CobiT

Governors govern

I've said it before on this blog a number of times but it bears repeating: governors govern.

Why COBIT wins in a showdown with ITIL

ImageI like ITIL. I use it quite a bit. But it puzzles me why ITIL is the default source of bestgood, generally accepted practice for IT processespractices. Often people talk as if it is the only source.

My default source of IT good practice is COBIT. It wins over ITIL, hands down.

COBIT 5 copyright terms confirmed. And the name may be used.

Not long ago, I blogged about how COBIT 5 looked like it would be a much more accessible framework for consultants to use, without the restraints of ITIL. It is true. Castle ITIL should take note, but will they?

COBIT 5 will be released in April

ISACA have announced to members that COBIT 5 will be released in "mid-April".

The release includes three publications:

  • COBIT 5 (Framework)
  • COBIT 5: Enabling Processes
  • COBIT 5 Implementation

...and a "toolkit", an undefined "set of resources". I smell spreadsheets.

Cost to ISACA members for the pdf version? Nada. Free. Suck on that Cabinet Office/TSO/itSMF.

And ISACA is providing a separate download server for members so as not to have to compete for bandwidth with the great unwashed masses.

The difference between ITIL and COBIT for consultants: four words

As a consultant, COBIT is my first-choice body of knowledge for my engagements. I go to it first* to assess, to frame, to define, to justify, to audit. I turn to ITIL second, when I need more detail, or when I need the authority of the holy of holies to justify what I suggest. There are two reasons for this:

COBIT 5: muddying governance and management

Execution always falls short of expectation. I'm still pondering my impressions of COBIT5 - more on that later - but one thing is clear: they haven't fully fixed the governance/management thing. [Update: I didn't get this right, see comments below]

A study in governance: comparing Castle ITIL with ISACA

It is always illuminating to use COBIT as a benchmark to study ITIL. In recent days, ISACA has announced another solid Board, whilst itSMF continues its infighting (see below), APMG expands its empire, TSO goes its own merry way unanswerable, and OGC tightens control over - and profit from - what everyone thought was public property (blog coming if I can ever unravel it all).

COBIT5 another step closer... to ITIL

COBIT5 is coming along. The first(?) development workshop is over and the next is in August, not far away! For those of you who haven't got your head around the next generation of COBIT, you need to. I grow weary reiterating that COBIT is not for auditors. COBIT is good for management, governance-enablement, design, assessment... and audit. [COBIT is the first tool I reach for, not ITIL]. It is marching into ITIL's space with superior fire power. So wake up.

COBIT is a useful tool for much more than Audit

When I presented my "layman's view of COBIT" to the local chapter of itSMF some time back, the main point I wanted to make was that COBIT has many practical uses - only one of them is audit. This is reflected in the changing makeup of the ISACA membership: auditors are now a minority.

COBIT 5 draft Design document available for public comment

ISACA have published a draft design document of COBIT 5 for your comment. If you have an interest in IT management, ITSM or governance you should read it and provide feedback. Here's what I will be saying. What about you?

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