The foundational and primary step in planning any IT governance implementation is to identify and understand the business drivers. These drivers—such as market pressures, regulatory requirements, or strategic objectives—dictate the "why" behind the initiative. A clear understanding of business drivers ensures that the governance framework is directly aligned with the enterprise's strategic goals and addresses its most critical needs. All subsequent planning activities, including defining performance indicators, securing funding, and assigning responsibilities, are contingent upon this initial alignment with the business's core purpose and direction.

A. Assigning decision-making responsibilities is a critical component of a governance framework, but it can only be done effectively after the goals and scope, which are derived from business drivers, have been established.

B. Obtaining necessary business funding requires a compelling business case. This case must demonstrate how the governance initiative will support and add value to the business, which is articulated by first identifying the business drivers.

C. Defining key business performance indicators (KPIs) is essential for measuring success, but these metrics must be linked to business goals, which are formulated in response to the identified business drivers.

1. ISACA. (2020). CGEIT Review Manual

8th Edition. Section 1.3

Governance Implementation

Phase 1: What Are the Drivers? This section explicitly states that the first phase of the implementation life cycle is to "Identify current business and IT-related issues

or 'pain points

' and triggers

and create a desire to change at executive management levels." This is synonymous with identifying business drivers.

2. ISACA. (2018). COBIT 2019 Framework: Introduction and Methodology. Page 29

Figure 3.1

"COBIT Goals Cascade." The cascade

which is the mechanism for aligning IT with enterprise goals

begins with "Stakeholder Drivers and Needs

" reinforcing that understanding these drivers is the starting point for governance.

3. ISACA. (2018). COBIT 2019 Framework: Governance and Management Objectives. Page 19

Section 3.1

"Governance and Management Objectives." The entire framework is designed to help enterprises achieve their objectives

which are derived from stakeholder needs and business drivers. The process starts with understanding these drivers to set appropriate goals.