ITIL and ITSM are not the same

One of the more common misnomers that people often confront is the disparity between ITIL and ITSM; this is to say that the two items are often confused for one another in a sense.   Let’s clarify, shall we?  ITIL stands for Information Technology Infrastructure Library; it is a collection of the best practices, processes, and methodologies for instituting, maintaining, or improving IT infrastructure(s).  ITSM on the other hand, stands for Information Technology Service management.  ITSM is the actual practice of establishing and delivering critical services to organizations, which is centrally focused on specific benefit to customers, for example.  Likewise, ITSM is something that actually takes advantage of, and / or uses ITIL.  So in other words, ITIL is essentially the reference and ITSM is the action(s).

Now that we’ve cleared that up, let’s examine how ITIL Intermediate training works to further reinforce ITSM (overall).  First off, one of the distinguishing characteristics of ITIL Intermediate training is its focus on the IT service lifecycle.  Incidentally, ITSM just so happens to be an amalgamation of the various processes involved in carrying out the IT service lifecycle.  In other words, through the study of ITIL Intermediate with its predisposition toward the IT service lifecycle, one can institute ITSM practices which are not only more in line with what’s proven to work well, but also meet or exceed the desires of the consumer base (in which they serve).

If we take a closer look at any ITIL Intermediate program we’ll see that it is actually broken up into various sections, with each one corresponding to certain element (or elements) of managing and/or maintaining the IT service lifecycle model:

• SO – Service Operation
• ST – Service Transition
• CSI – Continual Service Improvement
• SD – Service Design
• SS – Service Strategy
• PPO – Planning, Protection & Optimization
• OSA – Operational Support & Analysis
• RCV – Release, Control & Validation
• SOA – Service Offerings & Agreements
• MALC – Managing Across the Lifecycle (Comprehensive)

Areas like Service Operation, Service Transition, CSI, and Service Design are essentially focused on individual elements of ITSM and perfectly correspond with the concepts of establishing, maintaining, improving and integrating new ideas.  Components like Service Strategy, PPO, OSA, and RCV however are more practical in nature.  This is to say that these areas deal more with uncertainty than some other areas, the way in which these elements are used will depend largely upon the setup, nature, and demands of the organization which is being serviced.  SOA touches upon more specialized issues as well as the finer points of service agreements, which are becoming increasingly important.  Lastly, we have MALC, or managing across the lifecycle.  MALC is essentially a compendium of all the various points inherent to ITIL Intermediate and service management with regards to the IT lifecycle.  More often than not, those seeking training and/or certification in MALC are higher level employees with experience or initiative.

It’s also important to note that those who might be seeking expert training / certification will actually be studying a great number of areas laid out in the aforementioned bulleted list.  These components serve as a bulk cross-section of various Expert or Manager Programs in ITIL, with extra areas of study being added to round out the training level.  Given that a lot of the same materials can be found and are used in both Intermediate as well as Managing Across the Lifecycle programs; students should be aware that any Intermediate training / certification that they endure can be utilized to build up eligibility to enrol in a higher level program (should they choose to seek it at a later date, for example).

Are there any other reasons why an IT professional should take up study of ITIL Intermediate?  Rest assured, there are plenty of reasons as to why IT careerists across the board should strongly consider ITIL Intermediate training. One of the most compelling is the immediate benefits that one can expect to reap in their current career.  Remember, ITIL is merely a collection of the best proven processes; if you want to impress corporate leadership; ITIL Intermediate is a good place to start.  What you learn throughout the course of an ITIL Intermediate e-learning program will allow you to positively impact your fellow employees as well as make more informed decisions and offer up better solutions.

So, what’s so great about ITIL Intermediate with regards to ITSM?  ITIL Intermediate allows IT professionals to choose specific areas to specialize in, which gives them the freedom to not only learn how to do their job better, but also makes room for future expansion and better on-the-job problem solving.  Employers also generally love the prospect of having their IT workers educated in ITIL, this alone can lead to better employment opportunities and future promotions within existing organizations.

Choose or create your own custom ITIL Intermediate e-learning package here.

The benefits and perks of engaging in ITIL training and/or certification are many and have been widely explored by many involved in the IT career field.  ITIL training programs might be offered in standardized format(s), which more or less limits the options available to IT careerists who might be seeking this form of specialized training.  This is not to say that all ITIL e-learning programs are in accordance with this type of established pattern though.  For example, the Intermediate ITIL programs offered through a dedicated e-learning solutions provider like the Art of Service often give prospective students many options.  Many of these same ITIL intermediate programs will be centrally focused on specific areas of the IT lifecycle; giving IT professionals who are already employed the ability to choose options that will immediately benefit them in their daily duties.

Employers look for ITIL Intermediate training

But as we all know, ITIL training isn’t just about preparation for short-term or immediate challenges, it is also oriented toward long-term development and strategic career planning.  Because businesses across the globe are tightening and toning up their respective IT assets, greater emphasis is being placed on practices that have been shown to assist in profit generation (and security).  In other words, ITIL is one of the most useful and comprehensive collections of the best practices and methods for establishing, maintaining and improving IT infrastructure.   From the point of view of many employers, training in ITIL is a good sign that not only can certain expectations be met, but also that particular technologies can potentially be implemented (by an IT department with an intimate knowledge of ITIL).   

What is it that makes ITIL such a powerhouse resource?  Is it the way that the ITIL system itself collects, analyzes, monitors and institutes its solutions and policies?  In a word: yes.

Unlike other training / learning / reference compendiums, ITIL is not heavily bogged down with unnecessary bureaucratic means of distributing or collecting information.   In fact, anyone that can offer up information or findings to ITIL which has been proven useful and/or beneficial is free to do so.  This is to say that those responsible for deciding what goes into the ITIL make no distinction between proven methodologies based on whether they originate from academic, public, or private sources.  In ITIL, if it works, then it will likely be included in the next edition, end of story.  It is this shedding of overtly bureaucratic pathways which enable IT –centric lexicons like the ITIL to not only include any and all pertinent information, but to do so at a much faster pace.

However, this faster rate of inclusion / change in ITIL-related experimentation / research / methodology also creates the need for IT professionals to put forth a greater effort toward maintaining their knowledge base.  Most career IT workers for example might elect to explore new developments on an annual basis, while others who are more proactive might elect to seek out new findings as they become immediately available.  Once again, this is where ITIL e-learning is not only beneficial, but preferable over other forms as it often allows for the study of specific areas via specialized programs.  The end result of customized ITIL study, which is delivered digitally, is that you learn / retain more information and end up spending less capital in the process as well to do so.

 For today’s IT professional, who is more or less “on-the-go”, most of the time, there might not be a lot of time available to devote toward continuing professional development programs like ITIL; all of that changes with the introduction of e-learning to the picture.  Because quality ITIL e-learning is delivered via a digital platform and is viewable on virtually any and all devices (including PC’s, Mac’s, laptops, smartphones, and tablets) you don’t have to set aside specific times to study, you can basically study anywhere, at any time.

But ITIL e-learning isn’t just about convenience, according to many, it is actually preferable over all other forms because it creatively, thoroughly and concisely delivers the information needed in a manner that greatly assists in the learning process.  This is to say that ITIL e-learning bends to meet the student (in many ways) as opposed to the student having to change direction to meet the requirements of a secondary program which might not only be more expensive, but also create an abundance of inherent scheduling conflicts.

So, what’s the bottom line?  If you are an IT professional who has an eye on your present and future career challenges, ITIL training (and certification) should be of great importance to you.  New technologies and continuous improvements to existing ones are always emerging, anyone who might be employed within the IT sector is undoubtedly already aware of this fact.  The real question is; how many IT professionals who are aware of the inherent power of ITIL will act upon it and use it to their advantage in a career setting this year?  Will you be among them?

To see the options which are available in ITIL Intermediate e-learning, click here.

By now everyone within the professional IT community should be familiar with and instituting ITIL-related ideas and/or policies as part of their everyday duties.  Some of the most prestigious, and connected organizations are in fact utilizing ITIL to its fullest extent.  For those that aren’t particularly familiar with ITIL, you might be wondering why this might be the case, right?

According to information which can be freely obtained through several news sources, the NIST (or, National Institute of Standards and Technology) adopted ITIL practices and processes in their day-to-day activities nearly a decade ago.  Lack of understanding and/or training in ITIL will certainly not help in landing you any employment opportunities with NIST; when it comes to ITIL, NIST is definitely on board.  In fact, the cloud computing literature being published and produced by NIST is purported to be perfectly aligned with ITIL.   But ITIL isn’t merely an outside reference material to the NIST, it has become integral to the way they carry out their operations as well.

Before we go any further, let’s establish what the NIST actually does, or rather, is responsible for.    The most immediate duty of the NIST is to develop technological standards and help reinforce them.  But in recent times, the NIST have been frequently called upon to aid in the improvement of the production, assimilation, and dependability of emerging technologies.  This is to say that the NIST is literally helping to improve entire industries from the ground up through their policies and problem solving tactics.

 What are the benefits of implementing ITIL?

If we are to learn what those who are working from within NIST have to say (about ITIL), the key to optimal adoption of ITIL is a slow transition.  When they started integrating ITIL concepts around 9 years ago they (NIST) opted to start with their most immediate issues and essentially “fill in the blanks” later.  This was done intentionally so as to not alienate employees; ITIL is fairly dense subject to study, and trying to integrate all concepts at once will certainly lead to confusion and/or failure.  So what benefits have the NIST reported?  Specifically, the NIST have stated that adherence to an ITIL framework has improved overall infrastructure, helped to create a more streamlined incident management system, and has boosted efficiency across the board.

So, how does this affect you as an IT professional?  Well for starters, it should be blatantly apparent that ITIL and ITIL training are beneficial, especially if they’re being tapped by those who literally issue the standards we all adhere to.  The NIST (and their ITL group) are actively working toward ensuring that their releases are in accordance with ITIL methodologies.  Since most IT professionals are subject to the regulations being developed by the NIST (and the NIST apparently values ITIL enough to account for it) it only makes sense that your average IT worker should also possess an intimate knowledge of ITIL as well.  This also speaks volumes about what the NIST actually thinks about ITIL with regards to its staying power, and/or future importance.

OK, so now we’ve established that ITIL knowledge and training are apparently very useful to organizations which are at the very height of technology.  Likewise, it should be clear that there are significant reasons as to why ITIL training should be on every IT professional’s wish list.

If you’ve already decided that you’d like to jump into formalized study of ITIL you might be wondering what options you have.

There are courses that are offered through technical schools and universities which cover ITIL, but they can be somewhat foreboding for IT careerists.  This is largely because courses which require physical attendance can severely disrupt one’s work schedule and put undue strain on one’s ability to learn / absorb information.  Then of course you have the cost of on-site courses, which (can) literally run upwards into the thousands-of-dollars.  Are there any cost effective solutions which are not only convenient, but also affordable?

ITIL training and certification are now successfully delivered via an e-learning method, and can be delivered digitally to any number of devices (including PC’s, Mac’s, tablets, and smartphones).   The benefits of ITIL e-learning are numerous, and the costs, extremely attractive.  IT professionals who have a background in ITIL should only expect to encounter increasing opportunities and job security, not to mention, upward mobility.

If you’re ready to begin your ITIL training and/or certification, simply click here.    The programs offered here are designed by experts to help you retain more information and facilitate the certification process.  Additionally, these programs are delivered digitally, viewable on any device, and cost only a fraction of what on-site courses might cost.  If you’re looking for a dedicated ITIL learning solution, you just found it.

Right after someone is introduced to ITIL, the tendency is to attempt to learn as much as possible about the various types of study programs that are available (in order to choose the most suitable or complimentary one to their job/career/aspiration).   There’s ITIL foundation; which is really angled toward ITIL beginners.   ITIL expert: which is the culmination of  very thorough and demanding ITIL studies that’s more or less designed for IT managers and/or, those with lots of experience in the field.  Then of course you have ITIL Intermediate.  On its face, ITIL Intermediate is exactly what its name suggests, which is a program covering the territory between beginner and expert; but it’s (ITIL Intermediate) actually much more than that.

While other ITIL areas of study do in fact reference the IT lifecycle, specifically MALC (managing across the lifecycle), ITIL Intermediate places a central focus on it.  In truth, the work / study performed during an Intermediate study program is nearly identical to that of an expert one, minus certain advanced components.  Most people elect to study Intermediate simply because it is the most sensible and cost effective solution for those that aren’t on the level of an IT manager.  Likewise, one of the great things about ITIL Intermediate is that it can be completed and still used as a component of a more advanced program at a later date.

So, what is it that makes ITIL Intermediate such a unique prospect?  For starters, intermediate training programs often focus on specific business-related qualms with regards to establishing, maintaining, or changing IT service(s).  This includes areas like risk management as well as more intensive IT service management practices which are designed to take advantage of, and/or service the ideas of business leaders within an organization.

All in all, ITIL Intermediate is a more intensive look at service management as a whole.  Once again, the idea is to learn to identify potential problems / risks as well as to begin analyzing data which could point to catching potential problems before they arise.  As more and more organizations come to rely on the services provided by IT, the need for advanced risk management protection(s) becomes extremely important.  This is how it works in the business world; risk management is as important as the any other group of tasks that are performed on a regular basis, perhaps even more so; why should IT be any different?

Additionally, an ITIL Intermediate program will cover areas related to service assessment and the various methods that can be used to accomplish such a thing.  An accurate service assessment in particular is very important because it sets the tone for all subsequent changes to come.  It should also go without saying that business-minded individuals generally have no idea what may be lacking or working in terms of current service abilities.  For example, it is up to IT to accurately portray the abilities and shortcomings of their current (IT) infrastructure so that both appropriate planning can be instituted and steps can be taken to rectify problems before they are given the opportunity to fail in the middle of a big production quarter.

What is the best way to complete ITIL Intermediate training?

But enough about what ITIL Intermediate seeks to accomplish, the real questions are; what’s the best way to train in it, and what can it do for your career?  There are a number of great ITIL courses / programs available which are carried out in physical locations, but they are also prohibitive in many ways.  For example, an on-site ITIL Intermediate course might set you back a few thousand dollars and cause serious scheduling conflicts; which in turn will greatly influence your ability to learn / absorb the knowledge.  This reduced ability in terms of comprehension will undoubtedly make it harder to attain certification, which pretty much negates the purpose of seeking out ITIL training in the first place.

A much better training solution is the e-learning option (for ITIL Intermediate).  Through ITIL e-learning you will get not only a program that’s been meticulously designed by industry experts but also one that can be studied at your leisure.  If that wasn’t enough, most ITIL e-learning programs for Intermediate study are also delivered / viewable on any device, including tablets and smartphones.  As for your (IT) career, ITIL training will only make you a more valuable asset in the eyes of your employer, and armed with the knowledge gained from said program, you will also be able to implement newer and better solutions to existing and emerging problems as well.

If you want to learn more about ITIL intermediate, click here.

When most ITIL devotees hear about COBIT (which stands for Control Objectives for IT) the tendency is for them to question why on Earth yet another governance system would be needed.  After all, doesn’t ITIL deal directly with virtually all governance issues in IT?  Though ITIL and COBIT are similar in their scope and duties they are in fact meant to be used in different ways, or rather, both systems perform specific duties which seem similar but really aren’t.

ITIL tends to focus toward specific services which are to be delivered by an IT organization (including all the various methodologies which have been developed for these ends).  COBIT, on the other hand, is geared toward identifying what needs to be directed within IT and how these elements are to be measured / calculated.  Does this imply that ITIL and COBIT are perfect partners in every regard?  No, of course not; any time you start combining governance and framework methodologies there will be adjustments that need to be made.  Simply put; ITIL and COBIT are both sufficiently complex enough that incorporating them simultaneously could be seen as a sort of trail and error process.   However, those organizations which figure out how to utilize both ITIL and COBIT will greatly benefit in at least 3 different ways.

1. Future alterations and additions are more streamlined because standardized processes have been put into place.
2. The entire IT operation is more transparent and understood by a larger percentage of employees.
3. Efficiency is improved and there is a better system in place for dealing with and/or preventing lapses.

While ITIL is about hands on methodologies for problem solving in a real world setting using proven processes, COBIT (as previously mentioned) is about IT governance.  The components of IT governance are as follows:

• Performance Management – Keeping track of progress and shortfalls
• Strategic Alignment – Aligning business interests with the capabilities of IT
• Risk Management – Dodging disasters through ongoing assessment of risk(s)
• Value Delivery – Ensuring that IT services are cost effective
• Resource Management – Further adjudication of IT assets / resources

As you are likely well aware, ITIL is intimately associated with IT service management.  So, whereas COBIT is centrally focused on the big picture concerning what IT should be doing, ITIL deals with the individual components, or services, which comprise a functional system.  The components of IT service management are as follows:

• Quality Management
• Delivery and support
• Control objectives
• Program management
• Security management

While both IT governance and service management may seem to be nearly identical upon first glance, they are in fact situated on entirely different levels.  A simple analogy would be; if COBIT is equivalent with the plot / outline of a novel, then ITIL would be a chapter by chapter synopsis.  This isn’t a perfect illustration of course, but hopefully it helps to highlight what each system does (or should be doing).

ITIL Intermediate

If you are an IT professional or manager, chances are, you’re probably interested in ITIL training and / or certification.  The question is; what is the best type of program to study if COBIT is being implemented in tandem with ITIL?  In truth, any dedicated and thorough ITIL program is sufficient enough to help IT workers align themselves with upper level governance strategies.  But an ITIL Intermediate program is arguably the most prudent choice for the greatest percentage of IT professionals simply because it is extremely thorough in addition to being centered on the IT service lifecycle.  An ITIL Intermediate program is also not nearly as intensive (or expensive) as the requirements to achieve the ITIL expert certificate, and bulk pricing for multiple licenses are often available as well (assuming you are an IT manager who wants your team to get certified/trained in ITIL).

So, what is it that makes Intermediate training a perfect companion for instituting additional COBIT practices?  The information, methodologies, and processes outlined in ITIL Intermediate allow individual workers to focus on specific components of IT service management, while not interfering with the upper level decision making process inherent to a system like COBIT.

If you are ready to plunge into ITIL Intermediate it is highly advisable that you seek out a fine e-leaning program in lieu of traditional classroom training.  There are several reasons as to why e-learning is the superior choice (especially for IT careerists):

• Digitally delivered e-learning for ITIL (Intermediate) is extremely cost effective, often costing 4 to 8 times less than other educational methods.
• Course materials are viewable on virtually any device, including PC’s, Mac’s, Tablets, Laptops, and Smartphones.  This gives you the ability to study whenever, and however you choose.  Perfect for busy career schedules.
• Greater care is often taken to organize course materials so that learning is facilitated to a greater degree (retention of information).
• Most ITIL Intermediate e-learning programs come with bundled certification preparation (sometimes with coupons for free testing).

The simple fact of the matter is that employers in nearly every field of business and technology are coming to depend upon ITIL certification and training.   Today, most businesses expect potential or current IT employees to have some form of ITIL education; (look at it from their point of view; they are simply trying to put their best foot forward and protect their assets).

For some of the best ITIL Intermediate e-learning programs currently available, click here.