ITIL V3 Foundation Certification Has Been Retired
This certification has been replaced by ITIL with new certification(s).
Certification Details
The ITIL V3 Foundation certification serves as an introduction to the core components, concepts as well as terminology associated with ITIL. Its purpose is to endorse that a candidate is aware of these aspects and understands how to apply the ITIL practices concerning service management. However, these individuals still require to be guided further through higher-level programs and certificates to become seasoned professionals.
Right Candidate for the ITIL v3 Certification
This certificate is developed according to the needs of those aiming to gain a basic comprehension of the ITIL structure and its usage in promoting the IT service management quality in a firm. It’s also applicable to IT specialists who work in a company that has undertaken the adoption of ITIL and has adapted these solutions. Such organizations have requirements for information regarding the existing program for service improvement as well as demand for skilled employees, so certified professionals can fulfill these needs.
Certification Prerequisites and Exam Details
The vendor has not placed any prerequisites for ITIL v3 Foundation candidates, but it is essential for them to seek awareness of the syllabus in more detail. This is because for those with the passion to earn this certification, there is the ITILFND exam to pass. This closed-book test covers 40 MCQs and endures for 1 hour. The least mark needed to obtain the certificate is 65%, which means attaining success in 26/40 questions.
Exam Domains
Candidates with an intention to clear the ITIL V3 Foundation exam need to have comprehension and awareness based on the 9 units that cover varied objectives. The domains of the syllabus and the topics involved are disclosed below.
- Service Management as a Practice
This section expects candidates to understand the core terms such as service and service management. Thus, the specifics include knowledge about best practices within the public sphere, the reasons for the success of ITIL, the internal as well as external customers and stakeholders as a concept. Exam takers also have to learn more about the internal as well as external services and need to know the details of the process model, including the features of processes.
- The Lifecycle of ITIL service
This domain considers a candidate’s comprehension of the value associated with the lifecycle of ITIL, the integration of processes with one another or all through the lifecycle. In addition, applicants should be able to explain the objectives, scope as well as business value dedicated to each phase within the lifecycle. Other matters to look into include the ITIL service lifecycle structure; purpose, scope, and objectives of service strategy; the benefits that service design brings to businesses; service transition and operation; continual service improvement, and others.
- Generic Concepts & Definitions
This unit is to create and validate the candidates’ awareness of core terminology in addition to explaining the basic concepts related to service management. Some issues that the section captures include utility as well as warranty; capabilities, assets, and resources; service portfolio; availability; configuration item; service level agreement; change types; known error database; CSI register; and patterns of business activity, among many others.
- Key Principles in addition to Models
In this part of the exam syllabus, the applicants should have deep knowledge regarding the basic principles as well as models related to service management. They also have to know how to balance part of the countering forces in service management. Thus, this domain explores general issues in the areas like service strategy, service design, and continual improvement of service.
- Selected Processes
Under this module, the ITIL V3 Foundation certificate considers the processes of service management and their contribution to the service lifecycle of ITIL. This is captured by looking at it under topics like service strategy, service design, service transition, service operation, and continual improvement of service, among others. To be ready to tackle associated questions in the test, candidates should pay attention to the concepts like financial management along with the management of service level, service catalog, capacity, and availability, to name a few.
- Selected Functions
The topics under this section help one to comprehend the objectives, role, alongside organizational structures related to the function of the service desk. The candidates should also understand the purpose of operations management, apps management, and technical management functions.
- Selected Roles
In this unit, the applicants need awareness and abilities in accounting for the responsibilities targeted at some service management key roles. These include process owner, process manager, process practitioner, and service owner. In addition, one has to learn more about the RACI model of responsibility.
- Technology as well as Architecture
Within this section, the matters addressed concern the candidate’s understanding of how automation helps in expediting the processes for service management. Most often, in training resources, the concepts covered in this domain are added to another module.
- Competen/ce & Training
This domain of ITIL V3 Foundation devotes itself to developing a candidate’s awareness in the areas of service management, skills framework, training. Both knowledge and practical competence are required here.
Career Prospects, Job Profiles, and Salary
The ITIL V3 Foundation is a valued certificate, so its holder becomes an asset to any company. Its goal is the delivery of business value to the end-users, internal as well as external stakeholders, and customers of an organization. This certification considers the fundamentals of ITIL and thus some of the job profiles associated with it are mostly supportive. However, with more experience on the job, one can work as a help desk technician, IT manager, ITIL problem manager, incident response manager, and the like. Professionals with this accreditation are known as skilled employees who are able to effectively implement ITIL solutions within the organization and administer them properly. In addition, as PayScale.com depicts, companies employing such certified professionals pay them about $98k annually.
Certification Path: Which Way to Go Further?
Since ITIL V3 Foundation does not have an expiry date, the most appropriate way to choose is to take the next step and better your skills through a higher certificate. You can move to the new scheme of ITIL 4 and then proceed to ITIL 4 Managing Professional. Moreover, after some time you can go for Strategic Leader or Master-level certifications.