ITIL, originally known as the IT Infrastructure Library, serves as a globally recognized framework for IT service delivery. It advocates for best practices in IT Service Management (ITSM), fostering the standardization of various processes and stages across the IT lifecycle. Initially introduced by the British government's Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency (CCTA) in the 1980s, ITIL aimed to establish consistent guidelines and mitigate disparities among evolving IT architectures. Over the years, ownership has changed multiple times. In 2021, PeopleCert bought AXELOS, the owners of ITIL. ITIL 4 represents the latest iteration of the framework, and holds significant importance for organizations for several key reasons: Standardization : ITIL provides a set of best practices and guidelines for IT Service Management (ITSM). By implementing ITIL practices, organizations can standardize their IT processes and procedures, ensuring consistency and reliability in service deliver...

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, ...

Becoming an ITIL Master - the Why: Enhanced Expertise: The ITIL Master designation demonstrates a deep understanding of ITIL concepts, methodologies, and best practices. It showcases your expertise in managing IT services effectively and efficiently. Value to Employers:  Organizations are constantly looking for professionals who can improve their IT service management practices. Holding the ITIL Master makes you a valuable asset to employers seeking to enhance their IT service capabilities. Career Advancement: Holding the ITIL Master can open up various career opportunities. Many organizations value certified professionals for leadership roles, strategic planning, and process improvement initiatives.  Industry Recognition: ITIL is globally recognized and widely adopted by organizations of all sizes. Being an ITIL Master adds credibility to your profile and can make you a sought-after professional in the industry. Problem-Solving Skills: The certification process involves s...

Retirement is a time that marks a new beginning. It’s a major transition that isn’t always easy. This is  true whether it relates to the retirement of people, or a technology, or as is the case with ITIL v3 Foundation, a certification. Like other major transitions, the retirement of ITIL v3 Foundation has sparked a variety of emotions and concerns. On a positive note, we can look back fondly on ITIL v3 and celebrate the progress that it has enabled us to make in terms of promoting the value of service management. It helped us to understand what processes are and the importance of continually improving those processes. It also paved the way for us to understand the importance of aligning service management with business requirements. Concerns, however, have started to creep in. Is ITIL v3 enough in the digital age? Or perhaps more importantly, is ITIL v3 too much when viewed through the lens of adjacent ways of work such as Agile, Lean, and DevOps? Have our processes become unnecess...

Donna Knapp is the curriculum development manager for ITSM Academy, where she is responsible for  the development of ITIL course content. By her own admission, it’s a role that indulges her love of learning and passion for sharing her knowledge with others. Gaining the ITIL 4 Master designation is an unexpected outcome to the career path Donna Knapp first set out on. However, she now realizes it’s the culmination of her ITIL journey.  “Early in my career, I was the IT liaison for my organization’s Lean initiatives. At the time, I wasn’t aware of ITIL . Instead, we used IBM’s IT service management framework.” Donna said. “The IBM philosophy was well respected in the IT industry at that time, and dovetailed much of what I was doing in terms of designing and improving our IT service delivery and support processes.” “IBM went on to contribute to the birth of ITIL and by 2005 I was using ITIL as a consultant and educator,” Donna explained. “As I look back, I appreciate that this w...

One of the leading questions following the release of ITIL 4 is “How do I Transition from ITIL V3 to ITIL 4?   Which translates to, how do you proceed to adapt existing processes to the new way of working?  The answer is… ITIL 4 for ITIL 4. What? That’s right! ITIL 4 has the best practice for “adapting” and might I include “accelerating” the ITSM processes that you have in play today. Below is an outline of principles, concepts and precepts from ITIL 4 guidance that will help. Ongoing Continual Improvement has always been a best practice. Therefore: How do you proceed to adapt existing processes to the new way of working? Each is discussed here at a very high level. First and foremost, START WHERE YOU ARE!  Continual Improvement - ITIL 4 is the next logical progression of your improvement cycle. Business Requirements are dynamic and therefore we must be dynamic in order to provision for evolving business and customer needs. We must be responsive (Agile) an...

What is an ITIL Expert?  An evangelist?  A champion?  A coach? D.    All of the Above .  Holding the ITIL Expert designation (or being an expert in ITIL) means that an individual has a broad and balanced understanding of ITIL concepts and is able to effectively apply and integrate that knowledge to the benefit of an organization. So, what happens when ITIL evolves? ITIL 4 has been introduced and now it’s time for ITIL Experts to evolve their knowledge as well. But that doesn’t mean simply expanding their knowledge of ITIL. ITIL 4 provides the guidance organizations need to address changing service management challenges and to utilize the potential of modern technology. This includes integrating Agile, Lean and DevOps concepts and understanding how these concepts influence new ways of thinking and working. So how do we bring these concepts together? Agile Service Management describes how to adapt Agile and Scrum values and practices to IT...

Most organizations, especially service management organizations, strive to improve themselves. For those of us leveraging the ITIL® best practices, continual improvement is part of our DNA. We are constantly evaluating our organizations and looking for ways to improve. To aid in our improvement goals and underscore one of the major components of the ITIL Service Value System , Continual Improvement .   AXELOS has updated the ITIL Maturity Model and is offering new ITIL Assessment services. This will enable organizations to conduct evaluations and establish baselines to facilitate a continual improvement program. A while back I wrote an article on the importance of conducting an assessment . I explained the need to understand where you are before you can achieve your improvement goals. Understanding where you are deficient, how significant gaps are from your maturity objectives, and prioritizing which areas to focus on first are key to successfully improving. One method many or...

Investing in ITIL 4 is widely recognized as a strategic advantage for organizations aiming to enhance their service management capabilities. With its modern, flexible, and customer-centric approach, ITIL 4 provides the tools and practices needed to thrive in a dynamic and complex IT environment. Based on conversations with high-performing organizations, we compiled five compelling reasons why organizations should invest in ITIL 4: 1. Enhanced Agility and Flexibility In a rapidly changing business environment, the ability to adapt quickly is vital. ITIL 4 is designed to provide organizations with the agility needed to respond to new opportunities and challenges. How ITIL 4 Helps : Service Value System (SVS): ITIL 4 introduces the SVS, which provides a holistic approach to service management, ensuring flexibility and quick adaptation to changing business needs. Guiding Principles : The framework’s guiding principles, such as “focus on value,” “start where you are,” and “progress iterati...