Which Dimension Addresses Single Supplier Risk?
An IT service manager is reviewing a service that consistently fails to meet uptime targets. The technology is reliable and staff are skilled, but the service relies on a single supplier for critical components. Which dimension should the manager investigate?
Quick Answer
The answer is the Partners and Suppliers dimension. This is correct because the scenario describes a single point of failure in the supply chain, where a lack of supplier diversity creates a direct risk to service availability. In ITIL 4, the Partners and Suppliers dimension specifically addresses dependencies on external vendors, contracts, and the risks associated with over-reliance on one source. On the ITIL 4 Foundation exam, this question tests your ability to map a real-world operational risk to the correct dimension, often using a trap where learners mistakenly choose the Information and Technology dimension due to the mention of technology being reliable. The key distinction is that the failure stems from supplier concentration, not the technology itself. A helpful memory tip is to think of the acronym P-S-R: Partners and Suppliers handle Risk from single sourcing.
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is that candidates may focus on the technology or people because the question mentions 'technology is reliable' and 'staff are skilled,' but the real issue is the external dependency, which is a classic Partners and Suppliers dimension concern.
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
✓
Partners and Suppliers
The Partners and Suppliers dimension focuses on external dependencies, contracts, and third-party relationships that impact service delivery. Since the technology and staff are reliable but the service fails due to reliance on a single supplier for critical components, the manager must investigate this dimension to address supplier risk, contract terms, or alternative sourcing.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Information and Technology
Why it's wrong here
Technology is reliable.
- ✗
Value Streams and Processes
Why it's wrong here
Processes may be fine.
- ✓
Partners and Suppliers
Why this is correct
Single supplier dependency is a partner/supplier concern.
- ✗
Organizations and People
Why it's wrong here
Staff skills are fine.
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Same concept, more angles
1 more way this is tested on ITIL4F
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. An organization decides to outsource its IT support to a third-party provider. Which ITIL 4 dimension is primarily affected by this decision?
medium- A.Value Streams and Processes
- ✓ B.Partners and Suppliers
- C.Organizations and People
- D.Information and Technology
Why B: The decision to outsource IT support directly involves engaging a third-party provider, which falls under the 'Partners and Suppliers' dimension of ITIL 4. This dimension covers relationships with external organizations that provide services or resources, including suppliers, manufacturers, and vendors. The other dimensions (Value Streams and Processes, Organizations and People, Information and Technology) are affected indirectly but are not the primary focus of an outsourcing decision.
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This ITIL4F practice question is part of Courseiva's free PeopleCert 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 ITIL4F exam.