Clearing The Mist Around ITIL

This article is intended to help you unravel the ITIL certification and qualification scheme. Let's start with defining ITIL. ITIL which stands for the Information Technology Infrastructure Library is a series of books that provides concepts and policies for managing information technology infrastructure, development and operations. There are currently four levels of qualification and 11 individual certifications in ITIL.



 



The first level of qualification and certification is the Foundation Level, frequently called V3 Foundations. This certification verifies the candidate's knowledge on ITIL terminology, structure, basic concepts, and practices for service management. Eligibility for certification is based on successfully passing the exam and designated training hours is 18. The exam consist of 40 multiple choice questions and you have 60 minutes to complete it with a passing score of 65% or higher. Once you have obtained your ITIL foundation certification, you receive two credits, and your next step is the intermediate level.



 



The intermediate level consists of ten potential certifications. To complete the intermediate level, you must receive a total of 22 credits and have completed 17 credits, before taking the final course in this level, Managing Across the Lifecycle. The Intermediate level is divided into Service Lifecycle and Service Capability. Service Lifecycle consists of five individual certificates. The focus on the introduction and implementation of each Lifecycle phase, form the five core books and thesis in the ITIL Lifecycle. These five core books and cycles are based on Service Strategy, Service Design, Service Transition, Service Operation and Continual Service Improvement. Each certification is worth 3 credits and designated training hours is 21. The exam is 90 minutes and consists of complex multiple choice questions, multipart and scenario based questions. The passing score is once again 65% and the prerequisite is certification in ITIL V3 Foundations or Bridge certification equivalent.



 



Service Capability consists for four certifications focusing on the processes and roles of IT Service Management and covers Operational Support and Analysis, Service Offerings and Agreements, Release, Control and Validation, Planning, Protection and Optimization. Each certification is also worth 3 credits and designated training hours is 30. Once again the exam is 90 minutes long and consists of complex, multiple-choice, multipart and scenario based questions and you have to have a passing score of 65% and the prerequisite is certification in ITIL V3 Foundations or Bridge certification equivalent.



 



The last certification needed in the intermediate level is Managing Across the Lifecycle. It focuses on the knowledge required to implement and manage the necessary skills associated with the Lifecycle phases and covers IT service management business and managerial issues, managing the planning and implementation of IT service management, managing of strategic change, risk management, managerial functions, understanding organizational challenges, lifecycle project assessment and understanding complimentary industry guidance.



 



The examination requirements for Managing Across the Lifecycle is worth 5 credits and the instruction is 30-hour long. Once again it is a 90 minute long exam consisting of complex, multiple choices, multipart and scenario based questions. The passing score is 65% and the prerequisite is ITIL Foundation Certified and a minimum of 17 credits from each of the Lifecycle modules or Capability modules.



 



The third level is the Expert level. This course brings together the Lifecycle approach to Service Management and consolidates the knowledge gained across the qualification scheme. There is no examination required for this level. Candidates must obtain a minimum of 22 credits. Two must be from the Foundations certification and five must be from the Managing Across The Lifecycle course, This is a mandatory final step and leaves the last level, the Advanced Level.



 



To be eligible for the ITIL Master Qualification, candidates must have reached the ITIL Expert Level and have worked in IT service management for at least five years in leadership, managerial, or higher management advisory levels.



 



We thank Russell Trobough, author on GogoTraining.com for his insight. Russell is the author of Project Management courses He is certified as a Project Management Professional, Certified Scrum Master, and ITIL V3 Foundation. For more information, you can contact us at http://www.gogotraining.com.