2020-02-27
With ITIL 4 Foundation live and with many of us underway with our ITIL 4 Foundation training what are our ITIL 4 certification next steps beyond foundation? Let's explore our options:
Let's Remind ourselves of the RoadMap
The ITIL 4 Certification Scheme comprises of the following modules:
ITIL Managing Professional (ITIL MP) Specialist Modules
ITIL MP targets IT practitioners working within technology and digital teams across businesses. The Managing Professional (MP) stream provides practical and technical knowledge about how to run successful IT projects, teams and workflows.
It integrates three specialist modules (Create, Deliver & Support, Drive Stakeholder Value, and High-Velocity IT) and the ITIL 4 Strategist Direct, Plan & Improve module. All modules are valuable independently but all 4 must be completed to obtain the ITIL Managing Professional designation. The ITIL Managing Professional modules mandates completion of ITIL 4 Foundation as a prerequisite.
It has been designed to allow ITIL v3 candidates who have already invested to easily transition across to ITIL 4. They can gain the designation of ITIL 4 Managing Professional via one course and one exam. The transition module enables candidates to recognise their previous achievements while still gaining the up-to-date skills and knowledge needed to navigate the digital service economy.
The module will provide information on the key elements of the following modules from ITIL 4 Managing Professional:
- ITIL 4 Specialist Create, Deliver and Support
- ITIL 4 Specialist Drive Stakeholder Value
- ITIL 4 Specialist High Velocity IT
- ITIL 4 Strategist Direct Plan and Improve
The course will also provide an introduction and cover the key concepts found in ITIL 4 Foundation.
To take the transition module, all candidates must be at Expert level or have a minimum of 17 v3 credits. It is therefore aimed at candidates who have a strong knowledge of ITIL v3.
What's live now?
ITIL(r) 4 Specialist: Direct, Plan & Improve
ITIL® 4 Strategist: Direct, Plan, and Improve Training gives you the practical skills necessary to create a 'learning and improving' IT organization, with a strong and effective strategic direction. It covers the influence and impact of Agile and Lean ways of working, and how they can be leveraged to an organization's advantage. It will provide practitioners with a practical and strategic method for planning and delivering continual improvement with necessary agility.
Key Features of this ITIL 4 Training:
- ITIL(r) 4 Specialist: Direct, Plan & Improve exam included (exam taken in-class or exam voucher provided)
- After-course instructor coaching benefit
- Practice exams, prep questions, and additional resources included
ITIL(r) 4 Specialist: Create, Deliver, and Support
ITIL® 4 Strategist: Direct, Plan, and Improve Training covers the 'core' service management activities and the 'creation' of services. It focuses on the integration of different value streams and activities to create, deliver and support IT-enabled products and services while also covering supporting practices, methods and tools and an understanding of service quality and improvement methods.
Key Features of this ITIL 4 Training:
- ITIL(r) 4 Specialist: Create, Deliver, and Support exam included (exam taken in-class or exam voucher provided)
- After-course instructor coaching benefit
- Practice exams, prep questions, and additional resources included
Are there any Additional Resources?
Yes a series of official textbooks has been produced and the goods news is that when you take training with Learning Tree we will provide you with a copy of the relevant textbook in advance of your course so you can get your preparation and studying underway. We will also provide you with an expert guide of where to get started.
The 'ITIL 4 Managing Professional' range comprises the Higher Level ITIL 4 publications that follow on from ITIL 4 Foundation.
Create, Deliver and Support: Focusing on the integration of different value streams and activities to create, deliver and support IT-enabled products and services whilst also covering supporting practices, methods and tools
Drive Stakeholder Value: Covering engagement and interaction between a service provider and their customers, users, suppliers and partners
High Velocity IT: Exploring the ways in which digital organizations and digital operating models function in high velocity environments, helping aspiring organizations operate in a similar way to successful digitally-native organizations
Direct, Plan and Improve: Providing the practical skills necessary to create a 'learning and improving' IT organization, with a strong an effective strategic direction, providing practitioners with a practical and strategic method for planning and delivering continual improvement with the necessary agility
What will be released next and when?
The next two ITIL(r) 4 Specialist: modules are planned to be released in the first half of 2020.
Drive Stakeholder Value
This module covers all types of engagement and interaction between a service provider and their customers, users, suppliers and partners. It focusses on the conversion of demand into value via IT-enabled services.
- Manage stakeholders and create personalized services that exceed expectations.
The module covers key topics such as SLA design, multi-supplier management, communication, relationship management, CX and UX design, customer journey mapping, and more.
It will provide candidates with the tools to increase stakeholder satisfaction which is integral to business success in the current competitive landscape.
ITIL Specialist Drive Stakeholder Value is aimed at practitioners who are responsible for managing and integrating stakeholders, focus on the customer journey and experience, and/or are responsible for fostering relationships with partners and suppliers.
High Velocity IT
This module explores the ways in which digital organizations and digital operating models function in high velocity environments. It will help aspiring organizations to operate in a similar way to successful digitally-native organizations.
This module includes the use of working practices such as Agile and Lean, and technical practices and technologies such as Cloud, Automation, and Automatic Testing, focusing on rapid delivery of products & services to obtain maximum value.
ITIL Specialist High Velocity IT is aimed at IT managers and practitioners involved in digital services or working in digital transformation projects, working within or towards high velocity environments.
ITIL Strategic Leader (ITIL SL)
ITIL Strategic Leader recognises the value of ITIL, not just for IT Operations, but for all digitally enabled services. Becoming an ITIL Strategic Leader (ITIL SL) demonstrates that the professional has a clear understanding of how IT influences and directs business strategy. ITIL Strategic Leader integrates the ITIL Strategist Direct, Plan & Improve and ITIL Leader Digital & IT Strategy module. Both modules are valuable independently but both must be completed to obtain the ITIL Strategic Leader designation. The ITIL Leader Digital & IT Strategy module mandates 3 years of managerial experience as a prerequisite along with completion of ITIL 4 Foundation.
ITIL Leader Digital & IT Strategy module is due for release in 2020.
ITIL Master
If a candidate completes all 5 modules, gaining both designations from the two streams, they will be eligible for assessment to become an ITIL Master. More details about[:uk]With ITIL 4 Foundation live and with many of us underway with our ITIL 4 Foundation training what are our ITIL 4 certification next steps beyond foundation? Let's explore our options: