ITIL V3 vs. ITIL V4

Attribute	ITIL V3	ITIL V4
Focus	Service Lifecycle	Service Value System
Processes	26 processes	34 practices
Guiding Principles	9 principles	7 principles
Service Management Practices	5 core publications	34 practices
Service Value Chain	No	Yes

Introduction

ITIL, or Information Technology Infrastructure Library, is a set of best practices for IT service management. ITIL V3, released in 2007, was the third version of the framework, while ITIL V4, released in 2019, is the latest version. Both versions have their own set of attributes and improvements, which we will explore in this article.

Scope and Focus

One of the key differences between ITIL V3 and ITIL V4 is the scope and focus of the frameworks. ITIL V3 had a more process-oriented approach, with a focus on the service lifecycle stages - service strategy, service design, service transition, service operation, and continual service improvement. In contrast, ITIL V4 has a more holistic approach, incorporating the entire service value system, including the service value chain, guiding principles, and practices.

Service Value System

In ITIL V3, the service lifecycle stages were the central focus of the framework, with each stage having its own set of processes and functions. However, in ITIL V4, the service value system is at the core of the framework. The service value system includes the service value chain, which outlines the key activities required to deliver value to customers, as well as the guiding principles and practices that support the delivery of services.

Guiding Principles

Another significant difference between ITIL V3 and ITIL V4 is the introduction of guiding principles in the latest version. ITIL V4 defines seven guiding principles that guide an organization in adopting and adapting the framework to meet its specific needs. These guiding principles include focusing on value, starting where you are, progressing iteratively with feedback, and collaborating and promoting visibility.

Practices

ITIL V3 had a set of processes and functions that organizations could adopt to improve their IT service management practices. In ITIL V4, these processes and functions have been redefined as practices. The practices in ITIL V4 are more flexible and scalable, allowing organizations to tailor them to their specific needs and circumstances. Some of the key practices in ITIL V4 include incident management, problem management, change control, and service desk.

Service Value Chain

One of the new concepts introduced in ITIL V4 is the service value chain. The service value chain outlines the key activities required to deliver value to customers, from demand to value realization. The service value chain consists of six key activities - plan, improve, engage, design and transition, obtain/build, and deliver and support. Each activity in the service value chain contributes to the overall value delivery process.

Certification Scheme

ITIL V3 had a certification scheme that included five levels - Foundation, Practitioner, Intermediate, Expert, and Master. In ITIL V4, the certification scheme has been simplified to four levels - Foundation, Specialist, Strategist, and Leader. The Foundation level provides an introduction to the key concepts and terminology of ITIL, while the higher levels focus on specific areas of IT service management.

Conclusion

In conclusion, ITIL V3 and ITIL V4 are both valuable frameworks for IT service management, each with its own set of attributes and improvements. While ITIL V3 had a more process-oriented approach, ITIL V4 has a more holistic approach, incorporating the entire service value system. The introduction of guiding principles and the redefinition of processes as practices in ITIL V4 make it a more flexible and scalable framework for organizations to adopt and adapt. Overall, both versions of ITIL have their strengths and weaknesses, and organizations should choose the one that best aligns with their goals and objectives.