First Look - ITIL® 4 has arrived!

The newest iteration of ITIL, known as ITIL4, has been available through QA since the start of the year. Having been a global partner of AXELOS for many years, QA worked closely with AXELOS during the development of the new ITIL and had significant input into the new guidance and certification scheme to ensure it aligns with the needs of the modern organisation. ITIL 4 incorporates all of the best things from ITIL as it was known and expands the guidance to help businesses navigate the new technological era, commonly known as the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Our very own Adam Stewart, Learning Delivery Director at QA, is excited about the skills and practices ITIL4 enables for our customers:

"What's great about this iteration of ITIL is the adaptation and relevance to the needs of organisation who are operating in the digital age. It's going to significantly help enable a digitally focused operating model, the mainstay of modern businesses. Rest assured we at QA will be at the forefront of delivering the best blended learning experience to ensure our customers can practically apply this new version."

So, what specifically has changed?

In short, ITIL 4 builds on the previous guidance by providing a practical and flexible basis to support organisations on their journey to the new world of Digital Transformation. It provides an end-to-end digital operating model for the delivery and operation of tech-enabled products and services, enabling IT to continue to play a crucial role in the wider business strategy. The context of ITIL, with the release of ITIL 4, is now much bigger, with an emphasis on the business and technology world, how it works today, and how it will work in the future with Agile, DevOps and Digital Transformation. It is now much more relevant to developers, practitioners and businesses. This latest iteration moves away from a traditional process-led approach to value-driven delivery for people and organisations.

Is ITIL still relevant you may ask?

Well it is still used by millions of professionals globally, with many businesses built on its approach. Every year, organisations invest heavily in adopting and adapting ITIL into their business practices and upskilling their workforce with ITIL qualifications. The core fundamentals of ITIL continue to be as relevant to you and your businesses, as they are today, following the release of ITIL 4.

What about certification?

So now ITIL 4 has arrived, bringing with it with a greater focus on the world of digital transformation This brings up the question ‘should I continue with ITIL v3 certification?’.

Well it's clear that ITIL still continues to support organisations and individuals, globally, in establishing and maintaining their services and service management system. The guidance is proven in delivering value through its established best practice guidance. The core fundamentals of ITIL will continue to be relevant to you and your businesses today. Furthermore, the investments you've made in learning, certification and adoption, will continue to deliver value into your organisation even as the ITIL guidance evolves.

Ultimately your ITIL v3 investment is not going waste. If you have embarked on your learning journey, all current certifications remain valid following the update and the credits you've gained can help you continue in the new certification scheme.

What's next?

The ITIL 4 Foundation course launched in March 2019.

The following new ITIL courses are coming soon from QA:

• New ITIL 4 Foundation online – August 2019
• NEW ITIL 4 Managing Professional Transition Module and exam – October 2019

From the ITIL4 Managing Professional modules:

• ITIL 4 Specialist: Create, Deliver and Support - November 2019
• ITIL 4 Strategist: Direct, Plan and Improve - November 2019
• ITIL 4 Specialist: Drive Stakeholder Value - Q1 2020
• ITIL 4 Specialist: High Velocity IT - Q1 2020

Click to view the ITIL 4 Foundation Certification