Certification for ITIL® version 2 and ITIL® version 3The Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL®) is a collection of best practices in the field of IT Service Management. The first version of ITIL® from the nineteen eighties was followed up in 2001 by version 2, and version 3 was introduced at the end of May 2007.
The new ITIL literature now comprises only five volumes: Service Strategy, Service Design, Service Transition, Service Operation and Continual Service Improvement. The five volumes represent the different stages of the service lifecycle.
In these new ITIL® books the connection between IT and business occupies centre stage. The focus lies on the continuous improvement of the services and getting the Service Lifecycle in order.
Difference ITIL® version 2 and version 3The introduction of ITIL® version 3 does not mean that ITIL® version 2 will be immediately discarded. On the contrary. In practice, most organizations are now very busy training and certifying employees and designing the business processes in accordance with version 2. Version 2 focuses especially on the description and management of processes, which is a major requirement at most IT organizations at this point in time. Version 3 on the other hand focuses on the results you can attain if you have sorted out the processes (the services). Only a few organizations have reached that phase of maturity.
In the long term, more and more people will switch to or start with ITIL® version 3 and then also use it in the organization. Version 3 focuses on the Lifecycle Principle and not on the individual processes. The continuous improvement of the services occupies centre stage, and this is exactly what all companies ultimately want to achieve with the efficient design of the processes.
Read more about EXIN and the ITIL Refresh (pdf).Or learn more about the available ITIL V3 exams.Discontinuation ITIL® V2The introduction of ITIL® V3 exams has led to the question about a possible stop date for ITIL® V2. EXIN has received a considerable amount of requests from our customers asking for an extension of the ITIL® V2 lifespan. The ITIL Qualification Board is now considering the discontinuation of ITIL® V2. EXIN has a seat on the ITIL Qualification Board, so that EXIN can be involved in and keep abreast of the development of the ITIL® examinations. We are therefore able to partially influence the decisions made, and it is important to us that we are able to represent your interests in the Board. Consequently, EXIN did a survey at the end of 2008 to get a view on the market’s opinion about a possible sunset date for ITIL® V2 certification. Almost half of the respondents said that they would like for ITIL® V2 to remain coexisting with ITIL® V3 in the long term. The full report titled Future of ITIL® V2 can be downloaded here (pdf). Please note that it will take at least half a year after announcing the official discontinue date to actually withdraw the ITIL® V2 exams. It is expected that the decision will lead to the withdrawal of only the ITIL® V2 exams in those languages for which there is a replacing V3 exam available.
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