As technology is advancing, we are becoming more and more dependent on technology and online services for doing our job. This has also increased the role and demand of the IT team. For a big team with several responsibilities, there is a need for standard processes and practices for keeping the work under control. These practices are defined by the Information Technology Infrastructure Library or ITIL.
ITIL can be considered as a library of volumes that describe the best practices framework to deliver IT service. Since its inception, it has been through multiple revisions. Currently, it consists of 5 volumes covering the role of the IT division from managing improvements in the large-scale infrastructure to understanding the needs of the customer. ITIL offers a systematic approach to the organizations for IT Service Management. Using this, organizations can strengthen relationships with customers, manage risks, establish practices that are cost-effective and create an IT environment that encourages growth, change, and scalability. Apart from this, it also includes details about dealing with vendors, configuration management, etc. And all of this begins with the ITIL Foundation.
In this article, we will be discussing a few facts about the ITIL Foundation that you might not know:
1. It’s a complete qualification
The first level of the ITIL certificate is the Foundation. It is followed by Practitioner, Intermediate, Expert, and Master. Every single one of these levels is reflecting the competency level as an IT professional. However, ITIL Foundation is a recognized qualification in itself. If you don’t feel like you need them to advance in your career, you don’t have to take any other level. For some professionals, ITIL Foundation is the only ITIL qualification they need.
2. Some jobs have ITIL Foundation as a prerequisite
For a few entry-level ITIL jobs, you might have to gain a certified competence level for demonstrating your skills in the IT environment. The perfect way to do this is through the ITIL Foundation certification. It will enhance your CV and help you stand apart from your counterparts. So, before you apply for a job, check their requirements, and find out what the recruiters consider as an important skill.
3. It can be customized
All the skills and knowledge that you will gain through the ITIL 4 course can be customized and scaled for your organization. So, whether you work for a big corporate or a small start-up, ITIL will work.
4. You don’t have to get membership
For some qualifications like the PMP, you need to buy a membership in order to get the certification. This is not the case with the ITIL Foundation, there is no membership body associated with the ITIL qualifications. This means that you are not required to pay membership fees.
5. You can study online
You are not required to attend a classroom course for taking the ITIL Foundation. The curriculum is built in such a way that it responds well to self-paced online learning.
6. Everyone in IT can go for this certification
ITIL Foundation is a part of the ITIL Courses that are designed to help people working in the IT Service Management sector. Hence, it is also used at a broader level for IT roles like IT project managers. It sets a great foundation for good technical service management because regardless of your role in IT, you must have a solid understanding of the technical services. It is a great way of advancing your skills.
7. The course will be counted for the PDUs
As mentioned above, the ITIL Foundation is for everyone. However, if you have other qualifications and you study the ITIL Foundation course, it will be counted towards the PDUs (Professional Development units). It will be the continuing education schemes for the existing qualifications. For all that you have studied during the course, you will be given 25 PDUs that can be used to maintain the PMP credential. So, not only will you be building your knowledge in a new, valuable area, but also, satisfy the requirements of other professional bodies.
8. The exam is only an hour-long
There are several professional qualifications for which you need to write essay-based questions and sit for a long time. This is not the case for the ITIL Foundation exam. The exam is only 60 minutes long and there are only 40 questions. All the questions are multiple-choice. You are not allowed to take the manuals for the exam. However, if you have completed the required study, the exam will be very manageable.
9. It is the first step
While ITIL Foundation is a separate qualification and stands on its own, it only teaches you the basics of the framework. You will get familiarized with the terminology, key elements, and concepts of the working of an IT service organization. You will also learn about the service lifecycle, what key processes are involved while running a service division, and how they can be fitted together for helping the teams in delivering great services.
However, with just the ITIL Foundation qualification, you won’t know enough to apply the IT service management principles leading to not taking part in the complicated processes. Therefore, taking the next level course is highly recommended. The Foundation level sets the perfect ground for the framework by giving you an overview and making you aware of the key concepts. For some people, this is the only thing required for doing their jobs effectively. But, if you continue to explore service management, you will learn how to lead and effectively implement the processes.
Implementing ITIL certification in Riyadh practices in your organization is an initiative for cultural change. Some might complain about having to do their jobs differently than they did before. What you need is a strong sponsor who can push this change. ITIL is a set of best practices that includes templates and processes, but it is not a methodology. The best you can do is follow the guidelines and develop a detailed process that works for your organization.
