ITIL V3 vs ITIL V4: What's The Difference

The ITIL® framework, or Information Technology Infrastructure Library, is one of the most popular frameworks in IT service management. ITIL® creators must keep ITIL® current with modern technologies since IT is a domain that remains in constant flux. In response to this, Axelos Ltd recently released the new version of ITIL called ITIL V4. The article on ITIL V3 vs ITIL V4 discusses the major changes to ITIL® V4, highlighting the key difference between ITIL V3 and ITIL V4, the latest versions of the ITIL methodology.

An overview of ITILV3 

In order to provide ITSM (IT service management), ITIL provides a framework of best practices and processes. As a framework for ITSM, ITIL was first published in the 1980s and has since become one of the most widely adopted frameworks. By providing effective service delivery and cost-effectiveness, the framework strives to improve customer satisfaction.

As business requirements have changed over the years, several versions of ITIL have been released to meet these new requirements. It was released in 2007 and referred to as ITIL V3. A new version of ITIL V3 became available in 2011 due to this update, which is why ITIL V3 is also known as ITIL 2011 V3. Modern business environment requires a more strategic approach to IT service management, and this ITIL V3 covers that to ensure IT service management aligns with business requirements. No wonder, enterprises want their IT workforce to take ITIL foundation training online and upskill while being productive.

An overview of ITILV4

Information Technology Infrastructure Library 4 is the latest evolution of ITIL. With its launch in 2019, it reshapes established ITIL practices through an integrated view across customer experience, value streams, and digital transformation. It also embraces Lean, Agile, and DevOps approaches. Modern and emerging practices are integrated with established and proven know-how, ensuring continuity with existing working methods (where appropriate) and providing guidance about the benefits of adopting these new approaches with less disruption.

By elevating the profile of service management in an organization, ITIL 4 provides a holistic approach that emphasizes value delivery, while providing an integrated, flexible, and coordinated framework for effective governance and management of IT-enabled services. There is no question that ITIL 4 is one of the industry-recognized IT service management certification courses that provides a structured approach to developing IT service management skills.  

ITIL® V3 Framework 

The Information Technology Infrastructure Library, or ITIL V3, is the third version of this management framework, which represents best practices for managing information technology. In this framework, IT plays a leading role in helping businesses achieve their goals. In 2007, ITIL V3 was released as an IT service management framework considered to be among the best. An outstanding aspect of ITIL is that it is constantly evolving to accommodate the demands of today's business environment. As ITIL evolves to adapt to the latest trends and practices like DevOps and Lean, a new framework has been developed called ITIL 4, which brings the ITIL process in line with customer or organization requirements.

ITIL® V4 Framework 

In addition to improving strategic elements that provide better alignment of IT service management with business requirements, ITIL v4 is an upgraded version of the ITIL V3 framework. With the release of ITIL v4, an end-to-end operating model for creating, delivering, and continuously improving technology-enabled products and services was created that helps build an effective ITSM process.

The new service management challenges are also addressed through guidance provided by ITIL V4. In an era of Cloud, Agile, DevOps, and transformation, it is of great help to utilize modern technology to its full potential. ITIL Service Value System (SVS) and the four-dimension model are the foundation of this framework. ITIL SVS comprises the following components:

1. Service Value Chain (SVC)
2. ITIL Practices
3. ITIL Guiding Principles
4. Governance
5. Continual Improvement

ITIL V3 Process vs ITIL V4 Practices 

Let us get started with ITIL V3 vs V4 differences in their practices.  It is important to understand that processes in ITIL V3 are sequences of activities that have been converted into practices. Practices link to something that can be accomplished using the right resources. In ITIL V3 processes, you will find a description of the flow of activities, along with metrics and suggestions for roles. An organization is able to perform its ITIL V4 practices through its capabilities, on the other hand.

ITIL V3 Process vs ITIL V4 Practices

In ITIL V4, there are 34 practices, replacing 26 of those in ITIL V3. Check out this ITIL V4 vs V3 comparison table.

ITIL V3 Service Lifecycle vs ITIL V4 Service Value System

Service lifecycles in ITIL V3 consist of five phases based on waterfall models. There are five stages in the service design process:

1. Service Strategy
2. Service Design
3. Service Transition
4. Service Operations
5. Continual Service Improvement

Based on a Service Value System (SVS), ITIL V4 describes how all aspects of the framework should work together in order to deliver value to an organization.

This is where the Service Value Chain is:

ITIL V3 Continual Service Improvement vs ITIL V4 Continual Improvement 

ITIL V4's CSI model is now referred to as CI model in place of V3's. Using the ITIL V4 model for continuous improvement, a structured approach can be utilized to identify and implement various improvements that can be applied to all levels of the organization. This seven-step process is essentially the same as the ITIL V3 framework's seven-step improvement process.

ITIL V3 Guiding Principles vs ITIL V4 Guiding Principles 

With ITIL V4, you are now limited to only 7 guiding principles that were part of ITIL V3. Check out the ITIL V3 vs V4 differences in their guiding principles.

ITIL V4 Four Dimensions vs. ITIL V3 Four P's

In the ITIL V4 framework, the four P's have been replaced with four dimensions.

ITIL V3 /ITIL V4 Qualification Roadmap

The ITIL V3 certification path starts with the foundation course and depending on the specialisation you choose between service capability and service lifecycle modules, you reach the intermediate certification of MALC, and then with further training, become an ITIL Expert and ultimately an ITIL Master. These modules were discontinued at the end of 2021. The ITIL V4 certification follows a modular and tiered approach, the journey starts with the foundation program, go on to the ITIL Managing Professional and ITIL Strategic Leader levels before becoming an ITIL Master.

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Governance is Emphasized in ITIL V4 

In the service value system, the governance component of ITIL V4 discusses how to direct and control any organization. This topic was covered as a subtopic within the earlier framework and was of little importance, but in the ITIL V4 framework, it occupies a prominent position within the SVS and is given a separate chapter.

ITIL V3 Value vs ITIL V4 Value Co-Creation 

'Services' are defined in ITIL V3 as ways to deliver value to the customer by facilitating outcomes he wants to achieve without incurring specific costs or risks. ITIL V4 provides an updated definition of service as a cooperative effort to co-create value by facilitating the outcomes a customer desires without putting anything at risk or cost. In addition to Service Provider and Regulator participation and contribution, Consumers, Suppliers, and Regulators are also required to be involved in Value Co-Creation in the ITIL V4 framework.

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Final Thoughts about ITIL V3 vs ITIL V4 

Keeping this in mind when examining the leap from ITIL V3 to ITIL 4, remember that the latter isn't about changing the content of the library, but rather about changing the approach and philosophy of ITIL. Particularly in fields under IT's purview, technology is advancing at an exponential rate. Therefore, it is an absolute necessity for today's IT departments to be fully equipped and informed in order to function in this dynamic new environment, ready to deal with any changes introduced by new innovation.

As a result, an increasing number of companies and organizations are starting to accept the idea that their IT department is vital to their success. Because of this, the IT department is fully integrated into the company structure. To succeed in the 21st century, effective communication and collaboration are more essential than ever before.

Despite minor changes to ITIL 4's core concepts, the new edition sounds like a call to action that encourages employees and employers to change how they approach IT, as well as pointing them in the right direction for a more frictionless implementation. Hope this article helps you distinguish between these versions and address your ITIL V4 vs ITIL V3 queries. Learn more about KnowledgeHut ITIL foundation training online and upskill at you own schedule.