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ITIL V3 vs ITIL V4: What's The Difference

ITIL V3 vs ITIL V4: What's The Difference

Updated on 08 April, 2022

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Table of Contents

An overview of ITILV3
An overview of ITILV4
ITIL® V3 Framework
ITIL® V4 Framework
ITIL V3 Process vs ITIL V4 Practices
ITIL V3 Service Lifecycle vs ITIL V4 Service Value System
ITIL V3 Continual Service Improvement vs ITIL V4 Continual Improvement
ITIL V3 Guiding Principles vs ITIL V4 Guiding Principles
ITIL V4 Four Dimensions vs. ITIL V3 Four P's
ITIL V3 /ITIL V4 Qualification Roadmap
Governance is Emphasized in ITIL V4
ITIL V3 Value vs ITIL V4 Value Co-Creation
Final Thoughts about ITIL V3 vs ITIL V4

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:

Service Value Chain (SVC)
ITIL Practices
ITIL Guiding Principles
Governance
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 Processes

ITIL V4 Practices

Service Strategy
Strategy Management
Demand Management
Service Portfolio Management
Financial Management
Business Relationship Management

Service Design
Service Catalog Management
Availability Management
Information Security Management
Service Level Management
Capacity Management
Design Coordination
Supplier Management
IT Service Continuity Management

Service Transition
Transition Planning and Support
Change Management
Change Evaluation
Release and Deployment Management
Service Assets & Configuration Management
Service Validation and Testing
Knowledge Management

Service Operation
Access Management
Event Management
Service Request Fulfilment
Incident Management
Problem Management

Continual Service Improvement
The Seven-Step Improvement

General Management Practices
Architecture Management
Continual Improvement
Information Security Management
Knowledge Management
Measurement and Reporting
Organizational Change Management
Portfolio Management
Project Management
Relationship Management
Risk Management
Service Financial Management
Strategy Management
Supplier Management
Workforce and Talent Management

Service Management Practices
Availability Management
Business Analysis
Capacity and Performance Management
Change Control
Incident Management
IT Asset Management
Monitoring and Event Management
Problem Management
Release Management
Service Catalog Management
Service Configuration Management
Service Continuity Management
Service Design
Service Desk
Service Level Management
Service Request Management
Service Validation and Testing

Technical Management Practices
Deployment Management
Infrastructure and Platform Management
Software Development and Management

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:

Service Strategy
Service Design
Service Transition
Service Operations
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 V3 Guiding Principles	ITIL V4 Guiding Principles
Focus on Value Design for Experience Start where you are Work Holistically Progress Iteratively Observe Directly Be Transparent Collaborate Keep it Simple	Focus on Value Start where you are Progress Iteratively with Feedback Collaborate and Promote Visibility Think and Work Holistically Keep it Simple and Practical Optimize and Automate

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 Four P’s	ITIL V4 Four Dimensions
People Process Product Partners	Organizations and people Information and technology Partners and suppliers Value streams and processes

ITIL V3 /ITIL V4 Qualification Roadmap

ITIL V3 Four P’s	ITIL V4 Four Dimensions
Foundation Practitioner Intermediate (Service Lifecycle and Service Capability categories) Expert Master	ITIL Foundation ITIL Managing Professional ITIL Strategic Leader ITIL Master

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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ITIL Certification in Singapore	ITIL Certification in Melbourne	ITIL Certification in Delhi
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ITIL Certification in Chennai	ITIL Certification in Kolkata	ITIL Certification in Calgary

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.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the main difference between ITIL v3 and V4?

In ITIL 4, 34 practices describe what you'll need in order to create value with clients and stakeholders. From the perspective of ITIL V3, these practices are greatly expanded from what the 29 processes of ITIL V3 were-a a reflection of significant changes affecting the industry in recent years. Each organization will have its own needs and requirements related to these practices, so guidance is tailored to meet those needs.

2. How is ITIL V4 different from the previous version?

ITIL 4 differs from the older versions by expanding on best practices and adding new information on integration. ITIL 4 emphasizes the concepts of costs, outcomes, risks, and value.