It is now two years since the OGC launched ITIL (R) version 3; its best practice guidance for IT Service Management. Since the launch, the administrators of the examination scheme (APMG) have been busy getting the new qualifications scheme, leading to the ITIL Expert qualification, into shape.
However, perhaps this new qualification scheme could - before it has really got going properly - already be due for a review according to the most recent figures for ITIL training. They show a high number of candidates taking version 3 foundation level training, but a very low take-up for the subsequent capabilities and lifecycle training courses.
Perhaps the reason for this situation is the sheer number of courses needed to be taken to qualify as an ITIL Expert. Delegates now need to complete six or seven separate courses to qualify; which translates into between twenty-two to twenty-seven days of training. By contrast, the older V2 scheme leading to the Service Manager certificate only took thirteen days to complete.
The new qualification schema is a three-level affair with a fourth level also scheduled. Of course, this new range of courses may be good for training providers, but the key question is: is it right for the market? The absence of a significant number of bums-on-seats seems to me to suggest that it absolutely is not.
In addition, whilst the V2 Service Manager certificate is live, it remains a much more attractive route to the new top-level V3 qualification for many people since it only requires eighteen days to complete from scratch; and just fifteen if you already hold a V2 Foundation certificate. This boils down to less days out of the office, lower cost and fewer exams to pass.
Although the new scheme is still in its infancy, APMG really need to begin addressing the issues early. This means closing-down the old V2 scheme as a matter of priority if they are really committed to getting version 3 rolling.
However, perhaps this new qualification scheme could - before it has really got going properly - already be due for a review according to the most recent figures for ITIL training. They show a high number of candidates taking version 3 foundation level training, but a very low take-up for the subsequent capabilities and lifecycle training courses.
Perhaps the reason for this situation is the sheer number of courses needed to be taken to qualify as an ITIL Expert. Delegates now need to complete six or seven separate courses to qualify; which translates into between twenty-two to twenty-seven days of training. By contrast, the older V2 scheme leading to the Service Manager certificate only took thirteen days to complete.
The new qualification schema is a three-level affair with a fourth level also scheduled. Of course, this new range of courses may be good for training providers, but the key question is: is it right for the market? The absence of a significant number of bums-on-seats seems to me to suggest that it absolutely is not.
In addition, whilst the V2 Service Manager certificate is live, it remains a much more attractive route to the new top-level V3 qualification for many people since it only requires eighteen days to complete from scratch; and just fifteen if you already hold a V2 Foundation certificate. This boils down to less days out of the office, lower cost and fewer exams to pass.
Although the new scheme is still in its infancy, APMG really need to begin addressing the issues early. This means closing-down the old V2 scheme as a matter of priority if they are really committed to getting version 3 rolling.
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