When reviewing the IT short-range plan, what is the primary focus an IS auditor should consider?

When reviewing the IT short-range plan, the primary focus for an IS auditor should be the correlation of business objectives to IT goals and objectives. This focus is crucial because it ensures that the IT initiatives align with the overall business strategy, maximizing the effectiveness and relevance of IT resources in achieving organizational aims.

Understanding how IT goals support business objectives helps the auditor evaluate whether the IT strategy is effectively contributing to the success of the organization. This alignment also aids in identifying areas where IT could drive further business value or where improvements may be needed. Ensuring that IT goals are mapped to business objectives allows for strategic prioritization and resource allocation that is vital for responding to the dynamic business environment.

In contrast, while the integration of IT and business personnel is important for collaboration and project success, it is not the primary focus of an audit of the short-range plan. Similarly, defining the IT mission and vision, and having a strategic planning scorecard, also play roles in strategic alignment and performance measurement, but they are subordinate to the critical analysis of how well IT supports and drives business outcomes directly.