Silicon Beach Training Blog » ITIL

2011 ITIL V3 Updates Explained

Andy Trainer — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 13:36:19 +0000

In May 2007, the ITIL® management framework was comprehensively updated from V2 to V3 – with V2 fully withdrawn in 2010.

However, ITIL is continually refreshed and updated to make sure that it meets industry requirements, and a the latest new edition is being released on 29 July 2011.

This latest edition of ITIL incorporates improvements and suggested changes to the framework.

If you want to test your knowledge of ITIL – why not try our interactive ITIL quiz. You can also check out our full range or ITIL courses here.

What’s New in the ITIL 2011 Update?

The first thing to be clear on is that ITIL 2011 is an update, not a new version (like V2-V3). The updates to the publications are designed to:

Resolve any errors or inconsistencies in the text and diagrams, both in content and presentation.
Improve the publications by addressing issues which are largely to do with clarity, consistency, correctness and completeness.
Address suggestions for change made by the training community to make ITIL easier to teach.
Review the Service Strategy publication to ensure that the concepts are explained in the clearest, most concise and accessible way possible. There is no notion of simplifying the concepts; rather, improving the exposition of the ideas.

The updated publications will be easier to read and understand, having addressed errors and inconsistencies, and issues raised in the Change Control Log and by the training community.

The project’s primary objective was to respond to users’ feedback and requirements, and provides them with an improved product.

What are the main changes in ITIL 2011?

Below we have summarised the key changes to each core volume.

Service Strategy

Concepts clarified, no change to the overall message, more practical guidance and examples. New process of Strategy management for IT Services covers developing and maintaining business and IT Strategies.

Service Design

Concepts and principles clarified, added the Design Coordination process and quite a bit of work to simplify the five aspects of Service Design, design of the service portfolio and service catalogue.

Service Transition

CMS and SKMS have been re-structured to clarify the concepts and some material added on how to use a change proposal. Also SACM has new content relating to asset management, release and deployment and Change evaluation.

Service Operation

Work done on all processes and the relationship between application management and application development has been clarified. Expanded section on problem analysis techniques and more material added on managing physical facilities.

Continual Service Improvement

Work done to clarify the seven step improvement process and it’s connection to Deming’s PDCA. The CSI model is now referred to as the CSI approach and the CSI register concept has been added. Quite a bit of work on defining relationships from CSI to other phases of the lifecycle.

If you already hold existing ITIL V3 certifications then you will not need to become re-certified and they will remain relevant.

Silicon Beach will be updating ITIL training materials to reflect the changes from August 2011.

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What is Agile Project Management?

Alistair Wylie — Wed, 11 May 2011 09:16:50 +0000

Silicon Beach Training now offers the increasingly popular range of Agile Project Management training courses – but what is Agile Project Management, and why is it such a big deal all of a sudden?

In March 2011 the government unveiled it’s new ICT Strategy which identified a number of problems (or challenges using their words!) with the method in which IT projects and programmes were managed and delivered, causing them to fail. The first of these challenges being:

“projects tend to be too big, leading to greater risk and complexity, and limiting the range of suppliers who can compete”

Silicon Beach Training now offer accredited Agile Project Management training, including the Agile Project Management Foundation course and Agile Project Management Practitioner course.

For example, if a project to implement a large IT system is deemed to take 5 years to complete, it is very likely that, in those five years circumstances (e.g. technology, customer and business requirements, even governments!) will have changed, rendering the final solution based on the original specification unfit for purpose.

A number of strategies were identified to address these challenges, one of which is “by the application of lean and agile methodologies that will reduce waste, be more responsive to changing requirements and reduce the risk of project failure”.

Agile methodologies have been used in software development for some years, but are now being applied in project management as they offer a flexible process that can change according to customer or organisational needs.

How does Agile Project Management differ from traditional project management methodologies?

Traditionally a project manager may direct the project team using a ‘command and control’ style, actively directing their team towards the work that must be completed. Agile project management uses a different technique. At the beginning of an Agile project a high level plan will be created by the project manager, which is based around basic requirements and a high level vision of the solution. From there on the final project is created iteratively and incrementally, with each increment building on the previous increments. Agile Project management also differs in the way that team members create the plans for each increment, rather than the project manager themselves.

Close collaboration between the business or customer and the project team allows the team to understand the details of potentially changing requirements and create and validate an evolving solution accordingly.

Which agile method is Agile Project Management based on?

Agile Project Management is based on the longest-established Agile method, DSDM Atern (Dynamic Systems Development Method), which is the only Agile methodology to focus on the management of Agile projects. The Agile Project Management qualifications take the project management elements of DSDM Atern and make them available as Agile Project Management – a certified approach in its own right.

What benefits will I get by using Agile Project Management?

Using Agile Project Management allows projects to respond to changing requirements and ensure that the solutions meet business or customer requirements
Agile Project Management can be used in conjunction with other corporate processes such as PRINCE2 and ITIL. The DSDM Atern agile method was developed to work alongside PRINCE2
Agile Project Management certification offers a recognised qualification that will benefit both the individual in career development and organisations in recognising staff development

What Agile Project Management certifications are available?

Silicon Beach Training offers both the Foundation and Practitioner Agile Project Management training courses and certification.

The Foundation Exam is a one hour multiple-choice paper composed of 60 questions which assesses a delegate’s knowledge of Agile Project Management. The pass mark is 50%, or 30 correct answers. This is taken at the end of the Agile Project Management Foundation course.

The Practitioner Exam is a two hour Objective Test – a complex multiple-choice exam that tests a delegate’s ability to apply the concepts of Agile Project Management to the running and managing of projects. 15 marks are available from each of the four questions. Delegates must achieve 50% to pass (30 marks). This is taken at the end of the Agile Project Management Practitioner training course.

The Agile Project Management training and certifications are accredited by APMG.

To discuss your requirements for Agile Project Management training and certification please call us on 01273 622272.

ITIL Training Course Range Expanded

Alistair Wylie — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 09:28:29 +0000

With the withdrawal of the ITIL v2 qualifications we have expanded our range of ITIL training to include the ITIL v3 Intermediate courses.

If you have completed your ITIL v3 Foundation certificate and wish to take your knowledge of ITIL further there are several routes you can take with the ITIL v3 Intermediate courses to ITIL Expert and Master qualifications.

The modular approach to the V3 Intermediate certifications allow you to choose a flexible certification path, focusing on the different disciplines of ITIL that best suit your requirements. The diagram below illustrates the different modules available:

The ITIL v3 Service Lifecycle training courses offer a broad, management level focus of ITIL Practice areas:

The ITIL v3 Service Capability training courses offer more specialised, process level knowledge of ITIL practices:

It is recommended that the courses you take offer a balanced knowledge across the ITIL v3 Service Lifecycle and once you have achieved a minimum of 17 credits from the Service Lifecycle or Service Capability modules you can take the ITIL v3 Managing Across the Lifecycle (MALC) training course. This is a capstone course that covers the skills and knowledge needed to implement and manage the ITIL v3 Service Lifecycle.

ITIL Managing Across the Lifecycle (MALC)

Once you have completed the relevant ITIL v3 Intermediate courses you can apply for ITIL Expert certification. The following diagram illustrates the recommended, balanced routes you can take through the ITIL v3 Intermediate modules to ITIL Expert level:

If you would like to discuss any of these ITIL v3 Intermediate courses please give us a call.

Discount on ITIL Training in November

Alistair Wylie — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 09:01:42 +0000

If you need ITIL Training in Brighton, Sussex, and Certification, don’t miss out on our latest ITIL discount in November.

You can now book a place on our ITIL Foundation Training course on 15-17 November for just £695 + vat (normally £795) here at our training centre in Brighton.

The fees include all pre-course reading, materials, ITIL Foundation training, examination and certification – and our pass rates are among the best in the country.

We expect the course to fill up fast as usual so if you’d like to book call us as soon as possible on 01273 622272, or e-mail alistair@siliconbeachtraining.co.uk

What is ITIL?

Andy Trainer — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 09:23:05 +0000

Silicon Beach Training is an Accredited Training Organsiation for the provision of ITIL Training.

Regular ITIL Foundation training courses run here at our central Brighton training centre, and we also provide regular ITIL V2 – V3 Managers Bridge training courses in London

A summary of ITIL is provided below:

ITIL provides a framework for the implementation of IT Service Management, it is based on best practice from both the public and private sectors and is designed in such a way that it is flexible and adaptable.

ITIL stands for the IT Infrastructure Library, the library is made up of a number of books which were born out of the recognition that organisations today are almost entirely dependant on their IT Services. The books provide guidance on the provision and ongoing support of quality IT Services, ensuring a suitable environment to support those IT Services, whilst also focusing on the need for continual improvement in an ever changing IT and Organisational environment.

The ITIL approach is market and customer focused and encourages formal processes and metrics to assist in understanding “how we are doing” and where improvements can be made.

For further information about ITIL, or to arrange a booking for an ITIL training course, please call us on 01273 622272 or e-mail info@siliconbeachtraining.co.uk

ITIL V2 to be fully withdrawn in 2010

Alistair Wylie — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 11:11:04 +0000

The ITIL Service Management methodology has now been in place since 2007, and is well established as the industry standard qualification framework for IT Service Management.

The Office of Government Commerce (OGC) who are responsible for ITIL recently conducted a survey, and found that less than 8% of the 1300 responses they received felt that there was a need for the old ITIL V2 qualification framework to be continued beyond the next 2 years.

They have therefore taken the decision to withdraw all ITIL V2 qualifications and publications by the end of 2010, being completely replaced by ITIL V3.

Silicon Beach Training provide regular public ITIL Training courses in Brighton.

The ITIL V2 withdrawal will occur in stages, and the timetable for withdrawal is as follows:

ITIL V2 Foundation to cease 30 June 2010

ITIL V2 Manager to cease 31 August 2010

ITIL V2 Practitioner to cease 31 Dec 2010

ITIL Foundation Bridge to cease 31 Dec 2010
(All of the above will be available for re-sits until 30 June 2011)

ITIL Manager Bridge to cease 30 June 2011

ITIL V2 Service Support and Service Delivery publications will be removed on 30 June 2011. Though in the later period these may only be available as ‘print on demand’ or in electronic formats.

Continued availability of all other ITIL version 2 publications will be considered on a case by case basis as they come up for reprint, with all being removed no later than 30 June 2011.

For more information about the ITIL qualification framework or to book training, please call 01273 622272 or e-mail info@siliconbeachtraining.co.uk

ITIL V3 Foundation in November – Reduced Rate

Alistair Wylie — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 13:02:09 +0000

Need to get ITIL V3 certified? Now’s the time to book with Silicon Beach Training as we’re offering places for just £645 + vat (normally £745) on our next ITIL Foundation course on 11-13 November here at our training centre in Brighton.

This great rate includes all course material and the ITIL V3 Foundation exam.

We expect the ITIL training courses in Brighton, Sussex, to fill up fast at this rate, so if you’re interested in booking call us as soon as possible on 01273 622272, or e-mail me at alistair@siliconbeachtraining.co.uk