ISACA releases GEIT implementation guide

A guide for the implementation of governance of enterprise IT (GEIT) has been released by global IT association ISACA.

‘Getting started with GEIT: A primer for implementing governance of enterprise IT’ is intended for those who are new to GEIT or have been tasked with the implementation of a GEIT structure.

The guide contends that GEIT shifts IT’s role within an organisation from passive to proactive, positioning the IT function as integral to defining and achieving business goals.

It is primarily concerned with organising the IT resources of an enterprise to ensure that stakeholder needs are met. Ideally, it brings alignment among high-level strategic objectives, operational-level activities and work outcomes.

The benefits that organisations can expect from successful GEIT implementation include lower costs, greater control, more effective use of resources, and better strategic alignment and risk management.

The guide notes the importance of developing a business case to achieve the internal support required to approve implementation. In order to do this, it is necessary to highlight the business benefits arising from GEIT. Once implemented, it can be used to address gaps resulting from changing stakeholder or regulatory requirements.

COBIT 5, a business framework for the governance and management of enterprise IT, defines several steps for the implementation of GEIT. These include: initiate the program, define problems and opportunities, define road map, plan program, execute plan, realise benefits and review effectiveness.

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