Learned some good stuff today at the Atlanta ITSMF LIG meeting in regards to the positioning of ITIL and the new ISO 20000 standard.
Here’s a simple way to think about it and help reinforce the differences in what each one actually is.
ITIL
- “Documented common sense” (best practices)
- Recommendations – ‘should’ do this or that
- IT decision
- People are certified, not business, company or technology
ISO 20000 (formerly BT 15000)
- Demonstratable and auditable best practices
- Requirements – ‘shall’, ‘must’ do this or that
- BUSINESS decision
- Organizations are certified or accredited as in compliance
Remember, nothing gets ITIL certified but people who take training and pass the tests from an accredited organization (IESB, EXIN). I heard numerous references today to “our product/company/methodology is ITIL certified”. It’s simply not true. For more information, see the OGC ITIL FAQ.
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