What is ITIL 4?
ITIL 4 is a framework designed to help organizations manage modern IT-enabled services. It provides a holistic approach to service management that focuses on the co-creation of value with customers and other stakeholders. This guide visualizes the core components you need to know for the Foundation certification.
The 7 Guiding Principles
These are the core philosophies of ITIL 4, guiding an organization's decisions and actions.
Focus on Value
Everything the organization does must link back, directly or indirectly, to value for its stakeholders.
Start Where You Are
Don't start from scratch without considering what is already available. Assess and leverage existing resources.
Progress Iteratively with Feedback
Organize work into smaller, manageable sections. Each iteration builds upon the previous, incorporating feedback.
Collaborate & Promote Visibility
Work together across boundaries. Involving the right people at the right time leads to better results.
Think & Work Holistically
No service, practice, or process stands alone. Understand the whole system and how its parts interact.
Keep It Simple & Practical
Use the minimum number of steps to accomplish an objective. Outcome-based thinking produces practical solutions.
Optimize & Automate
Maximize the value of work done by humans and technology. Automate frequent and repetitive tasks.
The Four Dimensions of Service Management
To ensure a holistic approach, ITIL 4 outlines four dimensions that are critical to the effective and efficient facilitation of value for customers and other stakeholders.
The Service Value System (SVS)
The SVS represents how the components and activities of the organization work together as a system to enable value creation.
The Service Value Chain
The central element of the SVS is the Service Value Chain, an operating model which outlines the key activities required to respond to demand and facilitate value realization.
7 Core ITIL Practices
While ITIL 4 includes many practices, the Foundation exam focuses heavily on these seven. The chart below shows a conceptual representation of their relative importance and frequency in typical service management environments.
Ready for the Exam?
Here are the key numbers for the ITIL 4 Foundation certification exam.
Your ITIL Certification Roadmap
ITIL 4 provides a flexible certification path. Start with Foundation and build your expertise by choosing modules aligned with your professional goals.
ITIL 4 Foundation
The entry point. Master the core concepts of the ITIL 4 framework.
ITIL 4 Specialist
- ✔️Create, Deliver & Support (CDS)
- ✔️Drive Stakeholder Value (DSV)
- ✔️High-Velocity IT (HVIT)
- ✔️Acquiring & Managing Products (AMAP)
- ✔️Managing Professional (MP)
Develop deep expertise in a specific area of service management.
ITIL 4 Strategist / Leader
Direct, Plan & Improve (DPI) & Digital & IT Strategy (DITS). For aspiring IT leaders and managers.
ITIL 4 Master
The highest level of certification. Demonstrate a deep, practical understanding of ITIL principles.