to the active participation of all stakeholders. A plan created in isolation will lack necessary context and will face significant resistance. By involving those who will execute the plan and those who are affected by it, the organization gains buy-in, identifies potential risks early, and ensures the plan is grounded in reality rather than theoretical assumptions.
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 ability to generate a detailed project plan covering five years.
Why it's wrong here
A five-year plan is rarely useful in modern IT environments due to constant changes. DPI promotes shorter, iterative planning cycles that allow for flexibility and faster value delivery. Focusing on long-term rigidity is contrary to the principle of agility and responsiveness required in today's digital landscape.
- ✓
The engagement and alignment of all relevant stakeholders.
Why this is correct
Stakeholder alignment ensures that the plan reflects the needs and expectations of those involved. It fosters a sense of ownership and reduces resistance, which are crucial for the successful execution of any major change. Without this alignment, even the most technically perfect plan will likely fail to gain traction.
- ✗
The use of the most expensive and advanced software tools.
Why it's wrong here
Tooling is an enabler, not a strategy. Investing in expensive software without a clear plan or stakeholder engagement is a recipe for failure. The planning process must focus on the 'why' and 'how' of the transformation first, with tools selected only when they are clearly aligned with the objectives.
- ✗
The total elimination of all potential risks before execution.
Why it's wrong here
Risk elimination is impossible. The goal of the 'Plan' phase is to identify and mitigate risks to an acceptable level. Trying to remove every risk creates paralysis and prevents innovation. Successful planning involves acknowledging risks and creating contingency strategies to manage them effectively during the execution of the project.
About these practice questions
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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 PeopleCert/AXELOS exam blueprint
This ITIL4-DPI practice question is part of Courseiva's free PeopleCert/AXELOS 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 ITIL4-DPI exam.