ITIL^® -- "The rest of the [Life Cycle] story..."
The Information Technology Infrastructure Library and Service Management

1. What is ITIL?
2. Can you be Certified ITIL-Complaint?
3. Where do I find support?
4. How do I integrate ITIL with other models to cover the Systems Engineering Life Cycle?

Overview:

The Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL), is a framework of best practices for the support and delivery of IT services, originally developed by the British government through their Central Computer & Telecommunications Agency (CCTA). The set of guide books was then maintained by the UK Office of Government Commerce (OGC).

^® ITIL, is a registered trademark of the UK Office of Government Commerce (OGC).

• The Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL), is
  • A "Body of Knowledge (BoK) or best practice
  • A defacto standard for Service Management [although SEI is working on a CMMI for Services]
  • Supported by a number of British and ISO Standards, which have evolved to align with ITIL

ITIL Audits, Accreditation, Certifications, and Lies:

or "Can you be Certified ITIL-Complaint?"

• Individuals
  • An individual can be certified in various levels of ITIL concepts.
  • See ITIL-related Certifications
• Organizations
  • Can not accurately claim to be "ITIL Certified"
    • ITIL is a collection of "best practices" and therefore not a standard
    • OGC is the owner of ITIL, and does not at this time offer any test, certificate, or registrar of ITIL compliance, conformance, alignment, or compatibility
  • Can not unambiguously claim to be "ITIL compliant"
    • Even if "self-proclaimed" as compliant to ITIL...
    • Frequently, organizations are only referring to SD and SS
  • However...
    • A number of British Standards and ISO standards have evolved, motivated by ITIL
    • Therefore, organizations using ITIL as a benchmark and a guide to process improvement
      • May also choose to use the standards related to, and supporting, service management and security
      • May also choose to be audited against particular standards
      • Then they could claim to be "Certified" or "Compliant" to one or more of these standards (see ITIL-related Standards)
• Organizations/Individuals can seek to be Accredited to teach ITIL-related topics, to administer testing
  • BCS/ISEB runs the examination board
  • EXIN is an independent IT examination provider, who also accredits ITIL trainers and administers certifications