Before you can chart a course toward higher capability levels, you need to know your current position. A capability assessment provides that orientation. It is the moment you unfold the map and mark, “You are here.” Capability assessments reveal not only how well individual practices are established, but how deeply they are embedded into the organization’s culture. They are not about chasing a number. They are about obtaining a clear, evidence-based understanding of where your capabilities stand. Well-scoped and well-conducted assessments shine a light on both strengths and weaknesses, and perhaps most importantly, they allow you to determine where targeted improvement will create the greatest value. Assessments transform perception into data and data into direction. Once you have gathered scored criteria, evidence, and data from across the organization, now comes the part of the assessment process where insight begins to take shape. Each of the most widely used asse...

Part 1 of this series explores the activities involved in planning and preparing for practice capability assessments . This blog focuses on conducting assessments.  Organizations typically use three broad types of practice capability assessments, each differing in purpose, depth, and rigor. Self-assessments – internally led, often using surveys or worksheets where practitioners rate their own practices. Helps to raise awareness of strengths and weaknesses and capture a baseline Facilitated assessments – led by a neutral internal facilitator or cross-functional team (e.g., a Certified Process Design Engineer (CPDE), a process improvement team or members of a Service Management Office (SMO)) that guides stakeholders through structured discussions and consensus-based scoring exercises. Provides a shared understanding of capability across stakeholder groups Independent or formal external assessments – conducted by experienced consultants, certified assessors or acc...

With the introduction of ITIL 4 , some concepts have changed in ways that affect how service management assessments are performed. (1) Focusing on practices vs. processes ITIL 4 has evolved to focus on holistic practices vs. isolated processes. By definition, a practice is a set of organizational resources designed for performing work or accomplishing an objective. In ITIL 4, each practice includes resources based on the four dimensions of service management. One of those dimensions is ‘ value streams and processes ’, and so while processes are still an important component of service management, they are now considered in a much more holistic context. (2) Assessing practice capability vs. maturity In 2021 AXELOS (now a part of PeopleCert) introduced the ITIL Maturity Model . Organizations can use this model to objectively and comprehensively assess their service management capabilities and the maturity of the organization’s service value system (SVS). In this...

Whether or not an organization has formally adopted a framework such as ITIL , IT service management (ITSM) practices are doomed if you fail to recognize the need for continual improvement. Capability assessments  can be used to determine how well your practices are established and improving, and they serve as a diagnostic tool for continual improvement. A capability assessment typically involves a straightforward set of activities. Plan and prepare – define the scope, objectives, and participants of the assessment. Define and organize the supporting elements of the assessment model. Conduct the assessment   – collect input through interviews, workshops, observations, or surveys and validate evidence against the defined criteria. Analyze, interpret, and report out the results   – aggregate the findings to identify the current capability level. Identify gaps, improvement opportunities, and options. Formulate prioritized recommendations for ...

Investing in ITSM training is a smart move for individuals and organizations looking to improve service delivery, boost efficiency, and align IT with business goals. But with so many training options out there, how do you choose the right provider? Here are key factors to consider when selecting an ITSM training partner: 1. Accreditation Matters Make sure the training provider is accredited by a recognized examination institute. Accreditation ensures the training content meets industry standards and prepares learners for official certification exams. 🦩ITSM Academy is a fully accredited PeopleCert partner and has been delivering ITIL and ITSM training since 2004. 2. Experienced Instructors Look for trainers who have real-world ITSM experience. Instructors should be not only certified but also capable of connecting theory to practice through case studies, examples, and interactive discussions. 🦩ITSM Academy Instructors are all ITIL Service Managers, ITIL Experts, ITIL Ma...

In the world of IT Service Management (ITSM), the word “service” gets tossed around a lot, but without a shared definition, it often leads to confusion, missed expectations, and inefficiency. That’s where ITIL comes in, offering a clear, standardized definition used by organizations worldwide to align IT with business outcomes. 📘 What Is a Service? (According to ITIL) A service is a means of enabling value co-creation by facilitating outcomes that customers want to achieve, without the customer having to manage specific costs and risks. In simpler terms: Services help people achieve results they care about. The provider takes on the complexity, risk, and cost so the customer doesn’t have to. Value isn’t just delivered, it’s co-created through use. Now let’s look at how this definition plays out in real life with a Tale of Two Companies. 🏁 Meet the Contenders: BeanScene vs. Brewtopia Both BeanScene and Brewtopia are rising stars in the specialty co...

At ITSM Academy, we pride ourselves on delivering training that not only meets global certification standards but also provides an exceptional learner experience. Many of the courses we offer, such as ITIL, DevOps, and Agile Service Management, are best-practice courses with pre-defined syllabi and certification requirements. While these standards set the framework, our mission is to bring them to life in ways that resonate with learners, both during and after class. Here’s a look behind the scenes at how we ensure our courses are more than just a checklist, they’re transformative learning experiences. 1. Aligning with Global Standards Every course we deliver is carefully aligned with globally recognized best practices and certification requirements. We ensure that: All syllabus objectives are covered thoroughly and accurately. Certification exam preparation is seamlessly integrated into the course. All content reflects the latest updates and standards from governing bodies. Meeting th...

The Future is Bright ☀️ Be Ready to Shine! As we move into 2025, the demand for skilled IT professionals continues to soar. Certification training in ITIL, DevOps, Agile, and Employee Experience isn’t just a smart move, it’s an essential investment in your future.  Here’s why: DevOps:    The global DevOps market is expected to grow at an impressive 22.34% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) reaching $44.06 billion by 2030. With companies prioritizing operational efficiency, cloud computing, and continuous delivery, the need for DevOps expertise is skyrocketing. Certification helps you master the tools and practices that drive faster releases, improved collaboration, and seamless automation. Agile :   By 2033, the Agile market is forecasted to hit $179.9 billion, as organizations across industries adopt Agile frameworks to stay competitive. Agile training equips you with the mindset and techniques to lead adaptive teams, manage evolving priorities, and deliver cus...

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 under...

At ITSM Academy, we are always eager to share valuable insights and research that contribute to the advancement of IT service management practices. In their latest report, Unlock the Power of ITIL , Eveline Oehrlich and Alexander Bassett dive deep into ITIL's role in modern enterprises and how it significantly impacts IT service management.  Although we didn’t participate in the research or the creation of the paper, we are delighted to share it with our community. click to view the recap Drawing insights from a comprehensive survey conducted by Research In Action , which involved 1,500 IT managers with budget responsibilities from enterprises worldwide, this report highlights key trends and developments in ITIL adoption and its profound effects on business operations. The survey, conducted over six months from January to June 2023, provides a detailed analysis of how ITIL is being leveraged by enterprises to optimize IT service delivery, enhance operational efficiency, ...

ITIL® 4: Create, Deliver and Support (CDS) is one of four managing professional modules, which provide practical advice building upon the concepts described in ITIL 4 Foundation. CDS explores the creation and delivery of service management, as well as the tools, technologies, and methods that support it. Originally posted on  The Axelos Blog , March 2021 and written by Solmaz Purser - Project Editor, Axelos The organizational structure determines how successful an organization will be in achieving its goals, as it regulates how individuals and teams within an organization interact with each other and with the organization. CDS explores the four main types of organizational structures. Of course, an organization can decide to forego any kind of structure, but that would be a very short-lived organization where nothing gets done! Functional A functional organizational structure is a typical hierarchal structure based on control, lines of authority, or technical domain. Basically, t...