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ITIL: Understanding And Using It Service Management
By Alan Calder
‘ITIL’ is a term that is fast gaining currency around the IT world. It is often wrongly described as ‘IT governance’ – in fact, on its own, it certainly isn’t this. ITIL is a collection of best Read more...
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Transition To Remote Infrastructure Management – An ITIL Approach
By Shivkumar Gopalan
As an IT infrastructure manager, you have been challenged by your CIO to look beyond the horizon and test the waters of remote infrastructure management. Cost is clearly a key driver for your Read more...
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Do We Need Itil?
By Simon Buehring
The IT Infrastructure Library (or ITIL) is essentially a body of knowledge, structures and ‘best practices’ related to the provision of quality IT services. It is an Read more...
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If I’ve Got Prince2, Do I Really Need Itil As Well?
By Simon Buehring
PRINCE2 and ITIL are both standardised management methodologies, formulated by the UK government and subsequently adopted by public and private sector organisations throughout the UK, Europe and Read more...
The Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) is a set of concepts and policies for managing information technology (IT) infrastructure ...
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Understanding The ITIL Qualification
By Simon Buehring
ITIL (the IT Infrastructure Library) is the most widely recognised IT Service Management qualification in use at the moment. It is accredited by the APMG (the same organisation that administers PRINCE2 and MSP), and is assessed through similar objective-testing examinations.
There are four levels to the V3 qualification, each of which is attained by the completion of a certain number of modules or credits. Once a student has earned 22 credits, the V3 Diploma (or “ITIL Expert in IT Service Management”) is awarded. The ultimate tier of the qualification is Master, which is assessed through peer review, written examinations and case studies/simulations. This level requires substantial practical experience of IT Service Management.
Foundation
The Foundation module is standard and requisite for all V3 students. It is worth 2 credits, which are gained by passing the Foundation level examination. It is aimed at anybody who needs to have a basic awareness of what is, or who needs to gain a higher-level qualification – for example, individuals working within or alongside an IT Service Management environment.
The Foundation module covers the following areas:
• Service Management as a practice
• The Service Lifecycle
• Key principles and concepts of ITIL
• Important models and terminology used within ITIL
• Selected processes, roles and functions important to ITIL
• Technology and architecture (awareness only)
The Foundation exam contains 40 multiple choice questions, each offering the candidate four choices, only one of which is correct. The exam lasts for 60 minutes and is closed-book,
so no course notes, manuals or other revision guides may be used. The candidate must score 26 correct answers (65%) in order to pass the exam.
Intermediate
There are nine Intermediate level modules, each worth between 3 and 4 credits. A total of 15 credits must be earned in order to be eligible for the V3 Diploma. These credits may be earned through modules taken from either one of the main modular streams (the Service Lifecycle Series and the Service Capabilities Series), or through a combination of the two.
There are five Service Lifecycle modules, each of which focuses on one stage of the Service Lifecycle (Strategy, Design, Transition, Operation, and Continual Service Improvement). The Service Capabilities Series contains four modules, each of which examines a cluster of role-based processes (for example: processes associated with Operational Support and Analysis).
All credits are earned through attendance of approved training courses and passing the modular exams. All Intermediate level exams are 90 minutes long and consist of multiple choice questions divided into 8 main sections and based on Service Management scenarios. The pass mark for these exams is 70%, and answers are marked using gradient scoring (i.e. a = 2 marks, b = 1 mark, c = 0.5 marks, d = 0 marks).
The Intermediate-level certificates are independent qualifications and are aimed at individuals who wish to deepen their understanding of particular elements within Service Management, or who need to gain the V3 Diploma. It is recommended, although not required, that a student has 2 years of related work experience and basic exposure to IT concepts before attempting the Intermediate-level courses.
ITIL V3 Diploma/ITIL Expert
Once a student has gained 2 Foundation level credits and at least 15 Intermediate level credits, one final synoptic or normalizing module is compulsory in order to gain the V3 Diploma (or ‘ITIL Expert’). This module is worth 5 credits and is called ‘Managing Across the Lifecycle’.
Managing Across the Lifecycle is designed to complement the Intermediate modules previously studied by each candidate, by providing the ancillary knowledge necessary for practical implementation of the Service Management theory within a business context.
The examination for Managing Across the Lifecycle follows the same format as the other Intermediate level exams.
ITIL Master
The ultimate tier of the Service Management qualification depends much more than the earlier layers on practical experience and individual expertise. Eligibility is assessed through peer evaluation, written exams, case studies and simulations. recommends that at least eight years experience in IT Service Management will be expected of all Masters.
Simon Buehring is a project manager, consultant and trainer.
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