Program Overview
ITIL® is a set of best practices guidance that has become a worldwide-adopted framework for Information Technology Services Management (ITSM) by many Public & Private Organizations.  Since early 1990, ITIL® has been evolving from focusing on Functions and Processes under versions 1 and 2 to focusing on the Full Service Lifecycle Management under current version.

• In addition to the existing benefits of aligning IT goals and objectives with the business, improving quality and reducing cost of operation; ITSM and ITIL® now emphasizes the following areas:
• Assist in transforming IT Service Management onto a strategic business asset
• Assist in defining and managing the complete lifecycle of IT Service Management Process
• Provide guidance on the development of Services Strategy, the development of Service Design, the Transition of Services from current to desired state, the Implementation and the Continuous improvement of the those Services

Through lectures and practice exam questions participants explore the concepts of good practice in IT Service Management based on the ITIL® Edition 2011Framework.

The ITIL® Intermediate Qualification: Service Strategy Certificate is a free-standing qualification, but is also part of the ITIL® Intermediate Lifecycle stream, and one of the modules that leads to the ITIL® Expert in IT Service Management. The purpose of this training module and the associated exam and certificate is, respectively, to impart, test, and validate the knowledge on industry practices in service management as documented in the ITIL® publication.

Note:
The success in achieving this certification is highly dependent upon participants’ effort in doing their homework, and self-study before and during the program.  Therefore, it is highly recommended that course participants purchase the appropriate TSO publication to complete at a minimum 21 hours of personal study by reviewing the syllabus and the pertinent areas of the ITIL® Service Management Practice core guidance.

Duration
This program is offered over a 3-day period where it combines theoretical and hands-on knowledge transfer, including individual and group practical exercises.  The Minimum number of students per session is 6 where the maximum is 18.

• This three (3) days classroom training course with examination held on the afternoon of the 3rd day is accredited by LCS examinations institute.
• The course includes approximately 21 hours of student-instructor interaction, a sample and a formal examination.
• The format of the examination consists of a closed book paper of 8 multiple choice complex questions, to be answered within 90 minutes. The pass mark is 70% or more – 28 or more correct answers.

Audience
The main target group for this ITIL® Intermediate Qualification Certificate includes, but is not restricted to:

• Chief information officers (CIOs)
• Chief technology officers (CTOs)
• Managers
• Supervisory staff
• Team leaders
• Service designers
• IT architects
• IT planners
• IT consultants
• IT audit managers
• IT security managers
• ITSM trainers involved in the on-going management, co-ordination and integration of strategizing activities within the service lifecycle
• Individuals who require a deeper understanding of the ITIL® service strategy stage of the ITIL® service lifecycle and how activities in it may be implemented to enhance the quality of IT service management within an organization
• IT professionals working in roles associated with strategic planning, execution and control within a service-based business model, seeking an understanding of the concepts, processes, functions and activities involved in service strategy
• Individuals who have attained the ITIL® Foundation Certificate in IT Service Management and wish to advance to higher level ITIL® certifications
• Individuals seeking the ITIL® Expert Certification in IT Service Management for which this  qualification can be one of the prerequisite modules
• Individuals seeking progress toward the ITIL® Master Certificate in IT Service Management for which the ITIL® Expert is a prerequisite.

Prerequisites
Candidates wishing to be trained and examined for this qualification must already hold the ITIL® Foundation Certificate in IT Service Management (the V3 Foundation or V2 Foundation plus Bridge Certificate) which shall be presented as documentary evidence to gain admission.

Additionally, to be eligible for this ITIL® Intermediate qualification, candidates shall fulfill the following requirements:

• At least 21 contact hours (hours of instruction, excluding breaks, with an Accredited Training Organization (ATO) or an accredited e-learning solution) for this syllabus, as part of a formal, approved training course/scheme
• It is recommended that students should complete at least 21 hours of personal study by reviewing the syllabus and the Service Design publication in preparation for the examination
• There is no minimum requirement but a basic IT literacy and around 2 years IT experience are highly desirable

Content and Objectives
Through a series of lectures designed at achieving a clear understanding of the ITIL® Best Practice lifecycle approach and through various exercises, assignments and discussions, participants will gain the necessary knowledge of the following subjects:

• Introduction to service strategy
• Service strategy principles
• Service strategy processes
• Governance
• Organizing for service strategy
• Technology considerations
• Implementing service strategy
• Challenges, critical success factors and risks.

Introduction

• The purpose of Service Strategy
• The relationship of the Service Strategy to other ITIL stages

Service Strategy Principles

• This unit introduces the candidate to the core concepts and practices in Strategy and organization applied to Service Management and IT.
  Fundamental aspects of service strategy
  Basic approach to deciding a strategy
  Strategy and opposing dynamics
  Outperforming competitors
  The four P’s of service strategy
  Services
  Value
  Utility and warranty
  Assets – customer, service and strategic
  Service Providers – types and choosing between them
  Defining services
  Strategies for customer satisfaction
  The Kano model
  Service economics
  Sourcing strategy
  Strategy inputs and outputs with the service lifecycle

Service Strategy Processes

• Strategy management for IT services
  The high level steps of performing a strategic assessment
  Analyze the internal and external environment
  Define market spaces and establish objectives
  Strategy execution
• Service portfolio management
• Financial management for IT services
• Demand management
• Business relationship management

The following will be discussed for each of the Service Strategy processes:

• Purpose and objectives
• Scope
• Value to Business
• Policies, principles and basic concepts
• Process activities, methods and techniques
• Triggers, inputs, outputs and interfaces
• Critical success factors and key performance indicators
• Challenges and risks

Governance

• Setting the strategy for governance
• Evaluate, direct, monitor
• Governance framework
• What is IT governance
• Governance bodies
• How service strategy relates to governance

Organizing for service strategy

• Organizational development
• Organizational departmentalization
• Organizational design
• The role of service owner and business relationship manager
• Strategy, portfolio, financial, and demand roles

Technology Considerations

• Service automation
• Service interfaces

Implementing Service strategy

• Implementation through the lifecycle
• Following a lifecycle approach
• The impact of service strategy on other lifecycle stages

Service Strategy challenges, critical success factors and risks

• Challenges
• Risks
• Critical success factors

Summary, Exam Preparation and Directed Studies
This module summarizes the material covered in the previous modules and prepares candidates for the examination through the review and practice of a mock examination. The Examination is comprised of eight (8) multiple choice, scenario-based, gradient scored questions. The standard duration of the exam is Maximum 90 minutes.

Program Material
This training program includes the following as reference documentation:
Program slide presentation
Syllabus document
ITIL® acronyms and glossary
Sample examination questions and answers

Simulation and practical application
We provide the students with real life experiences; for the purpose of discussion and to show the value of using best practice, we can use the client organization as a “case study” example (when a private course is delivered).

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Service Strategy – SS