To ensure a planned IT initiative meets future state objectives, management should conduct stage gate reviews during implementation. Stage gate reviews are a critical part of project management and governance, ensuring that projects are on track, meeting their objectives, and adhering to the planned schedule and budget.
Stage gate reviews are formal checkpoints at various phases of a project where progress is assessed, and decisions are made about whether to proceed to the next stage. These reviews help to ensure that:
* The project remains aligned with business objectives and stakeholder expectations.
* Risks are identified and managed effectively.
* Necessary adjustments are made based on the current project status and future state objectives.
COBIT 2019 emphasizes the importance of governance and management practices to ensure successful project outcomes. Stage gate reviews align with COBIT's governance objectives by providing oversight, ensuring alignment with business goals, and enabling course corrections when needed.
COBIT 2019 Framework References:
* COBIT 2019 Framework: Governance and Management Objectives, BAI01 Manage Programs and Projects:This objective highlights the importance of structured project management and governance practices, including stage gate reviews.
* COBIT 2019 Design Guide:Emphasizes the need for effective monitoring and control mechanisms throughout the project lifecycle to ensure alignment with enterprise goals.
Conducting stage gate reviews is a proactive measure to ensure that IT initiatives stay on track and achieve their intended future state objectives, making it the best choice among the given options.

I&T-related issues, also called pain points, could be considered risks that have materialized. These issues represent current challenges and problems that the enterprise is facing, indicating that certain risks have already impacted the organization.
References in COBIT 2019 Design and Implementation:
* COBIT 2019 Design Guide, Chapter 2:This chapter explains that I&T-related issues or pain points are current problems that the enterprise needs to address, indicating that these risks have already materialized.
* COBIT 2019 Framework: Governance and Management Objectives, APO12 (Managed Risk):This objective emphasizes the importance of identifying and managing risks, including those that have already impacted the organization.
By recognizing that I&T-related issues are materialized risks, enterprises can focus on mitigating these issues and preventing future occurrences, ensuring better risk management and governance.

The primary function of COBIT Implementation Phase 7: "How Do We Keep the Momentum Going?" is to ensure frequent stakeholder communication. This phase focuses on maintaining engagement and support from stakeholders to sustain the momentum of the governance initiatives.
Ensuring frequent stakeholder communication is essential for maintaining momentum in governance initiatives. This involves regular updates, feedback sessions, and transparent communication to keep stakeholders informed and involved in the ongoing process. It helps to address any concerns, align expectations, and ensure continuous support for the initiatives.
COBIT 2019 Framework References:
* COBIT 2019 Implementation Guide, Chapter 8:Discusses the importance of continuous communication with stakeholders to keep the momentum going and maintain support for governance initiatives.
* COBIT 2019 Design Guide, Chapter 5:Highlights the need for frequent and effective communication to ensure that stakeholders remain engaged and supportive throughout the implementation process.
By ensuring frequent stakeholder communication, enterprises can sustain the momentum of their governance initiatives, making it the primary function of COBIT Implementation Phase 7

The initial governance design process involves gathering inputs from various stakeholders, including business units, IT, and external partners. These inputs can sometimes conflict, and it is crucial to resolve these conflicts to create a unified governance system that supports enterprise objectives.
Key Steps:
* Stakeholder Alignment:Ensuring that all stakeholders are on the same page regarding priorities and objectives.
* Conflict Resolution:Addressing and resolving any discrepancies or conflicts in inputs to ensure a consistent and aligned governance system.
* Prioritization:Establishing clear priorities to guide decision-making and resource allocation.
COBIT 2019 Framework References:
* COBIT 2019 Design Guide, Chapter 4:Discusses the importance of resolving conflicting inputs and establishing a cohesive governance framework that aligns with enterprise priorities.
* COBIT 2019 Framework: Governance and Management Objectives:Emphasizes the need for alignment between IT and enterprise goals, requiring the resolution of any conflicting priorities.
Resolving conflicting inputs and priorities ensures that the governance system is well-aligned and effective in achieving enterprise goals.

The function within the IT corporate structure responsible for classifying information using an agreed-upon classification scheme for a new data collection system is the Information Security function. Information security ensures that data is properly classified to protect it according to its sensitivity and criticality.
References in COBIT 2019 Design and Implementation:
* COBIT 2019 Framework: Governance and Management Objectives, APO13 (Managed Security):
This objective outlines the responsibilities of the information security function, which includes defining and implementing information classification schemes.
* COBIT 2019 Implementation Guide, Chapter 3:This chapter details how information security policies and practices should be established, including the classification of information assets.
* COBIT 2019 Framework: Deliver, Service and Support (DSS05, Managed Security Services):This objective highlights the role of information security in managing security services, including data classification and protection measures.
By classifying information, the information security function ensures that data is adequately protected against unauthorized access and breaches, adhering to compliance requirements and supporting the overall security posture of the enterprise.