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Ready to take your IT career to the next level? If you're looking to become a Master in IT Service Management (ITSM), ITIL Certifications are your golden ticket. In this guide, we'll dive deep into the world of ITIL Certifications, breaking down everything you need to know to get started and advance in this field.We'll cover the ITIL framework, the different certification levels, and how these credentials can open doors for you in the IT industry. Plus, we'll share some insider tips on how to become an ITIL Master. So, buckle up and get ready to boost your ITSM skills and career prospects.
What is ITIL Framework?
The ITIL (formerly know as Information Technology Infrastructure Library) framework is a set of best practices for delivering IT services that align with business needs. Developed in the 1980s, ITIL has evolved to become the global standard for ITSM.
In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the ITIL framework, the various ITIL Certifications, their history, and their importance, as well as provide a complete overview of the ITIL certification scheme and guidance on how to start and advance in your ITIL certification journey.
Key components of the ITIL framework include:
- Service strategy: Establishing the overall strategy for IT services in alignment with business goals.
- Service design: Designing new IT services or modifying existing ones to meet business needs.
- Service transition: Ensuring that new or changed services are smoothly transitioned into operation.
- Service operation: Managing day-to-day IT services to ensure they are delivered effectively.
- Continual service improvement: Continuously improving IT services and processes.
The 5 Stages of the ITIL Service Lifecycle
What are ITIL Certifications?
ITIL Certifications are credentials that validate a person's knowledge and skills in IT Service Management according to the ITIL framework.
These certifications are designed to demonstrate proficiency in various aspects of ITIL and to provide a structured path for career development in ITSM.
The History of ITIL Certifications
The history of ITIL Certifications dates back to the 1980s when the United Kingdom government's Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency (CCTA) developed ITIL as a set of best practices for IT Service Management. The first version of ITIL was released in 1989, and it quickly gained popularity for its practical approach to managing IT services.
Over the years, ITIL has undergone several revisions to keep pace with the evolving IT landscape:
- ITIL v2 (2000): Introduced a more streamlined and practical approach to IT service management.
- ITIL v3 (2007): Emphasized the service lifecycle and introduced new concepts such as service strategy and continual service improvement.
- ITIL 4 (2019): The latest version, which incorporates modern practices such as Agile, DevOps, and Lean IT, and focuses on value co-creation and digital transformation.
Why are ITIL Certifications so important?
ITIL Certifications are important for several reasons. We summarize them for you to know just how important they are in the IT world:
- Career development: ITIL Certifications enhance your credentials and open up opportunities for career growth in IT service management.
- Improved skills: They provide a structured learning path to acquire and apply ITIL best practices in real-world scenarios.
- Increased efficiency: ITIL-certified professionals can help organizations improve service delivery, reduce costs, and enhance customer satisfaction.
- Industry recognition: ITIL is a globally recognized standard for IT service management, and certifications demonstrate your commitment to excellence in this field.
- Alignment with business goals: ITIL helps bridge the gap between IT and business by aligning IT services with business needs and objectives.
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ITIL 4 IT Service Management benefits for organizations
For organizations that send their employees on ITIL Certifications training or employ new personnel with ITIL Certifications, various benefits will be viewed differently by personnel in different roles. The most apparent difference in viewpoint is that of service management practitioners who want better ways of working versus senior management who want to see better ITSM operations and business outcomes.
The benefits of Service Management can also be viewed as drivers for its adoption, i.e., the improvements needed to better deliver against the business needs for technology enablement. For example, if a business or senior IT leader perspective is taken, there are better business outcome drivers such as:
- Meeting customer and employee demands.
- Increasing business margins and profits.
- More significant and better technology exploitation.
A key benefit of ITIL certification is fostering a culture of continual improvement, which helps organizations adapt to the evolving business landscape and continuously improve technology-enabled products and services.
Then, there are drivers related to IT operations such as:
- Improving employee experiences and productivity.
- Increasing operational speed, efficiency, and agility.
- Adopting proven best practices and approaches.
- Enhancing governance and risk mitigation.
- Facilitating operational and service improvement and innovation.
On a personal level, not only does ITIL Certification allow a qualified individual to help their organization to deliver against the above benefits, but they are also investing in their career.
This can be viewed on several levels, including improving their knowledge and skillset (and business value as a result) and gaining a globally-recognized and portable ITSM qualification that might help them climb in their current organization or seek career advancement with other employers.
The Definitive Guide to ITSM Frameworks [+Free Downloadable Cheat Sheet]
The complete ITIL Certifications scheme
The ITIL Certifications scheme consists of several levels designed to provide IT professionals with a structured path for career development in ITSM. It can be adapted to the learning requirements of the individual and the organization. That's why it uses a modular, tiered approach to allow end-learners to develop a comprehensive view of service management or to focus on specific areas of knowledge. Here’s an overview of the complete ITIL certification scheme:
1. ITIL Foundation
The Foundation module is the entry level qualification and is for professionals just starting out on their ITIL 4 journey or even for existing ITSM workers who are looking to update their existing knowledge. It covers the fundamental concepts, terminology, and key elements of ITIL.
2. ITIL Practice Manager (PM)
This certification is designed for professionals seeking to gain practical skills and knowledge in IT Service Management practices. Covers ITIL management practices across service management and general management domains. It is suitable for individuals responsible for managing and implementing specific ITSM practices within an organization.
To become an ITIL PM, end-learners must complete five of the following modules (plus the Foundation and the Create, Deliver and Support certifications):
Monitor, Support & Fulfil
- ITIL 4 Incident Management.
- ITIL 4 Service Desk.
- ITIL 4 Problem Management.
- ITIL 4 Service Request Management.
- ITIL 4 Monitoring and Event Management.
Plan, Implement and Control
- ITIL 4 Change Enablement.
- ITIL 4 Deployment Management.
- ITIL 4 Release Management.
- ITIL 4 Service Configuration Management.
- ITIL 4 IT Asset Management.
Collaborate, Assure and Improve
- ITIL 4 Relationship Management.
- ITIL 4 Supplier Management.
- ITIL 4 Service Level Management.
- ITIL 4 Continual Improvement.
- ITIL 4 Information Security Management.
3. ITIL 4 Managing Professional (MP)
This certificate its aimed at IT professionals working within digital teams and it focuses on providing you with all the practical and technical knowledge you’ll need to effectively run IT projects, services, workflows, and how to manage the teams within them. To become an ITIL MP, end-learners must complete the following modules:
- ITIL 4 Foundation.
- ITIL 4 Create, Deliver and Support.
- ITIL 4 Drive Stakeholder Value.
- ITIL 4 High-velocity IT.
- ITIL 4 Direct, Plan and Improve.
4. ITIL 4 Strategic Leader (SL)
The ITIL SL stream recognises that ITIL’s value goes beyond just IT operations. It fact, it poses that it would be beneficial to all digitally enabled services. Following this stream will show that you appreciate and understand how IT can affect and influence overall business strategy. To become an Strategic Leader, end-learners must complete the following modules:
- ITIL 4 Foundation.
- ITIL 4 Direct, Plan and Improve.
- ITIL 4 Digital and IT Strategy.
5. ITIL Master
This is the highest level of ITIL Certification, demonstrating expert-level proficiency and the ability to implement and manage ITIL-based initiatives. To achieve ITIL Master certification, candidates must explain and justify how they have personally selected and applied a range of knowledge, principles, methods, and techniques from the ITIL framework and supporting management techniques to achieve desired business outcomes.
Just to be clear: end-learners must complete the ITIL Practice Manager, ITIL Managing Professional, and ITIL Strategic Leader to be eligible to become an ITIL Master.
ITIL Certifications: Where to start?
If you're new to ITIL, the best place to start is the ITIL Foundation certification. This certification provides a solid introduction to the ITIL framework and covers the essential concepts and terminology. It is suitable for IT professionals, business managers, and anyone involved in ITSM.
Here are the steps to get started with ITIL Certifications:
- Study the ITIL Foundation syllabus: Familiarize yourself with the topics covered in the ITIL Foundation exam.
- Take a training course: Enroll in an accredited ITIL Foundation training course to gain a deeper understanding of the concepts and prepare for the exam.
- Practice with sample exams: Use practice exams to test your knowledge and identify areas where you need further study.
- Schedule the exam: Register for the ITIL Foundation exam with an accredited exam provider.
- Pass the exam: Successfully complete the exam to earn your ITIL Foundation certification.
ITIL Certifications exams
The ITIL certification exams are designed to validate your understanding of the ITIL framework and your ability to apply ITIL best practices in real-world scenarios. Each certification level has its own exam requirements, format, and pricing tailored to assess specific knowledge and skills.
The ITIL Foundation exam is the entry-level certification that covers the key concepts, terminology, and elements of the ITIL framework. It consists of 40 multiple-choice questions, and you have 60 minutes to complete it. To pass, you need to score at least 65% (26 correct answers out of 40). The pricing for the ITIL Foundation exam is approximately $300 to $400 USD.
The ITIL Practice Manager certification involves exams that cover ITIL management practices across service management and general management domains. Each exam consists of 40 multiple-choice questions, lasts 90 minutes, and requires a passing score of 70% (28 correct answers out of 40). The pricing for each module is approximately $400 to $500 USD.
For those aiming to advance further, the ITIL Managing Professional (MP) certification consists of four modules, each with its own exam. Each exam consists of 40 multiple-choice questions, lasts 90 minutes, and requires a passing score of 70% (28 correct answers out of 40). The pricing for each module ranges from $400 to $500 USD.
The ITIL Strategic Leader (SL) certification two modules includes 30 multiple-choice questions and a case study, with a total duration of 60 minutes for the multiple-choice section and additional time for the case study. The passing score is 70% (21 correct answers out of 30), and the pricing is approximately $500 to $600 USD.
Finally, the ITIL Master qualification does not have a formal exam but requires candidates to submit a comprehensive case study of a real-world project where they have applied ITIL principles and practices. This project must demonstrate the candidate's ability to implement ITIL-based initiatives successfully. The assessment involves a review of the case study by a panel of ITIL experts, and possibly an interview. The pricing for the ITIL Master qualification varies significantly, ranging from $3,000 to $5,000 USD or more, depending on the complexity and requirements of the case study and assessment process.
Employee Training Programs: Types, Benefits and Trends
Is ITIL certification worth it?
From an organizational perspective, ITIL-certified employees will likely help with IT service delivery and support operations and outcomes (based on the above benefits). Importantly, ITIL is only guidance rather than prescriptive, so organizations can “adopt and adapt” only what they need and in the context of their particular needs.
From an employee professional transition perspective, ITIL poses several benefits to individuals, though the value of an ITIL Certification is very much dependent on various factors. For example, the employee’s desire to self-improve through education and qualifications. Or the local job market and the need to either differentiate or meet minimum entry requirements for particular roles where ITIL certification is mandated.
ITIL-certified professionals are future-ready and remain ahead of job challenges caused by changing technology. Investing in ITIL certification training can be a valuable step towards achieving certification and advancing in the ITIL service value system.
Employers and employees should look at ITIL Certification alongside practical experiences. Such prospective recruits can demonstrate how they have used ITIL best practices to improve operations and outcomes (rather than simply showing that they can pass an exam). To quote ITSM industry authority Paul Wilkinson, “while there is value in the certificate, there is more value in applying the knowledge in practice.”
Summary
Congratulations, you've made it through our complete guide on ITIL Certifications! By now, you should have a solid understanding of what ITIL is, the different certification levels, and why these credentials are so valuable for your IT career.
Remember, starting with the ITIL Foundation is the first step to mastering IT service management. From there, you can climb the certification ladder, gaining expertise and recognition along the way. And who knows? You might just find yourself becoming an ITIL Master one day!
Ready to get started on your ITIL journey? Dive back into the article to review the steps and start planning your path to ITIL success. Your future in IT service management awaits!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is ITIL Framework?
The ITIL (formerly know as Information Technology Infrastructure Library) framework is a set of best practices for delivering IT services that align with business needs. Developed in the 1980s, ITIL has evolved to become the global standard for ITSM.
How hard is to get an ITIL 4 Foundation certification?
The ITIL 4 Foundation certification is relatively easy for candidates that have spent sufficient time studying the study texts to acquire it. This is made more accessible if they are already working in service management roles to contextualize the ITIL 4 Foundation content in their day-to-day work.
How many ITIL Certifications are there?
There are four core ITIL 4 certifications (plus the Master Certification):
- ITIL 4 Foundation Certification.
- ITIL 4 Practice Manager Certification.
- ITIL 4 Managing Professional Certification.
- ITIL 4 Strategic Leader Certification.
- ITIL Master Certification.
Plus, there are four ITIL extension modules and certifications:
- ITIL Specialist: Acquiring & Managing Cloud Services.
- ITIL Specialist: Sustainability in Digital & IT.
- ITIL Specialist: Business Relationship Management.
- ITIL Specialist: IT Asset Management.
