With over 2 million certified professionals in 2022, ITIL is the world’s most popular IT service management methodology. It is a set of best practices relating to ITSM (Information Technology System Management) which serves as a guide for companies undergoing digital transformation. It allows them to manage IT services efficiently, in accordance with the intrinsic needs of the commercial structure, to achieve its objectives.
In this article, you will understand what ITIL is, its importance for managing an IT service and the different levels of ITIL certification. You will also discover tips on the best way to prepare for the certification exam and, above all, how to pass it successfully.
Understanding ITIL and its importance
To fully understand what ITIL is, it is necessary to know the history of this framework and the changes it has undergone over time.
History and evolution of ITIL
ITIL was born at the end of the 1980s, from the reflections of the CCTA (Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency). This British government agency was contacted by the Government of Great Britain to improve the quality of public IT services, since numerous customers were complaining.
As a result, the CCTA produced a collection of recommendations to resolve the problem. This set of 30 documents was so appreciated for its relevance that it was established as a standard of good IT service management practices by professionals in the field. ITIL has undergone several evolutions, moving to versions V2, V3 and V4 respectively from 1999 to 2004, in 2007 then in 2019.
Main concepts and principles of ITIL
ITIL V4 certification is oriented around the concept of “Service Value System” and contains 5 major elements:
- the service value chain
- the 34 ITIL practices defined in V3
- the 7 guiding principles
- ITIL governance
- the amelioration keeps going
Regarding the service value chain, it is based on 6 activities that can be combined in different ways to obtain different processes. These activities are planning, improvement, engagement, design, construction, and delivery.
When it comes to the 7 guiding principles of ITIL V4, it is firstly about focusing on value. Then it’s about starting where your business is, iterating with feedback, collaborating and promoting visibility. The last 3 principles stipulate that you must think and work with a holistic approach, focus on simplicity and remain practical, then optimize and automate.
ITIL V4 also includes 4 dimensions to consider when managing IT services, namely organizations and people, information and technology, partners and suppliers, value flows and processes.
Benefits of ITIL Certification for Professionals and Organizations
Having an ITIL certification allows IT professionals to acquire highly sought-after skills in IT service management. This approach can allow them to increase their value on the job market and access positions of responsibility, which equates to better remuneration.
For businesses, ITIL certification allows them to standardize internal processes for providing IT services while remaining very flexible. At the end of this training, they will be able to perfectly meet the needs of customers on a global scale and will be more competitive.
The different levels of ITIL certification
There are 5 levels of ITIL certification: Foundation, Practitioner, Intermediate, Expert, Master.
Description of certification levels
The Foundation level is the initial level of ITIL certification. Taking training at this level is ideal for IT professionals who want to know the fundamentals of ITIL. The training will also allow them to know how the use of the repository can be used to significantly improve IT service management.
Practice is the second level of ITIL certification. Its objective is to allow people certified on Foundation to apply the standard in their daily work environment. The content of the Practitioner level training covers a range of elements allowing continuous improvement of business performance such as DevOps, Agile or Lean methodologies.
Concerning the third level of certification, “Intermediate”, it is available in two categories: Lifecycle and Capability. The first refers to the life cycle of IT services, while the second concerns the operational aspect of management, as well as responsiveness to incidents. These two categories contain 5 and 4 training modules, respectively. You can choose between Lifecycle and Capability, or take both courses.
For people with in-depth knowledge of ITIL and its best practices, the Expert level is recommended. This certification proves that the person who holds it can apply the ITIL approach in its entirety within a company. The Master level is rather reserved for professionals with ITIL certification at Expert level, with at least 5 years of experience in a position in line with the standards.
Tips for Choosing the Right Level
To select the appropriate certification level, first consider your level of knowledge of ITIL practices. Also take into account the ITIL certifications you already hold and the prerequisites you need to meet to obtain those that interest you. Additionally, make sure that the targeted certification level is consistent with your professional objectives, as well as the needs of the organization where you practice.
Preparing for ITIL Certification and taking the Exam
Preparing for ITIL certification is vital, and begins with acquiring the right study materials. It is highly recommended to obtain the official ITIL V4 documentation to lay the foundation for understanding the information covered in your upcoming training. Reading this documentation helps to properly assimilate the knowledge relevant to the training you will undergo on this subject.
The next step consists of following official training, provided by structures accredited by AXELOS which awards ITIL certification. You benefit from quality teaching provided by experts in the field, which gives you the IT service management skills you’re looking for. With some of these organizations, the training even includes the cost of the certification exam. You should budget between €500 and €1000 on average.
You can also strengthen your capabilities by attending ITIL certification workshops. The daily application of the practices acquired during ITIL training in your professional life is also strongly recommended. Add to that practice exams to practice. You can even use the Lemon Learning solution during your preparation, to easily review certain concepts and better understand ITIL.
When you’re ready, register with an approved center to take the certification exam by paying the associated fees worth between €130 and €450. Make sure you approach the certification exam in a calm and relaxed manner. This is necessary so that you can answer the questions to the maximum of your abilities.
Post Certification opportunities and advancement
Once you obtain ITIL certification, new horizons open up to you regarding your professional career. You can access positions as DSI (Director of Information Services), project manager, technical service manager, etc. You can even consider setting up your own business and becoming an ITIL consultant.
ITIL certification also opens up the job market to you in any part of the world, knowing that it is internationally recognized. After obtaining it, however, it is necessary to continue learning to pass the higher levels of certification. This also allows you to be informed of the latest trends relating to IT service management. You can even obtain certifications complementary to ITIL, such as ISO 20000 or Lean IT, to expand your range of skills.
Conclusion
ITIL proves to be a highly effective approach in enhancing the management of an organization’s IT services. Acquiring an ITIL certification not only enhances an individual’s competence in overseeing these systems but also opens up significant career opportunities. For companies, achieving ITIL certification brings about improvements in service quality, customer satisfaction rates, and overall competitiveness. The certification is available at various levels to cater to specific needs, emphasizing the importance of thorough preparation to successfully pass the exam.
