ITIL Version 3 Bridging Courses Explained

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By: Steve Twine

Fast Track to IT Success

ITIL is the most widely used IT Service Management training course. It pulls together the “best practice” methods from public and private sectors across the world. ITIL is pivotal in ensuring both efficient service delivery and in meeting IT Governance objectives.

Contents

1. ITIL Version 3 - What’s New?
2. ITIL Qualification Structure
3. ITIL Foundation Bridge
4. ITIL Manager’s Bridge
5. ITIL Practitioner Bridge

1. ITIL Version 3 - What Makes it Different?
The latest version of ITIL builds on its existing well established approaches but interprets them in the context of service lifecycle. It recognises the shift that has occurred over the last few years as IT and IS operations have become integral to all modern organisations, rather than existing as a bolt on function.
Many people familiar with the earlier edition of ITIL have come to think of it in the context of a number of key processes and for the most part, these remain important within the new structure. They are described in detail in the five Version 3 manuals in their new form:
• Service strategy as the central driver
• Emphasis on service rather than process
• Dynamic service portfolio
• Integration (not just alignment) of IT with the rest of the organisation
• The cycle of ‘Continuous Service Improvement’

2. The ITIL Qualification Structure
There are four levels within the new ITIL scheme comprising:

• Foundation
• Intermediate (Service Lifecycle and Service Capability)
• ITIL Expert
• Advanced Service Management Professional

The new ITIL qualifications scheme recognises the value of existing v2 qualifications and introduces a system that gives credits for both ITIL v2 and v3 courses.

To achieve the ITIL Expert qualification, candidates must achieve at least 22 credits, two of which can be gained at Foundation level. (Full details of the new ITIL Qualification structure can be obtained from the www.focusprojects.co.uk/itsm website.)

For holders of existing ITIL certifications there are Bridging Courses which offer training on the new aspects of ITIL. These courses are the main subject of this paper.

3. ITIL Foundation Bridge

The ITIL Foundation Bridge course is for anyone who holds an earlier version ITIL Foundation certificate and who wants to obtain v3 certification.

Obtaining the V3 Foundation via this route (or by taking the full Foundation exam again) is mandatory for those seeking the new Intermediate and ITIL Expert qualifications. It is not necessary for those eligible to Bridge via the Practitioner or Manager Bridge routes (see below).

The ITIL foundation course provides an intensive overview of the new and modified topics in ITIL v3. Firstly, the Service Lifestyle is introduced, followed by the contribution of ITIL Service Management processes to each of the 5 key elements.

The course assumes a level of knowledge of the basic ITIL concepts and processes. If this is not the case then a 3 day ITIL Foundation course will cover those topics.

The exam is a 20 question, closed book multiple choice paper which takes 30 minutes to complete. The pass mark is 65% and successful candidates are awarded 0.5 credits under the ITIL qualification scheme bringing their foundation credits to 2.0 (1.5 credits are given for the v1 or v2 certificate).

4. ITIL Manager’s Bridge

The ITIL Manager’s Bridge is for those who hold an earlier version ITIL Manager’s certificate and who wish to pursue the v3 ITIL Expert certificate.

The ITIL Manager’s Bridge course provides an intensive overview of the new and modified topics in ITIL V3. The new elements are explored under the following categories:

• Service Management as a Practice
• The Service Lifecycle
• Generic Concepts and Definitions
• Key principles and Models
• Processes
• Functions
• Roles and Organisation
• Technology and Architecture
• Implementation Considerations
• Complementary Industry Guidance (other frameworks)

The course lasts between 4 and 5 days with the exam taken on the final day. The exam itself comprises a 20 question closed book, scenario based, complex multiple choice paper. It takes 90 minutes and the pass mark is 80%.

It isn’t necessary to upgrade your Foundation certificate before following this route. Successful candidates achieve ITIL Expert certification without the need for further study under the Version 3 scheme.

5. ITIL Practitioner Bridge

If you already have substantial certification under the ITIL Practitioner certificate level there is a third bridging route. The pre-requisite is that you hold a minimum of 12 credits from Version 1 or 2 certificates in non duplicated areas (3.5 credits for ‘clustered’ practitioner certificates and 2 credits for ‘single’ practitioner certificates).

Candidates following this route first complete the Manager’s Bridge course through an accredited training provider then undertake the new ‘Managing through the Lifecycle’ course.

Information about the Author:

Focus on Training is an active member of the IT Service Management Forum which plays a central role in updating and disseminating the ITIL framework through its international network of 6,000 organisations and 70,000 IT professionals. Focus specialises in provision of Best Practice training within the Project Management and IT Service Management sectors. A comprehensive range of ITIL, ISO/IEC20000 and related courses from leading accredited training organisations can be booked at www.focusprojects.co.uk/itsm

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