COBIT 2019 Foundation Training in Zurich

The COBIT 2019 Foundation course is a two-day programme designed for professionals who want to understand the core concepts, principles, terminology, and implementation approach of the COBIT framework for the governance and management of enterprise Information and Technology.

COBIT provides a structured approach for aligning information and technology with enterprise objectives and for creating an effective governance system around the use of I&T.

Throughout the course, participants explore the main structure of COBIT 2019 and its key areas, including:

• Framework introduction
• Principles
• Governance system and components
• Governance and management objectives
• Performance management
• Designing a tailored governance system
• Business case
• Implementation

Participants learn that COBIT is more than a control framework. It provides a comprehensive governance model that connects stakeholder needs, enterprise goals, governance components, management objectives, and measurable performance.

The programme also prepares learners for the COBIT 2019 Foundation examination.

There are no mandatory prerequisites for attending this course.

However, previous knowledge or experience in the following areas may be useful:

• IT Service Management
• IT Governance
• Risk Management
• Compliance
• Internal Control
• Information Security
• Enterprise IT Management

A background in service management is preferred but not essential.

By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

• Identify the target audience for COBIT 2019
• Explain the context, benefits, and reasons for using COBIT
• Describe the COBIT product architecture
• Explain how COBIT aligns with other frameworks, standards, and bodies of knowledge
• Understand the difference between Governance System Principles and Governance Framework Principles
• Describe the components of a governance system
• Explain the overall structure of the Goals Cascade
• Recall the 40 Governance and Management Objectives
• Explain the purpose of the Governance and Management Objectives
• Describe the relationship between objectives and governance components
• Understand COBIT Performance Management from capability and maturity perspectives
• Explain how a tailored governance system can be designed using COBIT
• Describe the main elements of a COBIT business case
• Recall the phases of the COBIT implementation approach
• Explain the relationship between the COBIT Design Guide and Implementation Guide
• Prepare for the COBIT 2019 Foundation examination

Module 1: Course Introduction

This module introduces COBIT 2019, the overall course structure, and the terminology used throughout the framework.

Topics include:

• What is COBIT?
• Purpose of COBIT
• Typical use cases
• I&T Governance
• Difference between Governance and Management
• Course objectives and structure

Module 2: Framework Introduction

This module introduces the overall COBIT 2019 framework.

Topics include:

• COBIT 2019 framework overview
• Target audience
• Key benefits of COBIT
• COBIT product architecture
• Alignment with other frameworks and standards
• Connecting enterprise goals with I&T objectives

Participants explore why COBIT is widely used as a reference framework for enterprise governance of information and technology.

Module 3: Principles

This module examines the principles that underpin COBIT 2019.

Topics include:

• Governance System Principles
• Governance Framework Principles
• Stakeholder value
• Holistic governance
• Dynamic governance systems
• Alignment with enterprise needs
• End-to-end governance
• Flexible governance frameworks
• Open and aligned architecture

Participants learn how the principles guide the design and operation of a governance system.

Module 4: Governance System and Components

This module explains the components that together form a COBIT governance system.

Topics include:

• Governance system structure
• Governance components
• Processes
• Organisational structures
• Principles, policies, and procedures
• Information
• Culture, ethics, and behaviour
• People, skills, and competencies
• Services, infrastructure, and applications

Participants examine how these components operate together as an integrated governance system.

Module 5: Governance and Management Objectives

This module focuses on the governance and management objectives that form a major part of COBIT 2019.

Topics include:

• Governance objectives
• Management objectives
• The 40 Governance and Management Objectives
• Objective purpose statements
• Governance versus management
• Relationship between objectives and governance components

Goals Cascade

This section explains how stakeholder needs are translated into enterprise goals, alignment goals, and relevant governance and management objectives.

Topics include:

• Stakeholder needs
• Enterprise goals
• Alignment goals
• Governance and Management Objectives
• Goals Cascade structure
• Linking goals across the organisation

Module 6: Performance Management

This module examines how performance can be measured and assessed using COBIT.

Topics include:

• COBIT Performance Management
• Capability perspective
• Maturity perspective
• Performance measurement
• Objective assessment
• Capability levels
• Maturity assessment

Participants learn how governance and management processes can be evaluated from both capability and maturity perspectives.

Module 7: Designing a Tailored Governance System

COBIT does not prescribe a single governance model for every organisation. This module examines how the framework can be adapted to organisational needs.

Topics include:

• Tailored governance systems
• Design factors
• Enterprise strategy
• Enterprise goals
• Risk profile
• I&T-related issues
• Threat landscape
• Compliance requirements
• Technology adoption
• Sourcing models
• Implementation methods

Participants explore how governance can be tailored according to organisational size, strategy, sector, risk profile, and operating model.

Module 8: Business Case

This module focuses on building the justification for a COBIT-based governance initiative.

Topics include:

• Purpose of a business case
• Identifying current problems
• Expected benefits
• Risk and cost considerations
• Stakeholder involvement
• Value proposition for governance improvement
• Implementation justification

Participants learn how governance improvement initiatives can be positioned in terms of measurable organisational value.

Module 9: Implementation

This module examines how COBIT can be introduced and implemented within an organisation.

Topics include:

• COBIT implementation lifecycle
• Implementation phases
• Current-state assessment
• Target-state definition
• Gap analysis
• Improvement planning
• Implementation execution
• Monitoring and review
• Continuous improvement

The module also covers:

• COBIT Design Guide
• COBIT Implementation Guide
• Relationship between design and implementation activities

COBIT 2019 Foundation Exam Preparation

The final part of the programme reinforces the key areas required for the Foundation examination.

Revision areas include:

• Core terminology
• Governance versus management
• COBIT principles
• Governance components
• The 40 objectives
• Performance management
• Design factors
• Implementation lifecycle

By the end of the course, participants will not only understand the COBIT 2019 framework conceptually, but will also have a clearer view of how it can be applied to enterprise I&T governance and management.