Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) Foundation Practice Exam

Which of the following is the primary process for which a business impact analysis is required?

1. Service level management

2. Financial management

3. IT service continuity management

4. Request fulfilment

The correct answer is: IT service continuity management

The primary process for which a business impact analysis (BIA) is required is IT service continuity management. BIA plays a crucial role in identifying the potential impacts of disruptions to critical business operations and the IT services that support them. By conducting a BIA, organizations can assess the risks associated with service interruptions and determine the necessary recovery strategies to ensure that services can be restored in a timely manner after any incident. This process helps prioritize the recovery of services based on their criticality to the organization’s objectives. IT service continuity management relies on the insights gained from a BIA to develop effective continuity plans and ensure that IT services can continue or be quickly resumed following a disaster or significant interruption. The results of a BIA inform decision-makers on resource allocation, recovery time objectives, and appropriate measures to maintain service delivery during adverse situations. It ensures that the organization remains resilient and is prepared for unforeseen events. In contrast, while service level management, financial management, and request fulfillment are all important processes within ITIL, they do not specifically require a business impact analysis to the same extent as IT service continuity management does, as those areas focus on managing service agreements, budgeting, and handling service requests, respectively.