ITIL Certification – Overview And Career Correlation

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ITIL certification i.e. the IT Infrastructure Library Certification is a governance framework for managing the service sector. The term is IT service management and the module relies upon the fact that currently while development of projects is underway, project maintenance demands in IT are escalating. Focus is shifting towards reducing the costs by reworking on the existing structures.

And of course, even if there are new developments, the same need to be eventually maintained. ITIL thus is a standard of governance, which focuses upon establishing economical operational norms and thus continual performance improvement. Multi layers are promoted to overlook and control all activities.

Background

ITIL was first conceptualized by CCTA (Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency). It was then just a code. The code proved pretty handy when it came to maintaining work quality standards and at the same time managing costs. This was especially relevant because in eighties a lot of projects failed to measure up to the desired quality standards. Thus the Office of Government Commerce, under supervision of British Government labeled this code as ITIL. First set was documented in 30 books and was introduced in 1989. Since then version V2 (2000) and V3 (2007) have been launched. Though V3 is latest but V2 is undeniably most popular and as per industry experts, considered more useful.

Accreditation & Examination

Information Systems Examinations Board (ISEB) accredits and thus prepares aspirants for the foundation ITIL certification. Functions of ISEB are overlooked by British Computer Society (BCS). EXIN, an independent Dutch society also conducts ITIL examinations. They conduct independent tests and provide certificates.

Career Connection and Worth

As a professional in the IT field, there must be too many promotional mails landing in your inbox, suggesting you to take up one of the various certification courses. Few demand a few hours of your time and a little money, while others are more expensive and demanding. Credibility and usability of such certifications also varies. Under such circumstances, ITIL certification might just seem another of the lot. Now investing in such a course makes sense only if it can give the desired boost to the career and is in budget.

Well let’s first understand the certification structure. There are four levels viz., Foundation Level, Intermediate Level, Expert Certification and Master Qualification. Foundation certification is considered must useful when it comes to maintenance projects. As earlier discussed, maintenance projects are coming up in volumes and thus study of a practice standard or ITIL certification is pertinent. However the course involves a direct and indirect fee.

Direct component is level monetary fee, while indirect component is the time course demands. At first instance, these could seem high, but there are ways to reduce. One you can convince your employer that ITIL certification will really help boost the operability and thus manage the funding part. As for time commitment, course can be learned online. Besides once you are ITIL certified, a pay hike is likely and better job opportunities shall open up, thus covering up for the cost incurred in obtaining ITIL certification.

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