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Itil Bridging Courses Explained
By Steve Twine

Fast Track to IT Success

ITIL training underpins the world's most successful framework for IT Service Management. Pulling together the best practice methods from public and private sectors is pivotal in ensuring efficient service delivery and in meeting IT Governance objectives.

Re-launched in 2007 in the form of Version 3, now includes a host of new training courses and qualifications, including various bridging courses which are now available. For those with existing certifications a bridging course will allow you to upgrade your knowledge and fast track your Version 3 qualifications. This article explains who these courses will benefit and how they work.

1. Version 3 - What Makes it Different?

The latest version of builds on its existing well established approaches but interprets them in the context of service lifecycle. It recognizes the shift that has occurred over the last few years as IT and IS operations have become integral to all modern organisations, rather than existing as a bolt on function.

The earlier editions of were defined by a number of key processes and for the most part, these remain important within the new structure. The new aspects of V3 reflect a change in the role of IT within modern organisations:

• Service strategy as the central driver
• Emphasis on service rather than process
• Dynamic service portfolio rather than linear service catalogue
• Integration (not just alignment) of IT with the rest of the organisation
• The cycle of 'Continuous Service Improvement'
  

2. The Qualification Structure

There are four levels within the new scheme comprising:

• Foundation
• Intermediate (Service Lifecycle & Service Capability)
• ITIL Expert
• Advanced Service Management Professional

The improved qualifications scheme introduces a new credit system. For example, to achieve the Expert

 

qualification, candidates must achieve at least 22 credits, two of which can be gained at Foundation level. Credits are awarded for both V2 and V3 ITIL training courses.

Those people with an existing certification can undertake a bridging course which brings you up to date with the new aspects of ITIL.

3. Foundation Bridge

The Foundation Bridge course is for anyone who holds an earlier version Foundation certificate and who wants to obtain Version 3 certification. It provides an intensive overview of the new and modified topics in Version 3. Firstly, the Service Management Lifestyle is introduced (Strategy, Design, Transition, Operation and Continual Improvement), followed by the contribution of processes to each of the 5 elements.

The course assumes a level of knowledge of the basic concepts and processes. If this is not the case then a 3 day Foundation V3 course should be selected.

Acquiring the Version 3 Foundation via this route (or by taking the full Foundation exam again) is mandatory for those seeking the new Intermediate and Expert qualifications. It is not necessary for those eligible to bridge via the Practitioner or Manager Bridge routes (as explained below).

The exam is a 20 question, closed book multiple choice paper which takes 30 minutes to complete. The pass mark is 65% and successful candidates are awarded 0.5 credits under the qualification scheme bringing their foundation credits to 2.0 (1.5 credits are given for the Version 1 or 2 certificate).

4. Manager's Bridge

The Manager's Bridge training course is for those who hold an earlier version Manager's certificate and who wish to pursue the Version 3 Expert certificate.

This course also covers the new and modified topics in Version 3 and explores the new elements under the following headings:

• Service Management as a Practice
• The Service Lifecycle
• Generic Concepts & Definitions
• Key principles and Models
• Processes
• Functions
• Roles & Organisation
• Technology & Architecture
• Implementation Considerations
• Complementary Industry Guidance (other frameworks)

The course lasts between 4 and 5 days with the exam taken on the final day. The exam itself comprises a 20 question closed book, scenario based, complex multiple choice paper. It takes 90 minutes and the pass mark is 80%.

It isn't necessary to upgrade your Foundation certificate before following this route. Successful candidates achieve Expert certification without the need for further study under the Version 3 scheme.

5. Practitioner Bridge

If you already have substantial certification under the Practitioner certificate level there is a third bridging route. The pre-requisite is that you hold a minimum of 12 credits from Version 1 or 2 certificates in non duplicated areas (3.5 credits for 'clustered' practitioner certificates and 2 credits for 'single' practitioner certificates).

Candidates following this route first complete the Manager's Bridge course through an accredited training provider then undertake the new 'Managing through the Lifecycle' course.

Focus on Training specializes in the provision of best practice training for the Project Management and IT Service Management sectors. Focus is an active member of the IT Service Management Forum which plays a central role in updating and disseminating the framework through its international network of 6000 organisations and 70,000 IT professionals.

Steve Twine B.Sc. is Managing Director and leads the Project Management team at Focus on Training. He has deep experience of complex and high profile international projects within the automotive industry

 

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