Investing in ITSM training is a smart step toward advancing your career, improving team performance, and driving organizational success. But training is just the beginning—the real value lies in how you apply that knowledge to create meaningful change. To help you maximize your training, we’ve compiled actionable tips for turning what you’ve learned into impactful results. 1. Define Your Goals Before Training Starts Begin with the end in mind. Ask yourself (or your boss): What do I/we want to achieve after this training? How will this course help me address current challenges in my role or organization? Clear goals give your learning purpose and focus. Whether it’s streamlining a process, improving service delivery, or boosting team collaboration, having a defined objective ensures that your training aligns with real-world needs. 2. Engage Fully During Training Your training experience is what you make of it. To maximize your learning: Participate actively : Ask questions, share your...

For 21 years, ITSM Academy has been at the forefront of IT Service Management education, equipping professionals to navigate the complexities of ITIL, DevOps, and more. Along this journey, we’ve gathered invaluable insights from our learners, instructors, and partners—lessons that transcend the classroom and resonate throughout the ITSM profession. As we celebrate our 21st anniversary, we’re excited to share 21 key lessons we’ve learned.  Whether you’re new to ITSM or a seasoned professional, these insights hopefully inspire your journey. 1. ITSM Is About People First Processes and tools matter, but people drive success. Focusing on collaboration, communication, and culture is essential for any ITSM initiative. 2. Continuous Improvement Is Non-Negotiable The IT landscape evolves rapidly, and staying stagnant is not an option. Always seek opportunities to improve services, processes, and skills. 3. Start with the "Why" Successful ITSM projects begin with a clear unders...

This January, ITSM Academy proudly celebrates 21 years, and we couldn’t be more excited to share this incredible milestone with our extended community of learners, partners, and ITSM professionals. When we launched in 2004, our vision was both simple and ambitious: to create a space where IT service management professionals could come together to learn, grow, and thrive. Over the years, that vision has transformed into a vibrant reality, made possible by the trust, support, and dedication of everyone who has been part of our journey. As we mark 21 extraordinary years, we take this moment to reflect on the milestones achieved, the memories created, and the magic that continues to inspire us. From the very beginning, ITSM Academy has been built on a people-first foundation. We’ve always believed in the transformative power of education—not just to advance individual careers but to drive organizational success and innovation. Along the way, we’ve been honored to witness countless “aha!” m...

An education strategy guides organizational learning and development, aligning training programs with business goals. By developing a structured approach to education, companies can improve employee performance, boost engagement, and foster a culture of continuous improvement. A well-designed education strategy also ensures that training investments yield measurable returns, enhancing both individual competencies and overall organizational capabilities. Step 1: Establish Competency Frameworks A core component of any effective education strategy is the competency framework. Competency frameworks provide a structure for identifying and developing the skills, knowledge, and behaviors necessary for success within an organization. By defining clear competencies across various roles, organizations can ensure that employees understand what is expected of them and can align their development accordingly. Competency frameworks should include: Role-Specific Competencies : Define the technical an...

For over 20 years, one question keeps resurfacing: How do we secure buy-in from senior management for our ITSM initiatives ? It’s a challenge that never seems to fade. Like any good mystery, just when you think you have it solved, a new player enters the scene and changes the game. In February 2024, we were delighted to have David Cannon and Ken Jarvis present our monthly webinar, on the topic  Getting and Keeping Executive Buy-in for your ITSM Program .  I personally find it difficult to revisit all the audio content on my wishlist, so I appreciate it when I can read a concise summary - like CliffsNotes for Webinar. Or in this case, LisaNotes, as I am building on some of the ideas presented.  In prepping for the webinar, Donna Knapp  postulated, "Are we even asking the right question? Should we be asking instead, What will make executives care about ITSM ?"   As Dr. Lanning says in the movie I, Robot, "That, detective, is the right question".  The ...

By Donna Knapp and Michael Cardinal Even prior to the First Industrial Revolution, someone who made their living as a stagecoach driver couldn't possibly imagine that one day people would use an app to arrange an Uber that could take them to the airport where they could get on a plane and fly across the world in a matter of hours. All that history is understood in hindsight, as is the case with any industrial revolution. Fast forward to today. We are in the throes of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and there is massive speculation about the impact of advancements such as artificial intelligence (AI). It’s tempting to think that the problems and challenges that organizations and individuals are currently facing are unique. In reality, as we explore in ‘What Would Deming Do’ , the past provides valuable lessons that we can use to navigate the present and leverage as guidance for the future. What history teaches us is that industrial revolutions have a lot in commo...