ITIL Certification Path: An Overview

Organisations often require efficient Information Technology Service Management (ITSM) practices in today’s fast-paced and ever-changing IT landscape to ensure smooth operations and deliver value to their customers. To achieve this excellence, organisations can obtain Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) Certification. Obtaining this certification can help IT professionals follow a ITIL Certification Path. ITIL Certifications, have become an essential asset for IT professionals seeking career advancement. Read this blog to learn more about ITIL Certification Path, its exams, and different training and how to obtain them. 

Table of Contents

1) What is ITIL? 

2) ITIL 4 Certification Path: An Overview 

   a) ITIL Foundation 

   b) ITIL Managing Professional 

   c) ITIL Strategic Leader 

   d) ITIL Master 

3) Scope of ITIL-certified professional 

4) Conclusion 

What is ITIL? 

The ITIL, or Information Technology Infrastructure Library, is a complete guidance that assists companies in managing their IT services properly. ITIL is a unified approach to IT Service Management, offering a defined set of guidelines, best practices, and processes for aligning IT services with business needs and objectives.

The origin of ITIL dates back to the United Kingdom and, the British government employed it to harmonise IT operations. On the other hand, ITIL developed a strong international recognition and acceptance over the time.

ITIL's main aim is to coordinate IT services with the expectations of the business. It facilitates providing value to customers by establishing how to design, migrate, run, and improve IT processes.
 

ITIL 4 Certification Path: An overview 

ITIL Certification is a great asset for IT professionals because it demonstrates their knowledge and skills in IT Service Management per the latest industry standards. It can help advance your career and contribute effectively to your organisations' IT service delivery and management practices. ITIL v4 has updated the certification scheme with four levels of certification:

ITIL Foundation

Irrelevant of the path you choose to take, the first step will be to clear the ITIL Foundation which is an entry-level certification. This covers the basics of ITIL 4, which is the latest version.

If you are sitting for the ITIL 4 Foundation exam, you should have a brief knowledge of the following:

a) Creating valuable products and services for customers and shareholders

b) Basic principles of ITIL 4

c) Four dimensions of service management

d) Best practices of ITIL 4

e) Key concepts of Lean, agile, and DevOps

ITIL Foundation course takes place in class sessions for two and a half days. Finally, you will have to pass a one-hour exam, which will include 40 multiple-choice questions; you need to answer 26 correctly to pass.

Courses are provided via accredited training organisations and can be found on the Axelos website. You can also choose to work independently by using sample questions and other resources from Axelos or other providers. The exam format for ITIL Foundation is as follows: 

a) 40 questions 

b) Multiple choice questions 

c) 60% required to pass (26 out of 40) 

d) 60 minutes 

e) Closed book 

If you pass this level, you will be awarded the ITIL Foundation Certification, a solid foundation for advancing to becoming an ITIL Master.

ITIL Managing Professional  

Candidates often ask: What Next After ITIL Foundation? Well, we have provided the answer. The ITIL Managing Professional (MP) stage is a critical step in the ITIL Certification Path. It is designed for IT professionals seeking practical knowledge and skills in ITSM best practices. It builds upon the basics of ITIL Foundation and prepares professionals to create, deliver, and support IT services that meet business requirements in a digitally driven environment. The ITIL MP Certification is divided into four modules, each focusing on different aspects of ITSM. To get certified in ITIL MP, you must pass the following four modules:  

a) ITIL 4 Specialist: Create, Deliver, and Support (CDS): This module examines the entire process of designing, delivering, and supporting IT services, including service design, service transition, service operation, and continuous improvement practices.  

b) ITIL 4 Specialist: Drive Stakeholder Value (DSV): This module focuses on understanding and managing customer and stakeholder needs, expectations, and relationships. Customer experience management, relationship management, and service level management are all covered in this module. 

c) ITIL 4 Specialist: High-Velocity IT (HVIT): This module focuses on applying digital technologies and methods to optimise IT operations in high-velocity environments. It covers practices like Agile, DevOps, and Lean IT, which allow organisations to deliver services more quickly.   

d) ITIL 4 Strategist: Direct, Plan, and Improve (DPI): This module focuses on ITSM strategies, such as governance, risk management, and strategic planning. It covers leadership, planning, and improvement practices to ensure IT services align with business goals. 

Exam format: 

a) 40 questions 

b) Multiple choice questions 

c) 70% required to pass (28 out of 40) 

d) 60 minutes 

e) Closed book 

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ITIL Strategic Leader 

ITIL SL Certification is not restricted to IT operations services but to all the digitised services that are delivered by the organisation. This certification is all about the effects of IT on business and its strategies. To earn your ITIL SL Certification, you’ll need to pass two exam modules:

ITIL Strategist Direct Plan & Improve: This is the same module of the MP Certification and includes all the information on developing a high-performing and self-improving IT organisation. The module can be equally considered as an input to both paths because it is created for “the Front-line Managers, Middle Managers, and other top executives who are involved in defining direction and strategy, or continuously improving the team”. The exam format for ITIL DPI Strategist is as follows: 

a) 40 questions 

b) Multiple choice questions 

c) 70% required to pass (28 out of 40) 

d) 90 minutes 

e) Closed book 

ITIL Leader Digital & IT Strategy: In the second module, you’ll gain the knowledge about both business and IT strategy and the skills to deal with disruptive technologies. It reviews issues of competitiveness in a dynamic environment, offering flexible environment in the organisation, and implementing valuable IT and digital strategies to enhance business success. The exam format of ITIL Strategist DITS Leader is as follows:

a) 30 questions 

b) Multiple choice questions 

c) 70% required to pass (21 out of 30) 

d) 60 minutes 

e) Closed book 

To make this stage easier, you must study the official ITIL SL study materials, attend accredited training courses, and engage in practical exercises and case studies to develop strategic thinking and Leadership Skills. Knowledge of organisational strategy, digital technologies, and IT Governance will help pass the ITIL SL exams.

Those who pass both modules will receive the ITIL Strategic Leader designation, indicate their ability to provide strategic Leadership in ITSM, align IT services with business objectives, and drive digital transformation initiatives within their organisations.

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ITIL Master 

The ITIL Master is the highest level in the ITIL Certification Path, and it is intended for IT professionals with exceptional expertise and practical experience in ITSM. It is a prestigious certification that recognises individuals who have demonstrated exceptional mastery of ITIL Key Concepts and practises in real-world scenarios.

To be recognised as ITIL Master, you must secure the Managing Professional and Strategic Leader certifications. Additionally, you must have at least five years of practical experience in ITSM roles.

The ITIL Master has no set syllabus or training course. It is instead a recognition of a person's ability to apply ITIL concepts and practises in complex and challenging environments. It is considered extremely difficult and requires a thorough understanding of ITIL concepts and extensive practical experience in ITSM. At this stage, you must demonstrate your ability to apply ITIL principles in various diverse and complex situations and demonstrate your leadership and communication skills.

Done with the ITIL Foundation certification? Next stop – ITIL Managing Professional Certification. Get started with our ITIL® 4 Specialist: Create Deliver And Support CDS Course.

These certifications address various roles and responsibilities in ITSM, allowing individuals to develop their knowledge and skills.

Scope of ITIL-certified professional 

ITIL is not limited to one single domain. It is a framework that can be used in any industry or organisation. It is used in the biggest of corporations and organisations like NASA. Understanding the scope and potential of an ITIL-certified professional is crucial for career advancement. ITIL Framework, enhances certified professionals' capabilities in effectively managing service transitions. Wherever there is a need for delivering or managing IT services, ITIL-certified professionals will be needed.   

There is a significant amount of job roles that can benefit from an ITIL-certified individual. Depending on the stage of your ITIL certification, companies will be more than willing to offer you challenging and rewarding roles. 

Some of the job roles that can benefit from ITIL professionals are: 

1) IT Project Manager 

2) IT Business Analyst 

3) Service Delivery Manager 

4) IT Manager 

5) IT Director 

6) IT System Administrators 

7) IT Consultants 

8) Vice-President (VP) of IT 

9) Chief IT Officer (CIO) 

Average Salaries of ITIL professionals
 

                                                                                                                                               Source: Glassdoor 

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Conclusion 

ITIL has been the standard framework for IT Service and delivery management since 1980’s. It’s a proven framework that is used by most organisations. When navigating the IT service management landscape, ITIL can provide valuable insights and enhance your proficiency in applying this widely adopted framework. Since Organisations are always hunting for a skilled ITIL certified professionals who can protect and grow their IT investments. Following this ITIL Certification Path will give you a clear idea of how to reach the ITIL master stage. 

Start with ITIL Certification Course to learn about the world’s leading IT Service Management framework.