ITIL an acronym for Information Technology Infrastructure Library, is a set of detailed practices for IT service management (ITSM) that focuses on aligning IT services with the needs of business.
ITIL is the only consistent and comprehensive documentation of best practice for IT Service Management. Used by thousands of organizations around the world, a whole ITIL philosophy has grown up around the guidance contained within the ITIL books and the supporting professional qualification scheme.
It is used to demonstrate compliance and to measure improvement. There is no formal independent third party compliance assessment available for ITIL compliance in an organization. Certification in ITIL is only available to individuals.
Since 2013, ITIL has been owned by AXELOS, a joint venture between Capita and the UK Cabinet Office. ITIL describes processes, procedures, tasks, and checklists which are neither organization-specific nor technology-specific, but can be applied by an organization toward strategy, delivering value, and maintaining a minimum level of competency.
It allows the organization to establish a baseline from which it can plan, implement, and measure. Although ITIL underpins ISO/IEC 20000 (previously BS 15000), the International Service Management Standard for IT service management, there are some differences between the ISO 20000 standard, ICT Standard by IFGICT and the ITIL framework.
AXELOS have publicly stated that they are committed to building on previous versions of ITIL (now know as ITIL 3) and ensuring that ITIL 4 will become even more relevant to organisations worldwide by: Ensuring that there is a smooth transition path.
ITIL 4 is now more relevant to organisations undergoing rapid digital transformations. Retaining and building on the basics like Change Management, which is even more relevant in today’s rapidly changing environment. Supporting and interfacing emergent technologies and frameworks such as DevOps, Lean and Agile.
It’s the latest version of the world’s most popular ITSM framework, is scheduled to be released in Q1 of 2019.
Some Background to previous ITIL versions
1989 - First released and grew to a library of over 30 books.
2000 - Version 2 was published in a new format initially Service Support and Service Delivery books covering 10 processes and the Service Desk Function. Six additional volumes were added between 2001 and 2006.
2007 - Version 3 was published in a Service Lifecycle format of five core books, covering 23 processes the Service Desk, and Application, Technical and Operational Management Functions.
2011 – Version 3 was refresh as 2011 Edition with a number of new processes, BRM, Design Coordination and Transition Planning & Support, and a rewrite of the Service Strategy and CSI books. An ITIL Practitioner volume was later added in 2015.
2018 – ITIL 4 announced by AXELOS (not ITIL V4). The '4' is to align itself with the 4th Industrial revolution.
The new ITIL update focuses on integrating ITIL guidance with best practices from the worlds of DevOps, Agile, and Lean.
The term ‘digital transformation’ is widely used by business and technology leaders. ITIL 4 works to address the inseparability of service management and digital transformation. ITIL 4 puts services at the heart of the discussion and shows the need for new ways of working to accommodate broader technological shifts and other management approaches.
Axelos manages ITIL (JV between UK Government and Capita plc) ITIL4 was developed by them via a team of more than 150 industry experts contributors and writers, along with the new ITIL Development Group consisting of more than 2,000 members from some of the world’s largest organisations (public and private).
The older version is ITIL 3 (2011 revision) which is published as a series of 5 core books:
- ITIL Service Strategy
- ITIL Service Design
- ITIL Service Transition
- ITIL Service Operation
- ITIL Continual Service Improvement
The lastest version, ITIL 4 & it's certification scheme, is comprised of the following levels.
- ITIL 4 Foundation
- The ITIL 4 Managing Professional designation
- ITIL 4 Specialist: Create, Deliver and Support
- ITIL 4 Specialist: Drive Stakeholder Value
- ITIL 4 Specialist: High-velocity IT
- ITIL 4 Strategist: Direct, Plan and Improve
- The ITIL 4 Strategic Leader designation
- ITIL 4 Strategist: Direct, Plan and Improve
- ITIL 4 Leader: Digital and IT Strategy
The new ITIL 4 certification scheme is aligned with ITIL v3 and has been streamlined to provide clear paths for practitioners to continue their ITIL journey.
ITIL 4 expands on previous versions by providing a practical and flexible basis to support organizations on their journey to the new world of digital transformation. It provides an end-to-end IT/digital operating model for the delivery and operation of tech-enabled products and services and enables IT teams to continue to play a crucial role in wider business strategy.
The ITIL® 4 certification scheme below offers a series of certifications which focus on different aspects of the ITIL Framework. For more information on these different levels, see our ITIL Exam tab.
ITIL continues to be the gold standard for ITSM best practices and interest in the topic is as higher than ever.
ITIL processes and best practices have been a powerful tool for organizations to maintain and improve their service management for decades.
ITIL 4 helps the standard keep up with recent trends in software development and IT operations. The ITIL 4 update is community-driven - identifying Agile, DevOps, and Lean as key focus areas for integration with traditional ITIL best practices.
With over a million exams already taken globally ITIL is already recognised as the world’s most popular IT Service Management Methodology.
If you have only taken ITIL v3 Foundation, then the recommended approach is to take ITIL 4 Foundation in order to be able to transition to the new scheme. There is a large amount of new material in ITIL 4 Foundation therefore a new single exam is required to assess end learner’s knowledge of the new ITIL 4 Foundation guidance.
Alternatively, you also have the option of obtaining 17 credits from the ITIL v3 scheme which would make them eligible to take the ITIL Managing Professional transition module to migrate to ITIL 4 scheme.
The ITIL 4 Managing Professional transition module is designed to allow ITIL v3 candidates who have already invested to easily transition across to ITIL 4. They can gain the designation of ITIL 4 Managing Professional via one course and one exam.
The transition module enables candidates to recognise their previous achievements while still gaining the up-to-date skills and knowledge needed to navigate the digital service economy.
The module will provide information on the key elements of the following modules from ITIL 4 Managing Professional:
- ITIL 4 Specialist Create, Deliver and Support
- ITIL 4 Specialist Drive Stakeholder Value
- ITIL 4 Specialist High Velocity IT
- ITIL 4 Strategist Direct Plan and Improve.
The course will also provide an introduction and cover the key concepts found in ITIL 4 Foundation.
To take the transition module, all candidates must be at Expert level or have a minimum of 17 v3 credits. Candidates can continue to collect their v3 Intermediate or Practitioner credits to enable them to be eligible to take the transition module when it is launched.
You need to be an My AXELOS subscriber to apply for a digital badge for your ITIL®, PRINCE2® or MSP® certification. Digital badges are tokens that appear as icons and are awarded to signify learning achievements in a way that can be easily verified and shared online. Your digital badge holds and displays information about your professional development activity as well as the issue date and an expiry date.