Upskilling to ITIL 4 Managing Professional and Strategic Leader levels

The world is experiencing a continuous evolution, and so many things are happening these days. For example, cloud technologies, higher demand for AI in industries, quantum computing, agile development, etc., are causing a strain on all IT professionals. Professionals today need to be more adaptive to technological changes to help meet business and customers' demands accordingly.  

ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library) has long been recognized as a leading framework for IT service management, helping IT professionals stay up-to-date with the latest industry standards and practices. With the introduction of ITIL 4, professionals can now pursue certifications at the Managing Professional and Strategic Leader levels to enhance their skills and advance their careers. This article explores the benefits of upskilling to these levels. It provides insights into the way to ITIL certification, including the cost and specific focus on the Create, Deliver, and Support (CDS) module. 

Significance of ITIL Certification 

ITIL is a globally recognized framework that provides best practices for IT service management. Gaining ITIL credentials validates professionals' understanding of ITIL concepts, processes, and methodologies, thus making them highly sought-after in the industry. By achieving ITIL certifications, individuals demonstrate their ability to align IT best services with business goals, enhance service quality, and drive continuous improvement within their organizations. 

ITIL 4 Managing Professional and Strategic Leader level 

ITIL 4 Managing Professional and Strategic Leader levels are the next levels of ITIL4 courses and are organized around themes like ‘Create, Drive, and Support’ and ‘Direct, Plan, and Improve.' These advanced-level courses prepare individuals for today's and tomorrow's known and unknown challenges. The courses allow the learners to design and create according to the needs of their individual organizations by embracing the most strategic approaches.  

ITIL4's higher-level modules facilitate professionals to see the bigger picture to help them resonate more with specific roles. The courses are designed in a way that allows them to gain skills to look at the pain points of their organizations and provide them with the knowledge needed to overcome them.  

Therefore, attaining higher-level ITIL 4 certifications not only enhances your professional capabilities but also positions you as a valuable asset capable of propelling your organization to new heights. 

ITIL 4 Managing Professional Level 

The ITIL 4 Managing Professional level is designed for professionals seeking to specialize in practical and technical aspects of IT service management. To achieve this designation, candidates need to complete the following: 

• ITIL4 Foundation: This level provides a comprehensive understanding of ITIL concepts, principles, and terminology. 
• ITIL4 Specialist: (Create, Deliver, and Support): ITIL4 CDS Certification primarily focuses on integrating activities involved in creating, delivering, and supporting IT products and services.  

ITIL4 Strategic Leader Level 

This level is aimed at professionals who want to focus on ITIL practices within the overall business strategy. To attain this credential, individuals need to complete the following: 

• ITIL 4 Leader (Digital and IT Strategy): This module focuses on the use of digital and IT strategies to drive business success. 
• ITIL 4 Strategist (Direct, Plan, and Improve): ITIL4 Create, deliver and Support module provides insights into the alignment of IT service management with business strategy, governance, risk management, and continual improvement. 

ITIL 4 CDS Certification 

The Create, Deliver, and Support module is crucial to the ITIL 4 Managing Professional certification. It emphasizes the practical application of ITIL concepts to effectively create, deliver, and support IT products and services. By obtaining the ITIL 4 CDS certification, professionals demonstrate their competence in areas such as service design, service transition, service management tools, and service optimization. 

ITIL Certification Cost in India 

The cost of ITIL certification in India varies depending on various factors. These factors play a significant role in determining the prices set by training institutes. Below are some key factors that influence the cost: 

• The cost of ITIL certification varies on the level you choose. For example, ITIL Foundation is more affordable compared to higher-level certifications. 
• Different training institutes offer ITIL certification at varying prices. The cost also depends on the institute’s reputation, quality of the training material, expertise, and additional resources provided.  
• The format of the training program also impacts the overall cost. For example, Knowlathon offers in-person training sessions, online self-paced training programs, etc. The chosen learning format significantly influence 
• s the overall cost of ITIL certification. 
• ITIL certification costs also depend on the additional resources and supplementary study material provided by the training institutes. For example, Knowlathon delivers a variety of study material, along with practice question papers and real-scenario project cases.  

However, the ITIL 4 Foundation level certification cost generally ranges from INR 10,000 to INR 20,000. For the Managing Professional and Strategic Leader levels, you have to pay from INR 30,000 to INR 50,000 per module. It is critical to research and compare different training providers to find the one that offers high-quality training at a reasonable cost. 

Conclusion 

Upskilling to the ITIL 4 Managing Professional and Strategic Leader levels can significantly enhance your professional knowledge and expertise in the field of IT service management. These certifications provide you the skills to align IT services with business objectives, drive digital and IT strategies, and deliver exceptional value to organizations, thus opening new career opportunities and helping you land a higher salary grade.