Everything in business needs best practices, standards and systems, and IT is no different. This is especially true as IT has become more and more integral to every business.
ITIL is a framework that brings a systematic approach to help businesses achieve stable IT environments, implement time- and cost-effective IT practices, and can best manage risk. In short, ITIL exists to bring IT in alignment with business objectives.
ITIL: A Library and a Framework
ITIL stands for Information Technology Infrastructure Library, and this library contains volumes of best practices for the delivery of IT services. These books (currently there are five) detail the processes and stages of IT services.
The approach was developed in the 1980s by the British government’s Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency (CCTA) as a way to systematize and codify IT practices gathered from a number of global sources.
Today, ITIL is actually owned by an entity known as Axelos, which gives businesses the license to use the ITIL framework. Axelos also manages updates and changes.
ITIL’s Guiding Principles
The framework has seen several iterations as the nature and purpose of IT has evolved over the decades. In the most recent version, known as ITIL 4, nine guiding principles are expressed. These principles show how other elements of the business are interwoven with IT practices, and how important it is that IT represents a culture of collaboration, communication, and customer service across the business. These nine principles also emphasize agility, flexibility and innovation in delivering IT services.
- Focus on value
- Design for experience
- Start where you are
- Work holistically
- Progress iteratively
- Observe directly
- Be transparent
- Collaborate
- Keep it simple
ITIL Certification
IT professionals can undertake the ITIL certification scheme to show that they’re educated in the framework’s best practices. To become certified, they take training and exams to receive the designation of ITIL Managing Professional or ITIL Strategic Leader.
Through the training modules, they learn how to run successful IT projects, teams, and workflows, how to best support and drive value, and how to plan, direct and lead strategic IT initiatives.
Does your business need a managed services provider that adheres to the ITIL framework?
Working with a managed services provider that implements the best practices outlined in the ITIL framework, like AccountabilIT, can save your business money and time.
ITIL covers and seeks to continuously improve the gamut of IT services that you may need at your business, such as cloud services, cybersecurity, data processing and storage, service desk, and so on.
Here are a few of the benefits that can come out of partnering with an IT support provider that uses the best management practices instilled by ITIL:
- Better integration of business strategy and IT
- Greater alignment of technology with business objectives
- Increased control of IT investment and budget
- Improved service delivery
- Reduction in system outages
- Better incident management
- Greater monitoring, measurement, and optimization of IT services
- Improved customer service
What’s Next
Knowing that your IT services provider is committed to continual service improvement and follows industry standard best practices matters. Connect with us to learn more about our qualifications and dedication to ultimate customer service.
