ITIL (IT Infrastructure Library)

What is ITIL?

ITIL definition

IT Infrastructure Library, or ITIL, is an information technology service management (ITSM) approach that guides organisations and individuals in its use of IT. ITIL is based upon best practices in IT service management.

Primarily adoped by IT operations departments in larger organisations, ITIL helps organisations deliver services in a customer-focused, quality-driven, and economical way through the practical and efficient use of IT tools throughout the service management lifecycle.

History of ITIL

ITIL was originally developed by the British Central Computing and Telecommunications Agency (CCTA). Further development of the ITIL framework has since been given to AXELOS, who is also responsible for the development of the PRINCE2 method.

ITIL v4

ITIL 4 was published by AXELOS in February 2019. ITIL 4 embraces the latest trends in technologies and service management. It provides a flexible basis to support organisations as they undergo digital transformation and integrate digital technology into all areas of their business.

Extensive research by AXELOS, involving a diverse group of stakeholders (+2,000), has consistently proven the value of ITIL for use in business. ITIL enables transformation and helps organisations realize value.

ITIL certification

ITIL is supported by a certification scheme that enables practitioners to demonstrate their abilities in adopting and adapting the framework to address their specific needs.

What is new in ITIL v4?

ITIL v4 was released in February 2019. Several notable changes have been made between ITL v3 and its latest iteration.

ITIL 4 expands on previous versions by providing a practical and flexible basis to support organisations on their journey to the new world of digital transformation.

ITIL 4 focuses on the Service Value System (SVS), which provides a holistic approach to the use of IT service in delivering business value. ITIL v4 focus on the co-creation of value through service relationships.

The updated ITIL 4 framework focuses on facilitating value co-creation through the SVS. The SVS helps businesses understand how different components and activities can work together in any organisation to facilitate value creation through IT-enabled services.

The ITIL Service Value System contains 5 core components: the service value chain, practices, guiding principles, governance, and continual improvement.

ITIL 4 also define Four Dimensions, that describe a balanced focus to the SVS. The four dimensions are: organizations and people, information and technology, partners and suppliers, value streams and processes.

For people familiar with agile software development or DevOps, ITIL 4 will be familiar since it has deliberately adopted some of the concepts and terminology from both the Agile and DevOps worlds.

ITIL 4 publications

To support the training of ITIL professionals, AXELOS has released several core ITIL 4 publications:

ITIL 4 Specialist: Create, Deliver and Support

This module covers the ‘core’ service management activities and expands the current scope of ITIL to include the ‘creation’ of services.

It focuses on integrating different value streams and activities to create, deliver and support IT-enabled products and services while also covering supporting practices, methods, and tools.

ITIL 4 Specialist: Drive Stakeholder Value

This module covers all forms of engagement and interaction between service providers and their customers, users, suppliers, and partners.

ITIL 4 Specialist: High-velocity IT

This module explores the convergence between business and IT, providing candidates with specialised insight into how digital organisations and digital operating models function through a fast-paced environment.

ITIL 4 Strategist: Direct, Plan and Improve

This is the universal module, a key component of all ITIL training.

It is aimed at managers of all levels involved in shaping direction and strategy or developing a continually improving team. It provides individuals with the practical skills necessary to create a ‘learning and improving’ IT organisation, with a strong and effective strategic direction.

ITIL 4 Leader: Digital and IT Strategy

This module will focus on the alignment of digital business strategy with IT strategy. The module also covers how disruption from new technologies are impacting organisations in every industry and how business leaders are responding.

The IT and Digital Strategy module adds a new perspective to the ITIL suite and elevates the discussion around ITIL concepts to a strategic level among business leaders and aspiring leaders.

What is the best ITIL certification?

At Knowledge train, we are proud to offer what we think is the best ITIL training available in the UK and abroad.

To help our customers find the training that is right for them, we offer self-study online ITIL training and ITIL virtual training.

Our self-study courses come with 1 years’ access to online learning content, perfect for working professionals who cannot commit to a fixed schedule.

Our virtual classes are taught by industry experts and professional trainers. If you want to get the best education in ITIL with the help of an experienced trainer, our virtual classes are perfect for you!

Virtual classes provide all the benefits of in-person training with the added benefit of virtual training tools, class session recordings, and more!

All Knowledge Train ITIL courses include exams.