ITIL 4 Foundation Practice Exam

What defines a disaster in terms of organizational impact?

1. A minor operational failure affecting staff morale

2. A planned pause in business operations

3. A sudden event causing significant damage to processes

4. A strategic decision with low impact on services

The correct answer is: A sudden event causing significant damage to processes

A disaster is typically defined in the context of its significant impact on an organization's processes, operations, or overall capability to deliver services. It refers to a sudden and often unexpected event that leads to considerable disruption, jeopardizing the organization’s ability to function effectively. In this case, C correctly highlights that a disaster causes significant damage to processes, which aligns with the understanding that a disaster results in a critical breakdown that can affect the organization's stability, productivity, and ability to meet objectives. The immediate repercussions can include loss of resources, compromised safety, and diminished service capability, all of which can lead to severe financial losses and reputational damage if not managed effectively. The other choices do not accurately represent the definition of a disaster. Minor operational failures, planned pauses, or strategic decisions with low impact do not typically have the same disruptive implications and therefore would not be classified as disasters in an organizational context.