Fast track your way to ITIL® 4

Blog Post • Industry Insights, Product Updates • [read_meter]

The ITIL 4 Certification Scheme is a departure from the credit-based ITIL v3 scheme. And whilst ITIL 4 retains many of the core elements of ITIL v3, and much of the existing guidance will be recognizable in parts of ITIL 4, there are no direct like-for-like modules between the two certification schemes. What should a student do if they have completed a number of ITIL v3 programs, what is their best strategy moving forward – continue with v3, or start fresh with ITIL 4? Below is what we at ITpreneurs advise.

When a student has completed 2 or more ITIL Intermediate programs, it may be very relevant for them to continue with ITIL v3 and then transitioning to ITIL 4 using the ITIL Managing Professional Transition Module. The following guide helps you to determine the best approach for your students, based on the traditional route compared to our new Fast Track to ITIL 4.

The ITIL 4 Certification Scheme covers 6 certification programs. ITIL Foundation is the starting point into ITIL 4 and introduces the Service Value System, and key concepts and terminology.

Completing three distinct Specialist Modules, as well as the ITIL Strategist Module will deliver the ITIL Managing Professional Title.

Completing the Strategist Module, as well as the ITIL Leader Module,  delivers the ITIL Strategic Leader Certification.

ITIL Experts looking into ITIL 4 or Professionals with 17 or more credits in the ITIL v3 scheme

There are probably are between 5.000 to 8.000 ITIL Experts active in the world today. These brave professionals navigated through the ITIL v3 scheme to achieve this level or bridged to Expert from V2.

Why would an expert be interested in ITIL 4 and the new ITIL Scheme, as they have such a cool title already, other than a genuine interest in the subject area?  Well, as there is no ITIL Expert title in the new scheme, they could feel that they are stuck with an old and perhaps outdated title. The new titles ‘Managing Professional’ and ‘Strategic Leader’ could be appealing to add to their profile on LinkedIn. If that is the case – here is the path to go to:

Path to ITIL Strategic Leader:

  1. Complete the ITIL Managing Professional Transition Module, to achieve the title ITIL Managing Professional (anticipated to be 5 days)
  2. Complete the ITIL Leader Digital & Strategy Module, to achieve the title ITIL Strategic Leader (anticipated to be 3 days).

Likeliness to happen: Interesting, 5 days to get to Managing professionals is appealing.
Investment in time: 5 or 8 days
Expected benefits: Further elevation to superhero status. No extra salary

ITIL Professionals with up to 10 credits in the ITIL v3 scheme

IT Professionals with up 10 points who are looking at the new ITIL Scheme have the option to start fresh with ITIL 4 or complete a minimum of 2 capability or 3 lifecycle courses and exams plus the ITIL Managing Professional Transition Module.

Fresh Path to ITIL 4 – >  Managing Professional (14 days)

  • Complete ITIL 4 Foundation (2 days)
  • Complete the ITIL Specialist Create, Deliver, and Support (anticipate 3 days)
  • Complete the ITIL Specialist High Velocity IT  (anticipate 3 days)
  • Complete the ITIL Specialist Drive Shareholder Value  (anticipate 3 days)
  • Complete the ITIL Strategist Direct, Plan & Improve  (anticipate 3 days)

Likeliness to happen: Small  – will be very difficult to get sponsorship for 14 days
Investment in time: 14 days
Expected benefits: Completely skilled up for ITIL 4.

Path to  ITIL 4 through ITIL v3 Intermediates and Transition Module (14 or 15 days)

  • Complete 2 Capability programs (10 days), or 3 Lifecycle Programs (9 days).
  • Complete the ITIL Managing Professional Transition Module (5 days)

Likeliness to happen: Not likely, 14 days spent is better at the new fresh ITIL 4 program
Investment in time: 14 or 15  days
Expected benefits: Makes more sense to wait for ITIL 4

Fast Track to  ITIL 4 through ITIL v3 Intermediates and Transition Module (5 days + self-study)

  • Complete the ITpreneurs Fast Track to ITIL 4 program in their own time and at their own pace.
  • Complete the ITIL Managing Professional Transition Module (5 days)

Likeliness to happen: Only spent 5 days in the classroom. The rest students can do in their own time and pace
Investment in time: 5 days  + self-study
Expected benefits: It could make sense to also complete MALC, and then achieve the ITIL Expert level.

ITIL Professionals with 11 – 17 credits in the ITIL v3 scheme

For professionals with more than 10 points, there may be an opportunity to get to the Managing Professional path faster.

Professionals with 11 credits

Path to  ITIL 4 through ITIL v3 Intermediates and Transition Module (11 days)

  • Complete 2 Lifecycle programs (6 days)
  • Complete the ITIL Managing Professional Transition Module, to achieve the title ITIL Managing Professional (anticipated to be 5 days)

Likeliness to happen: Tough – 11 days against 14 days in a new scheme
Investment in time: 11 days
Expected benefits: Might make more sense to wait for ITIL 4, and take a completely new program

Fast Track to  ITIL 4 through ITIL v3 Intermediates and Transition Module (5 days + self-study)

  • Complete the ITpreneurs Fast Track to ITIL 4 program in their own time and at their own pace.
  • Complete the ITIL Managing Professional Transition Module (5 days)

Likeliness to happen: Only spent 5 days in the classroom. The rest learners can do in their own time and pace
Investment in time: 5 days  + self-study
Expected benefits: Could make sense to also complete MALC, and then achieve the ITIL Expert level as well as a bonus

Professionals with 12 credits

Path to  ITIL 4 through ITIL v3 Intermediates and Transition Module (13 days)

  • This is a tough one, as it is not easy to get 5 credits in the scheme, without avoiding a lot of overlap.
  • Most likely the best option here would be to complete 1 more Capability (5 days), and then 1 of the Lifecycle programs SS or CSI (3 days)
  • Complete the ITIL Managing Professional Transition Module, to achieve the title ITIL Managing Professional (anticipated to be 5 days)

Likeliness to happen: Tough – 13 days against 14 days in a new scheme
Investment in time: 13 days
Expected benefits: Might make more sense to wait for ITIL 4, and take a completely new program

Fast Track to  ITIL 4 through ITIL v3 Intermediates and Transition Module (5 days + self-study)

  • Complete the ITpreneurs Fast Track to ITIL 4 program in your own time and at your own pace.
  • Complete the ITIL Managing Professional Transition Module (5 days)

Likeliness to happen: Only spent 5 days in the classroom. The rest learners can do in their own time and pace
Investment in time: 5 days  + self-study
Expected benefits: Self-study is a much more efficient solution here besides classroom learning

Professionals with 13 credits

Path to ITIL 4 through ITIL v3 Intermediates and Transition Module (10 days)

  • Most likely the best option here would be to complete 1 more Capability Module (5 days)
  • Complete the ITIL Managing Professional Transition Module, to achieve the title ITIL Managing Professional (anticipated to be 5 days)

Likeliness to happen: Doable –  10 days of investment
Investment in time: 10 days
Expected benefits: Might make more sense to wait for ITIL 4, and take a completely new program, as that is only 4 days more

Fast Track to  ITIL 4 through ITIL v3 Intermediates and Transition Module (5 days + self-study)

  • As only 1 program is required – the fast track may still be the most effective solution to complete 17 credits.
  • Complete the ITpreneurs Fast Track to ITIL 4 program in your own time and at your own pace.
  • Complete the ITIL Managing Professional Transition Module (5 days)

Likeliness to happen: Only spent 5 days in the classroom. The rest learners can do in their own time and pace
Investment in time: 5 days  + self-study
Expected benefits: Self-study is a much more efficient solution here besides classroom learning

Professionals with 14 credits

Path to ITIL 4 through ITIL v3 Intermediates and Transition Module (8 days)

  • Complete the final Lifecycle Module (3 days)
  • Complete the ITIL Managing Professional Transition Module, to achieve the title ITIL Managing Professional (anticipated to be 5 days)

Likeliness to happen: Reasonable –  8 days investment
Investment in time: 8 days
Expected benefits: Add an additional 5 days to also achieve the ITIL Expert status

Professionals with 15 credits

Path to ITIL 4 through ITIL v3 Intermediates and Transition Module (8 days)

  • Complete 1 Lifecycle program (3 days)
  • Complete the ITIL Managing Professional Transition Module, to achieve the title ITIL Managing Professional (anticipated to be 5 days

Likeliness to happen: Reasonable –  8 days investment
Investment in time: 8 days
Expected benefits: A relatively fast path to ITIL Managing Professional

Professionals with 16 credits

Path to ITIL 4 through ITIL v3 Intermediates and Transition Module (8 days)

  • Complete 1 Lifecycle Module (3 days) or 1 Capability Module (5 days)
  • Complete the ITIL Managing Professional Transition Module, to achieve the title ITIL Managing Professional (anticipated to be 5 days)

Likeliness to happen: Reasonable –  8-10 days investment
Investment in time: 8-10 days
Expected benefits: A relatively fast path to ITIL Managing Professional

What does this mean?

In conclusion – If you are an ITIL Expert, or you have 17 credits, the best option moving forward is to take the ITIL Managing Professional Transition Module, to get to a brand new title. Spend an additional 3 days to become an ITIL Strategic Leader.

If you have less than 14 credits in the scheme your best option is to look at the ITpreneurs ITIL Fast Track to ITIL 4 Program in combination with the ITIL 4 Managing Transition Module.

If you have 14 – 17 credits in the scheme the Fast Track may still be your best option, but if you really like classroom training, that may still be a very valid option for you to move into the ITIL 4 scheme.

About the author

Joey van Kuilenburg
Marketing Manager at ITpreneurs

When I’m not at work, I’m usually … working. Yeah, I’m a workaholic. But in a good way. My passion is creating new and exciting products that do not only function well but are also a pleasure for the eye. I hate ugly and rushed products. I prefer to put in a bit of extra work to make an “ok” product or experience an amazing product or experience.

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