In this post, we will talk about ITIL, CompTIA, COBIT, VeriSM and IT4IT certifications; about what knowledge they provide and for which direction ITSM is most suitable.
ITIL
ITIL (IT Infrastructure Library) is a library of best practices for IT service management. The latest version of the library was released in 2019. ITIL certification is one of the most common cross-platform ITSM certifications. According to the rules of Axelos , creator of ITIL, conduct training and issue certificates may only accredited Axelos organization. There are several such companies in Russia, for example Cleverics and IT Expert.
ITIL certifications are recognized worldwide. They will be useful to specialists, regardless of what software is used in the process. The certification scheme itself implies a modular approach. You can choose from different options (levels) of certification. Each of them is designed for a specific area of IT service management and is designed for a specific position of an IT specialist. In any case, it is better to choose training taking into account real professional interests.
There are four certification levels in the ITIL 4 scheme: Foundation (fundamentals), ITIL 4 Managing Professional (professional manager), ITIL 4 Strategic Leader (strategic leader), Master (master). Let's analyze each of them.
Foundation
Foundation certification is required for basic familiarity with ITIL. It is suitable for everyone involved in the service management process: analysts, project managers, department heads, and engineers.
ITIL 4 Managing Professional
The knowledge, tools and techniques that the certificate holder masters help to successfully build the work of the IT department, support teams and service processes. The training covers the core activities of service management and focuses on all types of interactions between a service provider (or IT department) and its customers, users, suppliers and partners.
The certification covers a wide area of expertise. You will get acquainted with the best practices of IT service delivery, with the theory of IT service management and popular methodologies such as Agile, master the tools for automating and improving service processes and more.
ITIL 4 Strategic Leader
The certificate is issued to those who have confirmed their understanding of the relationship between IT and all business processes of the company. ITIL 4 Strategic Leader is designed for current and emerging IT leaders.
With the certificate, you gain knowledge on how to manage IT teams using different strategies depending on the type of team; you know how to align the business and IT strategies of the company; understand how new technologies can affect organizations from different industries.
Master
The certification confirms that you are able to apply the principles, methods and methodologies of ITIL in real work. This certificate is like a graduation project: in order to receive it, you need to have practical cases of the implementation of ITIL principles, with clear, measurable results. The Master level certification is suitable for experienced IT service management professionals.
CompTIA
CompTIA is an American non-profit trade association that teaches various IT disciplines and issues professional certifications. CompTIA certifications are globally recognized and set industry standards. Among the Russian organizations accredited by CompTIA, there is a training center "Specialist" at the Moscow State Technical University. N.E.Bauman and Softline.
CompTIA certification is geared more towards engineers, administrators, and other technical professionals, including technical support professionals. Here are a couple of examples.
CompTIA A +
CompTIA A + certification is the industry standard for those new to IT careers. The certification confirms that the candidate is familiar with the main IT areas and can work in them. These include, for example, information security, cloud services, data management.
A CompTIA A + holder is able to handle various types of IT equipment and their components, network protocols; able to troubleshoot PC and mobile devices, install various operating systems and work with the command line.
CompTIA Network +
This type of certification is for those looking to pursue a career in IT infrastructure with a focus on networking. CompTIA Network + certification ensures that a candidate can build stable networks using the right devices, standards, protocols and security settings.
The certificate, among other things, confirms knowledge of the best practices in network design and management; knowledge of various network topologies and the ability to implement them; proficiency in techniques and tools for troubleshooting network problems, ensuring a stable connection and performance.
COBIT Foundation Certification
COBIT is another common IT management methodology. It stands for Control Objectives for Information and Related Technologies - "Control Objectives for Information and Related Technologies." COBIT is developed by the non-profit organization ISACA . The organization offers five types of COBIT certification, including the basic COBIT Foundation.
In Russia, COBIT Foundation certification is carried out by Megapolis Profi and IT Expert. The COBIT Foundation ensures that the IT professional is familiar with the organization's management tools and technologies. The certificate also validates knowledge of the five core COBIT principles:
- meeting the needs of stakeholders;
- full coverage of the organization's processes;
- application of a single integrated structure;
- providing a holistic approach;
- differentiation of control and management.
The holder of the certificate understands the benefits of COBIT (as an IT governance foundation), is familiar with the framework's key attributes, and is able to develop his own COBIT-based IT governance system.
VeriSM
VeriSM is a relatively new approach to service management developed by the International Foundation for Digital Competence (IFDC) and introduced in 2017. VeriSM helps create a flexible service management model that theoretically suits any company. The model can be adapted to specific types of business, types of products and customers (consumers). For this, VeriSM uses a combination of the best practices of ITSM, Agile, DevOps, Scrum, Business Management, etc.
VeriSM certification includes four levels: Foundation, Essential, Plus, Professional. In Russia, the certification is carried out by Softline. Let's talk a little about Foundation and Professional certificates.
VeriSM Foundation
VeriSM Basic Certification focuses on values, organizational goals and results. The VeriSM Foundation is suitable for professionals who are just getting started with service management and for professionals who would like to look at ITSM from a new angle.
You will learn to overcome the challenges of team silos, assess the impact of digital transformation on service management, know when to apply Agile, DevOps, and Lean as management practices, and understand the benefits of cloud, virtualization, automation, and advanced technologies such as serverless computing. IoT, RPA.
VeriSM Professional
The holder of a certificate can manage a product or service at all stages of its production, from prototyping to responding to customer feedback. He knows how to create and apply a Management Mesh that uses resources, the environment, new technologies and the necessary management methods.
The main areas that you master in the framework of VeriSM Professional are the digital world, digital leadership and structure, management and strategies, the use of VeriSM.
IT4IT
The IT4IT Reference Architecture Standard was developed in 2015 by The Open Group, an industry consortium . The main tasks on which IT4IT focuses are the definition, provision, consumption and management of IT services. According to the authors of the standard, IT4IT complements and strengthens such methodologies and approaches as ITIL, CMMI, COBIT, Agile, TOGAF, ISO standards.
IT4IT offers practical solutions to the problems of IT departments and companies, including the correct organization of the life cycle of IT products and the value chain. The IT4IT Reference Model helps you create a holistic view of problem areas and work with them.
The certification covers the basic concepts, structure and key concepts of the IT4IT Reference Architecture Standard. You will also take an in-depth look at the four value streams:
- Strategy to Portfolio ("From strategy to portfolio" of products, services, etc.).
- Requirement to Deploy ("From requirements to deployment").
- Request to Fulfill.
- Detect to Correct ("From detection to correction").
Russian companies that carry out IT4IT certification include Interface and Softline.
Conclusion
If you are involved in IT service management, it is important for you to know the principles of ITIL, COBIT, Agile and other methodologies. They help to build service processes and the work of IT service specialists, taking into account the requirements and strategic objectives of the business. ITSM certification is not a formality. This is a set of knowledge and skills that will come in handy at work.