When Was ITIL V4 Released?
ITIL V4 was officially released on February 28, 2019. It marked a significant update and evolution of the ITIL framework. The previous version, ITIL V3, had been in use for over a decade, and the release of ITIL V4 aimed to address the changing landscape of IT service management and better align ITIL with modern practices and methodologies.
Key features and updates in ITIL V4 include:
- Service Value System (SVS): ITIL V4 introduces the Service Value System, a holistic approach to IT service management. The SVS represents the combination of different components, activities, and processes that create value for the service provider and the customer.
- Four Dimensions of Service Management: ITIL V4 emphasizes that IT service management is influenced by four dimensions - Organizations and People, Information and Technology, Partners and Suppliers, and Value Streams and Processes. These dimensions help organizations consider various perspectives when designing and delivering services.
- Service Value Chain: ITIL V4 introduces the Service Value Chain, which represents a series of interconnected activities that contribute to creating value. The Service Value Chain includes several core activities such as planning, Improving, Engaging, designing & Transition, Obtaining & Build, and Delivering & Support.
- Service Value Streams: In ITIL V4, Service Value Streams are introduced to provide a visual representation of how different activities in the Service Value Chain work together to deliver value. A Service Value Stream is a specific combination of activities and practices contributing to a particular outcome.
- Guiding Principles: ITIL V4 outlines seven Guiding Principles that organizations can follow to make decisions and guide their actions in IT service management. These principles promote an agile and customer-centric approach to service delivery.
- Practices, Not Processes: ITIL V4 shifts the focus from a strict process-driven approach to a more flexible and adaptable practice-based system. ITIL V4 defines 34 management practices, each guiding specific activities and competencies related to service management.
- Continual Improvement Model: The Continual Improvement Model in ITIL V4 emphasizes the need for organizations to constantly evaluate and improve their services and practices to meet changing business requirements and customer needs.
ITIL V4 reflects the evolution of IT service management practices in response to technological advancements, increased customer expectations, and adoption of agile and DevOps methodologies in IT organizations. The updated framework aims to be more inclusive, flexible, and relevant for organizations across different industries and sectors.
With the release of ITIL V4, ITIL Foundation certifications were also updated to align with the new content and concepts introduced in the framework. As with previous versions of ITIL, ITIL V4 certifications continue to be widely recognized and sought after by IT professionals and organizations seeking to improve their IT service management capabilities.
