Understanding changes in the new ITIL version 3 training and certification
ITIL version 3 has been a long time coming - version 2 was released in 2000 - and it's the result of a great deal of consultation with the service management community. The changes are significant - and it's changed the training and certification process too.
12 February 2008
The changes to ITIL itself are massive - with a move to an approach that's far more prescriptive and based around a service-driven lifecycle that can demonstrate return on investment to the organisation.
ITIL version 3 also embraces how information technology has changed - that it's far more pervasive than it was. As an example, most organisations used to talk about 'aligning' their IT strategy to the business - now, the IT strategy and the business strategy are usually so intertwined that they are in many respects one and the same thing.
Also, ITIL version 2 was fairly linear in its approach, whereas ITIL version 3 is based around a wider 'service portfolio' which continually changes.
With all of the changes to ITIL, it's inevitable that the ITIL training courses and certification programmes will also have changed. Not only have they changed -work is still ongoing.
The advanced level of the certification is not yet available - and could remain so for some time.
So, what of the ITIL version 3 certification? It's separated into three tiers: foundation, intermediate and advanced - as we've already said, the advanced level is not yet fully developed so there isn't any reliable information available about it.
To become ITIL-certified to intermediate level requires the accumulation of 22 credits, some from topics taken by choice and some from mandatory subjects.
The foundation level is the level that's the closest to the ITIL version 2: people have to demonstrate an understanding of key IT service management processes and concepts during a one-hour examination that comprises 40 multi-choice questions. A successful outcome from this will result in the learner receiving 2 credits, as well as being certified to foundation level. For the intermediate level, things become a little more complex.
Learning is divided into two streams: ITIL service lifecycle and IT service capability. Within each of these streams, there are modules (five in service lifecycle and four in service capability) and learners can select whichever modules they need, or which suit them the most, from either of the two streams.
The ITIL service lifecycle modules are:
- Service strategy (3 credits)
- Service design (3 credits)
- Service transition (3 credits)
- Service operation (3 credits)
The ITIL service capability modules are:
- The ITIL service capability modules are:
- Planning, protection and optimisation (4 credits)
- Service offerings and agreements (4 credits)
- Operational support and analysis (4 credits)
- Release control and validation (4 credits)
As we've said, learners are free to choose whichever modules suit them best from the two streams, so there is a good deal of flexibility with the new certification.
The flip side is that it is a bit harder to understand and does take more planning - to ensure that you learn those topics which are most relevant.
The final module before becoming certified is the 'Managing the Lifecycle' module, which must be taken whatever your previous learning modules were - and this is worth a further 5 credits.
As with the previous ITIL certification, this isn't a walk in the park - the examinations for ITIL version 2 were notoriously tough with pass rates that showed that you really needed to know your stuff in order to get through. There's pretty much the same degree of rigour with ITIL version 3, so have realistic expectations - and work hard!
ITIL really is gathering a great pace in the market, ITIL version 3 is now an internationally recognised standard (ISO IEC 20000) and is pretty much the leading IT service management framework around - some would go so far as to say that it's now a one-horse race.
So what if you're already ITIL-certified or already part way through being ITIL certified? The good news is that you can use your current ITIL certification as credits to becoming ITIL version 3 certified.
If you're certified to foundation level, there's a new one-day 'bridging' course, which outlines the differences between ITIL versions 2 and 3 and prepares you for the version 3 foundation examination.
Current practitioner certifications can act as credits to becoming ITIL version 3 certified - the number of credits which can be used will vary, depending on whether the certificate is for single or multiple topics.
There's also a three-day bridging course for those holding version 2 managers qualifications.
If you'd like help planning your ITIL training - whether you already hold version 2 certifications or not - then just give us a call on 0845 650 6500. We'll be happy to help.
