It is not “ITIL version 4″, they are calling it “ITIL 2011″. It is the ITIL v3 of 2007, only cleaner, more readable, and better organized – at least that’s what they say. I have not personally read the new books yet. Have naturally read all the 2007 v3 books. And I can personally attest to the poorly written and often error prone content. If the ITIL books truly reflect the clean up they claim, it is certainly welcomed. For an international standard, you expect good quality control and at the minimum – a decent technical writer/editor.
If anyone has viewed the new editions of the ITIL books, I would love your impressions and comments. I shall post my personal comments once I have also read thru them.

Apologies for not posting on the ITIL Crowd blog for some time. Promise to update more. Been crazy busy, primarily as a Service Knowledge Manager for a large client, in their Change and Release Management (Service Transition) program.
Have been conducting more ITIL training and workshops and often comments for more information or resources arise. Would like to assist more than those in my sessions by sharing and collecting information via this blog.
I am conducting an ITIL Foundation class the weekend of July 23 and 24 in Orange County south of Los Angeles [ http://laITIL.eventbrite.com to join us]. Shall post more prior to that class, as well as some after.
See you around soon!

Online Ticketing for Bay Area ITIL v3 Foundations 2 Day Classroom Training (San Francisco/San Jose/Oakland)

Apologies for not making a post in a very long time. Took a new job a very large software company. Less time to post my musings about obtaining and instructing on ITIL topics. Although, I can definitively state that my obtainment of all the ITIL V3 certifications did assist in me landing this job!
I work in a capacity that taps into my ITIL certifications (the organization has many of the ITIL frameworks in place or built into the culture) and my PMP (the internal tool that my team builds and supports is structured around Project Management best practices as well). Does not hurt in the interviewing process when you hold all the certifications – and sometimes more – as those that are interviewing you. It provides instant recognition of the basic knowledge and understanding one must hold. Allows the conversations to move onto more important job related topics.
My new rôle does involve a lot of training and instruction – my primary career path and tutelage.
I still, from time to time, offer as a lending hand to others ITIL Foundations classroom learning sessions. Only on weekends though – unless some group convinces me differently My next session is in Orange County, California in September. If you wish to join us, the full info is at http://ocitilfoundation.eventbrite.com/
I promise to try and post more often. Good luck on your ITIL travels!

Time for my closeup. Putting on makeup and teaching my course. All in front of a camera.
A little odd. But it gets easier. Although, my jokes fall even flatter when there is no one there to laugh at them.
I will let you know when the sessions are completed and posted.
Until then, enjoy the World Cup!

If you have not checked out GoGogh.com yet, then you should give a look.

Unlimited web based IT training for under $400.  Heck, I spent over $2800 for one project management class.  Then found that GoGogh’s $400 rate gives me that project management class AND any other one I want to take.

When you are not worried about additional costs, I took advantage of the freedom to explore other topics and material.  I would never take a C# or Oracle training class, but when it is included for Free, doesn’t hurt my curiosity to take a look around – and yes, still not too interested in those topics.

I did find some topics that I was very interested in.  Take Six Sigma for one.  Not too technical; yet very worthwhile and with diverse applications.  And while I was on it I thought, why not learn about Software Quality Assurance?  So I did.  And it still did not cost me anything extra!

Granted, the downside of not paying per usage, there is a little less ‘buy-in’ from you as the learner – shall we say.  It was easier for me to jump around the topics and take on another topic when it got too far over my head or I just lost interest.  Not issue for the topics that did interest me.  More an issue with my motivation.  But at least I can go back anytime I want.

Having the options of study has been really powerful in my quest for new employment.  On top of obtaining my ITIL V3 certifications, I know that in today’s workforce, having a diverse set of skills is important.  Even if I don’t know them fully, having basic comprehension is key. Especially in the interview.  Speaking the terms.  Knowing the terms when they are spoken to you.  Priceless.  A few GoGogh lessons gave me a quick brush up on SharePoint and Six Sigma.  Paving the way for a smooth interview.

In any case, explore GoGogh.com for what is worth.  They do have an option for taking just one class.  That is $195.  Still dirt cheap.  But why not go with unlimited for $395?  As their catalog expands,  I am certain their prices will to.  Catch the wave as it is just taking off and you could save yourself a bundle.

Happy Learning!

The ground level of the ITIL v3 certification schema is the Foundation.  Using the construction metaphor, it lays the base for everything else to build upon.  It has to cover the bottom of everything that is to be built upon it.  ITIL v3 Foundation is about breadth, not depth.

Ergo, obtaining ITIL v3 Foundation certification is all about knowing a little about a lot.

ITIL (IT Service Management) is a broad concept with far reaching implications.  Trying to master all its points and nuisances is difficult and ever expanding.  Not a weekend’s task.  Like any good management principle, there are always new things to learn, new ways to interpret, different ways to implement to differing situations, and of course, learning by doing.

Foundations is not expecting, nor should it, full and complete comprehension.  A holder of ITIL V3 Foundation certification should not be expected to implement, consult, or direct ITIL initiatives.  This holder does have an appreciation of the concepts and comprehends the same lexicon all ITIL users speak – regardless of location in the world.  To accomplish this level of understanding, an ITIL V3 Foundations seeker must gain enough knowledge of the universal terms and enough conceptualization of the basics principles, purposes, and processes of ITIL.  Something I feel can be accomplished in a weekend.

Heavy concentration on memorization and associations, with more holistic view of the interconnectedness of the ITIL processes and functions is suitable to claim the Foundations certificate.  A person with this level of knowledge and comprehension can contribute in an excellent support and operational perspective of ITIL – whether one process or a full out rollout.

The ITIL Crowd is offering a weekend preparation course for ITIL Foundations is the Los Angeles area.  We want to help more people the opportunity to learn the ways of ITIL and how it is useful in an IT Service organization.  We do not offer the exam.  But we can show you what you need to know.  Registration and more info at: http://itilla.eventbrite.com/

See you for a weekend?

A question that always emerges is “Does ITIL v3 certification get me a job?”

That question is a familiar one for any certification.  My PMP questions ask the same question.  I am sure it is on the minds and tongues of all certification seekers.  Well, the simple answer is, “What else do you have to offer?”

Ok, I answered a question with a question.  But, if I asked you, “Does getting a University degree get me a job?”  Certainly depends.  Depends on who you know, what industry, where you apply, what skills you possess, and numerous other factors.  It can certainly open doors.

I had a student who took my ITIL class.  Passed the Foundation exam.  Got an interview with Hotwire that week.  Was hired the week after.  Can the ITIL certification take credit for the landing of the job – doubt it.  That would be a stretch.  Although, it may have opened the door.  May have been the piece to squeeze her resume thru the pipeline and into the shortlist.  From there, it was up to her.

One thing we can be certain: holding the certification proves she posses some understanding of the IT Service Management principles.  That comprehension of the basic terms, concepts, and purpose of ITIL is the general goal of the Foundation exam.  By passing that exam, it is verification that she meant at least those minimum standards.

Gaining certifications help prove you have the skills and knowledge base that particular certification exam is seeking to verify.  Not much differ than a university degree does.  If anything, it provides evidence that you are motivated to prove your competency in a standardized format.  Gaining certification requires seekers to go out on a limb.  They must prove that they have learned the skills; and more importantly – learned them in the research backed, correct way.

Certifications are not easy.  Although, on a resume, they are a quick check mark to show with certainty you have skills and/or knowledge.  Bullet points on a resume can be manipulated and reflect so many perspectives.  Certifications at the bare minimum give some standardized recognition.

So to answer your question, “Yes – to a point.”  Get a certification to back up your claims.  Then fulfill them.

The ITIL Crowd has many projects going on concurrently – beyond this beloved blog.  Beyond instructionally designing ITIL, PMP, BA, and general management or general interest courses, we are facilitating marketing plans.  One major piece is of course developing a website that fits our personality.

The site is not complete.  It is not yet live on own domain.  Nonetheless, we are excited to show off what we have accomplished thus far.  Any feedback you have is greatly appreciated.  Have a wonderful weekend!

Link to the temporary FLASH based site: http://www.wix.com/theITILcrowd/theITILcrowd

Reading a new book by William Poundstone titled “Priceless” It is really a great read.  That is if you are interested in the psychology of pricing and spending.

This has made me ponder the true value of ITIL v3 and PMP certification classes, as well as the other general training courses I conduct.  I have conducted these certification courses in person (CBT), online instructor led sessions, and pre-recorded self-paced online courses.  Each time the price is/was different.  Same instructor.  Often times the same material.  Maybe a different delivery method.  Maybe a different location.  But same general content.  Yet different prices.

I have seen the full spectrum of training costs.  Some astronomical.  Reaching many thousands for a day or two.  There are PMP, PRINCE2, and ITIL classes out there selling for $3,500 for 4 days without batting an eyelash.  It must sell.  They hold the classes and don’t offer much in the form of discounts.  At least when I tried.

Then I have seen training classes for as little as $350.  That’s one less zero!  Pretty big jump.

Makes me wonder, is the $3,500 class 10x better than the cheap session?  I am certain there are levels of quality, organization, and intangibles between the offerings.  Ten times?!  Maybe not that drastic.

The format and presentation of the material is a definite distinguisher.  Alas, I have seen student course material from a $2,600 course that was nothing more than a binder with screenshots of the presenter’s powerpoint and a bunch of lines underneath.  And the Powerpoint were nothing more than bullet points!  Obviously – at least to me and others with instructional design educations – this was an ‘expert’ telling you whenever s/he knows and what is already covered in the books.  Sure, they add personal ‘war stories’, but is that worth extra $1,000?  It’s rhetorical; don’t answer that.  Just amazed that this form of “instruction” is so prevalent – especially in IT.

With so many options out there, it can definitely be overwhelming for those seeking a good training option.  Prices and options and offerings run the gamut.  The services revolve around the same general objective – to get you to pass a certification exam or learn something new.  Telling which one is better. Or which one best fits your needs.  Or most importantly, knowing the ‘value’ equals the ‘price’.  Not an easy task.

Judging by the decrease in many course offers over the recent years, the inflated prices at the top of the spectrum are becoming more reasonable.  Although, the ‘cheap’ options may be too cheap to successfully run a training operation.  Then again, it might be right-pricing the whole PMP, Prince2, ITIL, etc playground.

What I plan to try out for the ITIL Crowd is maybe opening the door for people to name their own price.  Making it a price that more closely matches the true value.  I will start this only for corporate clients for the moment. Got a budget or price in mind – run it past me: neal@theitilcrowd.com.  Name your price. You never know, the price may be right.