About ITIL® 4 Extension Module

In November last year, Axelos announce on the release of ITIL Extension Modules certification apart from the two main streams of the framework- ITIL Managing Professional (MP) and Strategic Leader. The extension modules are:

• ITIL Specialist Sustainability in Digital & IT
• ITIL Specialist Acquiring & Managing Cloud Services

Below is the updated diagram of the latest ITIL 4 certification scheme:

Figure 1: Axelos ITSM Certifications

The Managing Professional designation equipped you with the essential skills to operate successful IT-enabled products and services while the Strategic Leader designation drive in established and aspiring IT leaders to navigate the complexities of the digital era and get ready for digital transformation. On the other hand, ITIL 4 Extension Modules guide you with the skills that you need for future challenges.

Ever since digital transformation became the main focus for most organisations in recent years, most companies also realised the future challenges that are possible hitting in no time while we are still busy keeping pace with digitalised the current business model. Therefore, as an extension module of the ITIL 4 Framework, addressing future challenges became part of the crucial key insights for leaders and practitioners to take charge.

These changes happened are mainly for organisations to be prepared to cater for a much bigger volume of incoming demands in future which would also be the future direction of most organisations by how they would be operating later. Digital transformation is driven by technologies that include Clouds, Artificial Intelligent, the Internet of Things, Big Data, Automation as well as with the innovative way of working such as Agile, DevOps and Lean.

ITIL which is known as the IT Best Practice Framework defined ITSM as the implementation and management of quality IT Services that meet the needs of the business. IT Providers perform ITSM through people, processes and information technology. Over the years, ITIL has evolved beyond delivering services from end-to-end value. The ITIL 4 is now looking into the co-creation of value through service relationships.

Here is a brief overview of the two new extension modules:

1. ITIL Specialist Sustainability in Digital & IT

 This module helps address sustainability challenges in relation to digital and IT strategies, tactics, and operations. The said module will guide on:

• How to use the ITIL guiding principles to deliver value by creating sustainable digitally enabled products and services.
• Address VUCA challenges effectively through sustainable strategies, procurement, products and practices.
• Gain a practical grounding in the key principles of sustainability
• How to conduct a full cost benefit analysis identifying potential risks and opportunities using best practice guidance.

There is no prerequisite required to take up this module. Any practitioners who are keen to learn about the key concept of sustainability may take up this module.

Below is the overview of the course outline:

Module 1: Course Introduction

1. Course Overview
2. Course Structure
3. Course Agenda
4. Course Components
5. Assessment Details

Module 2: Key Concepts Of Sustainability

1. Sustainability – An Introduction
2. Sustainable Development
3. Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility
4. Digital Technology, IT Services, and Sustainability

Module 3: What Is Vision?

1. Role and Structure of the Sustainability Vision
2. Defining the Sustainability Vision
3. Role of Sustainable Development Goals
4. Sustainability Models, Issues, and Concepts
5. Digital Sustainability
6. Materiality Assessment
7. Stakeholders Engagement and Commitment

Module 4: Where Are We Now?

1. Materiality Assessment
2. Sustainability Risk Assessment
3. Due Diligence
4. Stakeholder Analysis and Mapping
5. External Assessment
6. Internal Assessment
7. SWOT Analysis
8. Audits and Reports

Module 5: Where Do We Want To Be?

1. Defining Sustainability Objectives
2. Selecting and Prioritizing Sustainability Objectives
3. Justifying the Sustainability Objectives

Module 6: How Do We Get There?

1. Strategies for Sustainability
2. Embedding sustainability into the SVS
3. Planning Recommendations

Module 7: Take Action

1. Taking Sustainable Action
2. Sustainability In VUCA Environments
3. Ongoing Activities While Pursuing Sustainability Goals

Module 8: Did We Get There?

1. Sustainability Measurement
2. Sustainability Reporting

Module 9: How Do We Keep The Momentum Going?

1. Continuous Orientation
2. Governance and Audit
3. Communication
4. Collaboration
5. Innovation
6. Staying up to Date

2. ITIL Specialist: Acquiring & Managing Cloud Services

Extension from the main ITIL 4 framework, this module provides organisations with the direction to address and tackle the challenges and opportunities presented by emerging technologies that impact business operations. This module explores the procurement, implementation and ongoing evaluation of cloud services and technologies to ensure they provide value. The certification is designed for anyone who required vendor-neutral, user-centric guidance on developing a practical understanding of how do cloud procurement and technology can integrate and support broader business strategy and functions.

This module will provide the following guidance:

• Utilise the vendor-neutral approach to analyse the available solutions and potential benefits.
• Identify, select and deliver optimised cloud services effectively.
• Simplify Value co-creation through successful cloud services procurement and integration whilst applying the ITIL 4 Framework.
• Adopt customer focused end-to-end cloud procurement user journey.

There are no formal prerequisites to attend for this module. The relevant key concept from the best practice framework will be covered as part of the module and it is accessible to everyone who is interested to gain critical skills in this area.

The topics that are covered in this module outlined as follows:

Module 1: Course Introduction

1. Course Overview
2. Course Learning Objectives
3. ITIL® 4 Certification Scheme
4. Course Structure
5. Cloud Customer Journey
6. Course Components

Module 2: Key Concepts Of Cloud

1. Introduction to Cloud
2. Types of Cloud Solution
3. Governance and Shared Responsibility
4. The Cloud Consumer Journey

Module 3: Explore: Can The Organization Benefit From Cloud?

1. Cloud’s Role in Strategy
2. Cloud Strategies
3. Setting the Strategic Scope
4. Cloud Strategic Positioning
5. Value: Outcomes, Costs, and Risks
6. Formulating the Initial Cloud Strategy

Module 4: Engage: Meeting A Cloud Service Provider

1. Understanding the CSP Landscape
2. Types of Services to be Considered
3. Defining Requirements for Cloud Services
4. Request for Information and Proof of Concept
5. Conducting a Cloud Readiness Assessment
6. Engaging with Cloud Service Providers
7. Reviewing the Cloud Strategy and Cloud Service Requirements

Module 5: Offer: Selecting The Right Services And Service Provider

1. Minimum Return on Investment (ROI)
2. Communicating Requirements
3. Request for Proposal
4. Reviewing Proposals
5. ROI of Proposed Cloud Services
6. Business Case for Cloud Services

Module 6: Agree: Negotiating And Planning

1. Agreeing and Planning Value Co-creation
2. Negotiating and Agreeing to a Cloud Service
3. Cloud Service Agreements
4. Shared Responsibility Model
5. Roles and Responsibilities Map
6. Charging Models

Module 7: Onboard (And Offboard): Moving To The Cloud

1. General Considerations for Onboarding
2. Migrating to Cloud as a Part of an Onboarding Initiative
3. Security and Compliance Considerations

Module 8: Co-Create: Enabling Value

1. Operating Model Alignment
2. Value Co-creation Map for Cloud
3. Value Co-creation Drivers in Practice
4. Managing the Optimization of Cloud Service Consumption
5. Managing Cloud Service Quality
6. Using Cloud Tools for Value Co-creation

Module 9: Realize: Measuring and Improving

1. Maintaining Operating Model Alignment
2. VUCA and the Value Co-creation Map
3. Continual Improvement and the Value Co-creation Map for Cloud

ITIL training courses are run in a variety of formats by accredited training organizations. To learn more about ITIL 4 frameworks, feel free to reach us at info@cybiant.com or subscribe to Cybiant Newsletter.