If you only want to know what ITIL® is all about without reading a doctoral thesis, then this article is for you. It is a simplified, buzzword-free, explanation of the main components of ITIL. Firstly, what is the acronym? ITIL stands for the Information Technology Infrastructure Library.
In keeping with the spirit of simplicity, we will define IITL as “an integrated set of best business practices and processes designed to deliver IT services to business”. The primary focus of ITIL is to maximise value for the business by aligning IT resources with business needs.” At the core of ITIL, is the core idea that value is provided in the form of business-aligned IT Services.
Where does ITIL come from
A question that our customers often ask us is ” Where does ITIL come from?” Well, it is was published in 1989 by Her Majesty’s Stationery Office (HMSO) in the UK for the Central Communications and Telecommunications Agency (CCTA). The goal was to standardise and document a set of operating practices for IT operations. To achieve this goal, a wide variety of public and private sector IT experts were engaged in assembling a collective set of best practices.
What is ITIL
ITIL is a set of approaches and best practices. It is a model for IT service delivery. It does contain some processes and templates, but it is not a methodology and does not contain all the required implementation details. An organisation can implement ITIL by following the overall guidelines and then develop more detailed processes in line with their culture and business requirements.
Why is ITIL Required?
ITIL assists the business to deliver an efficient and effective service to their customers, hence gaining their customer’s confidence and satisfaction. Some of the most notable areas where ITIL assists business are as follows:
- Strategic planning for both business and IT.
- Integrating and aligning IT and business goals
- Implementing continuous improvement
- Acquiring and retaining the right resources and skillsets
- Reducing costs and the Total Cost of Ownership
- Demonstrating the business value to IT
- Achieving and demonstrating Value for Money and Return on Investment.
- Measuring IT organisation effectiveness and efficiency
- Developing business and IT partnerships and relationships
- Improving project delivery success
- Managing regular business and IT change
Major Components of ITIL
ITIL is published in five volumes, each of which covers an IT Service Management Stage. The five books are:
- ITIL Service Strategy
A view of ITIL that aligns business and IT so that each brings out the best in the other. It ensures that every element of the Service Lifecycle is focused on customer outcomes and relates to all the companion process elements that follow.
- ITIL Service Design
To meet the current and future business requirements, Service Design provides guidance on the design of IT services, processes, and other aspects of the service management effort.
- ITIL Service Transition
Consists of the delivery of services required by a business, and often encompasses the “project” side of IT. It covers the broader, long-term change management and release and deployment practices.
- ITIL Service Operations
Best practice for achieving the delivery of agreed levels of services both to end-users and the customers
- ITIL Continual Service
Align and realign IT services to changing business needs by identifying and implementing improvements to the IT services that support the business processes
A final word
So, What is ITIL? Well, ITIL is a set of approaches and best practices. It is a model for IT service delivery. It does contain some processes and templates, but it is not a methodology and does not contain all the required implementation details. ITIL can be implemented in stages according to the business requirements of the organisation.
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Author: Ryan Danvers