ITIL 4 is coming! What does that mean?

ITIL is used by millions of IT professionals worldwide to deliver high-quality IT services that are valuable to users. In the first quarter of 2019, the new version ITIL 4 will be launched. This represents an important step in the further development of the framework. In this article we give you the first information about ITIL 4. In follow-up articles we will explain a different aspect and we will keep you informed of the latest developments. ITIL-Blog-number-1-dict To start with: with ITIL 4, the knowledge you have previously acquired is not suddenly obsolete. The new version builds on the current ITIL 2011 and is the next step in the evolution of ITIL. Many topics from the current publications will once again be included in ITIL 4. Investments in accumulated knowledge remain valuable. However, an upgrade is now necessary. The place IT occupies in our daily lives, in companies and institutions is changing drastically. We are talking about the “fourth industrial revolution”. Many business processes not only use IT services, but those IT services increasingly form the core of business activities. Changes happen at breakneck speed. Fully autonomously operating systems, ''the Internet of Things'', artificial intelligence and self-driving cars. These are examples within sectors with which you can already recognize the major changes. ITIL 4 should help keep up with the pace of these changes. Flexibility is a key word here. ITIL was never intended as a blueprint. You do not apply it from the book, but you will have to make choices yourself what is appropriate and important in your situation. ITIL uses the term “adopt and adapt” for this. It is, as it were, a full toolbox in which you will find many useful tools. Thanks to the clear descriptions, you also know what those tools can be used for. ITIL provides a common language that can be understood by all involved. This will also remain the case in the new version, where ITIL will offer more practical guidelines to support organizations with the necessary changes in IT services and there is no doubt that these changes are necessary. ITIL 4 will be introduced in the course of 2019. In the first quarter, the new ITIL Foundation basic course will be on the change calendar. D-ICT Solutions will of course include the new training in the course offer. In the second half of the year, the new follow-up modules will follow according to a new certification scheme. The credits earned so far can be used to smoothly enter this new schedule and create a seamless transition. In some situations it is recommended to continue studying in the current version before making the switch to ITIL 4. You will find more information about this in a subsequent article. So keep an eye on our website! The author of this article Marc Kok is an expert in IT Service Management, Business Information Management, Application Management, Test Management and Project Management and is available both as a certified trainer and consultant.