ITIL®– IT Infrastructure Library® for IT Service Management (ITSM) - ITIL 2011
ITIL, or to use its full name, the Information Technology Infrastructure Library®, is a methodology for managing IT as a service. It has a focus on the end user, rather than on the technology. ITIL is frequently used as a method of preparation for achieving ISO/IEC 20000 certification.
Here we present general information on ITIL, the relevant books and tools and the various qualifications and training options available.
What is on this page:
ITIL 2011
ITIL has undergone an extensive review project, and updated versions of the ITIL books were released on 29 July 2011. The idea behind the ITIL 2011 ‘refresh,’ is that the guidance becomes easier to navigate, learn, read, teach and adopt.
However, the ethos and original principles behind the ITILv3 framework have not changed. Read more about the 2011 update on our blog post: ‘So long ITILv3, hello ITIL’!
You can order the 2011 updated versions of the ITIL books from the IT Governance online store in various formats:
ITIL Beginner's Guide
Where do you start if you're new to ITIL?
Firstly, ensure that you use only genuine ITIL books, courses and tools. Unofficial publications, websites and toolkits are not guaranteed to align with ITIL best practice and, in tackling ITIL, you don't want to waste time using non-aligned, unaccredited books, courses or toolkits.
If you are new to ITIL, IT Governance suggests the following books as a good place to start; we also have a very useful free white paper and FAQ's that you can download for free!
Benefits Of Using ITIL
ITIL has been adopted by thousands of organisations throughout the world, including NASA, the UK National Health Service (NHS), HSBC bank and Disney™.
ITIL provides guidance on how to manage IT infrastructure so as to streamline IT services in line with business expectations. ITIL is a best practice framework, presenting the consolidated experience of organisations worldwide on how best to manage IT services to meet business needs.
Key benefits of adopting ITIL are:
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Improved customer satisfaction – you will achieve a professional approach to service delivery, meaning your customers will be more satisfied
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Increased staff retention
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Increased ROI in terms of IT
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Improved staff morale
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A more transparent approach towards IT costs and assets
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Improved delivery of third party services.
History Of ITIL
ITIL was originally developed during the 1980s by the UKs Central Computer and Telecommunication Agency (CCTA). The CCTA created ITIL (version 1) as an approach independent of vendor technology, able to cater for organisations with differing technical and business needs.
The CCTA (later the OGC) has now become part of the Cabinet Office who, as the owner of the ITIL library copyright, updated it and published version 2. ITIL was refreshed in 2007, and republished as Version 3. It subsequently underwent an extensive review during the course of 2010 and early 2011, and the new versions of the ITIL core books were published in July 2011.
ITIL has been widely adopted across the world, in both the public and the private sector, and is now recognised as best practice for IT service management. It is deployed in organisations of all sizes and types.
As an official distributor for the TSO (Official Publisher), we distribute the full range of official Cabinet Office ITIL publications from our sites. The core ITIL library is made up of five books, all of which are included in the ITIL Lifecycle Publication Suite.
ITIL Resources
The most useful resources for anyone adopting ITIL are, of course, the books in the ITIL 2011 Lifecycle Publication Suite. The books in this set form the core guidance to the ITIL methodology, and are essential for any organisation adopting ITIL, or for students who are doing the Intermediate exams.
IT Governance recommends these titles for anyone considering adopting ITIL:
We offer a wide range of titles from third-party publishers supporting the methodology, including books by Randy Steinberg, all of which are available in the Randy Steinberg ITIL Book Collection, We also offer a huge selection of ITIL Foundation and Intermediate eLearning and computer-based training courses.
ITIL & ITSM Toolkits
Adopting IT service management best practice within an organisation can be a difficult task. At IT Governance, however, we have a range of toolkits that simplify the process and enable you to achieve adoption on your own:
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ITSM, ITIL & ISO20000 Documentation Toolkit - Easily adopt ITIL and achieve ISO20000 certification quickly and cost-effectively with the most up-to-date toolkit on the market.
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ISO20000 Documentation Toolkit - This toolkit contains a set of policies, procedures and templates to assist any organisation to implement key elements of an ISO20000 service management system.
ITIL Training & Qualifications
ITIL has a comprehensive qualification scheme that allows IT service management professionals to gain recognition of their level of ITIL and ITSM management competency. The syllabuses for the ITIL qualifications are all based on the books in the ITIL Lifecycle Publication Suite.
The Official Accreditor for the ITIL examinations is the APM Group. APMG administers the ITIL certification scheme through Examination Institutes such as EXIN, ISEB, CSME.
There are currently four levels of certification, which are:
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Foundation
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Intermediate
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Expert
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Master.
In order to gain ITIL certification there are different study options available: distance learning, or using an accredited course. Distance learning options are offered for both the Foundation and the Intermediate exams. There is also a wide range of classroom-based courses for both the Foundation and Intermediate exams. Many of the above courses are accredited by the Official Accreditor or one of the Examination Institutes.
CSME and APMG accredited distance learning options are ideal for all those who prefer to learn in their own time and at their own pace. Other options include classroom training for those who can afford the time, travel and expense and who prefer classroom-based learning.
See our Interactive Diagram of the ITIL Certification Scheme.
To support your ITIL certification studies, it is always wise to invest in a range of materials that will guide your learning process and give you the best possible chance of passing the exam, or exams, you have chosen to take. IT Governance offer a leading range of study guides for both ITIL Foundation and Intermediate studies, including:
ITIL Foundation
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ITIL Foundation Handbook (Little ITIL) - 2011 Edition – A handy pocketbook covering the ITIL Foundation syllabus that is endorsed by itSMF International.
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ITIL Foundation Essentials – A handy pocket guide highlighting all the salient information.
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Passing the ITIL Foundation Exam - 2011 Edition – The official study guide to the ITIL Foundation exam.
ITIL Intermediate
The ITIL Intermediate exams are structured around two streams, the Lifecycle and Capability streams. Read our page ITSM learning for more information on the Intermediate qualifications.
We offer a range of Intermediate distance learning courses.
ITIL Certification For Organisations
ITIL is a framework of best practice for IT service management. It is not a standard or specification in which organisations can gain certification to meet or demonstrate certain criteria.
The standard to which organisations can be certified to demonstrate the maturity of their ITSM processes is ISO/IEC 20000. By implementing the standard and meeting the specification within Part 1 of ISO/IEC 20000, organisations can gain certification of their ITSM processes to show they follow best practice.
You can find further information on ISO/IEC 20000 here.
ITIL, IT Service Management and ISO20000
There is a practical relationship between the various books and guides to ITIL , IT Service Management, and ISO/IEC 20000, as shown below:
Although they are integrated, ITIL and the ISO 20000 series serve different purposes. Primarily, the ISO 20000 series is to provide an independent best practice standard that is suitable for independent third-party certification audits.
The purpose of ITIL is to provide advice on best practices in IT service management. It includes options that may be adopted and adapted by organisations according to business need, local circumstances and the maturity of the service provider. ISO20000 sets the standards that service management processes should aim for. Here is an official guidance paper, by Jenny Dugmore and Sharon Taylor, on the relationship between ITIL and ISO/IEC 20000.
The ISO 20000 Practitioner Training course is ideal for anyone preparing to implement ISO 20000. Covering the interpretation and application of the ISO/IEC 20000 standard, delegates completing this course receive the APMG accredited ISO 20000 Practitioner certificate. This course also features a pass the course guarantee! Read more.
Service Level Agreements
Service level agreements (or SLAs) are at the heart of ITIL and are used to describe agreed levels of service between a service provider and a customer – and are applicable both inside and outside an organisation.
Become a leader in the ITIL field by using our tools and books to build your ITIL expertise.
Need assistance with your ITSM, ITIL or ISO 20000 Adoption/Implementation?
If the answer to the above question is yes, IT Governance now offer an extensive ITIL, ITSM and ISO 20000 consultancy service.