Final answer:
The most appropriate recommendation is to implement accountability rules, as this will address the issue of undefined responsibilities for IT management and governance roles within the organization. This ensures clarity in the IT governance framework and helps prevent governance failures.
Step-by-step explanation:
When auditing the IT governance framework and IT risk management practices of an organization, discovering undefined responsibilities regarding IT management and governance roles suggests a lack of clarity in accountability. In this scenario, the MOST appropriate recommendation would be to implement accountability rules within the organization. This involves defining roles, responsibilities, and the decision-making framework necessary for effective IT governance and management.
Reviewing the strategic alignment of IT with business operations is critical; however, without clear accountability, it is challenging to enforce alignment. Conducting periodic independent IS audits is beneficial, but that serves as a verification tool rather than a solution to the core problem identified. Lastly, creating a chief risk officer might help with risk management but will not address the ambiguity of roles found across the IT governance framework.
Correctly implementing accountability rules will help clarify who is responsible for what process, decision, and outcome, ensuring that every individual knows their responsibilities, leading to better IT governance, and potentially preventing the kind of corporate governance failure experienced by Lehman Brothers.