Reading through the introductory PDF on COBIT 4.0, it looks like there is a lot of 'consultant speak'.I was trying to figure out how to align IT goals with business objectives. The high-level control objective is PO1 - Define a Strategic Plan. Tells a whole lot of what needs to be done, and who needs to do it, but nothing about how it needs to be done.
ITIL defines Service Level Management as a key function in aligning Business strategy with IT goals. How can IT be strategic when IT is focused on providing 'Services'? Is that all that is needed to align IT with the business. I can understand if the SLM was delivered as a by product of aligning Business and IT. Defining SLA and performing Service Level Management is better than nothing, but it isn't everything that is needed to align business and IT goals and objectives.
ITIL is well known not to provide with the how-to's. It does a great job of separating and defining the various functions. It is believed that the next version of ITIL has more of the how-to's. I'll believe it when I see it.
Getting rid of consultant speak is a big challenge. The only way to get to the root of the issue is to ask the How.
How do we 'Understand current IT capabilities'?
How do we 'Translate IT strategic planning into tactical plans'?
How do 'Business requirements translate into service offerings'?
Each organization has their own processes. We look to COBIT and ITIL to provide with 'best practices'. While the frameworks do a good job of what needs to be done, they leave the 'how do we do this' unanswered.