Cobit FAQ > Why was the orientation of CobiT focussed on the process rather than functions or applications?

Why was the orientation of CobiT focussed on the process rather than functions or applications?

The CobiT framework has been structured into 34 IT processes clustering interrelated life-cycle activities or interrelated discrete tasks. The process model was preferred for several reasons. Firstly, a process by its nature is result oriented in the way that it focuses on the final outcome while optimising the use of resources. The way these resources are physically structured, e.g., people/skills in departments, is less relevant in this perspective. Secondly, a process, and especially its objectives, is more permanent in nature and doesn't risk change as often as an organisational entity. Thirdly, the deployment of IT cannot be confined to a particular department and involves users and management as well as IT specialists. In this context, the IT process remains nevertheless the common denominator. As far as applications are concerned, they are treated within the CobiT framework as one of the five resource categories. Hence they are to be managed and controlled in such a way as to bring about the required information at the business process level. This way, application systems are an integral part of the CobiT framework and can be addressed specifically through the resource vantage point. In other words, focusing strictly on the resources only, one would
automatically get an applications view of the CobiT objectives.