Let’s Follow Common Sense Instead Of ITIL Best Practices! Really?

April 1, 2017 | ITIL

IT professionals are sometimes labeled as being either outdated or too theoretical by referring to ITIL books or practicing ITIL. I have observed some of IT and Business Professionals questioning the value of ITIL, its validity and results. The opinions that are being vocalized are very much in contradiction with the framework’s principles and objectives.
Some say it is outdated, boring, too theoretical, and accuse it of not driving relevant, measurable results; others say it is old fashioned. To some ITIL appears complex, non comprehensive, and impossible to follow, somewhat against a “common sense”. They ask me:
  • Did you see ITIL being implemented? All 26 Processes???
  • Isn’t ITIL just another moneymaking scheme?
  • Is ITIL valuable in the real world, is it actually feasible?
 
And my favourite (and the most common):
  • Why we wouldn’t just implement IT Processes which makes common sense, instead of following THE ITIL BOOKS???
 
However, I have also observed that most of the people that reach out to me with these questions, statements and assumptions have either never tried the framework themselves or have been only marginally exposed to it. Sadly, they just did not know what they did not know. As an ITIL practitioner for the past 17 years, I cannot only say it works, but I have dozens of projects and results that support it.
 
I am a huge believer and supported of ITIL Best Practices.
 
It is NOT outdated.
 
I love what Gerard Blokdijk from The Art of Service Pty Lt, Australia said “ITIL turned from hype to mainstream around 2014 and has been stable in job postings and requirements ever since. It isn’t for people looking for “sexy.” ITIL is all about fundamentals. And, going *deep* into those fundamentals.”
 
And yes, there is a strong theory behind ITIL, which makes it powerful.
 
So here are some things that you need to know about ITIL and its future:
 
  • ITIL V1 originated in the 1980’s. Given the fact that it has been used for the past 25+ years and still counting, it is hard to believe that the practice is a scam, as its longevity and extended usage validates its value.
  • A Payscale.com’s 2015 report quoted bysimplilearn.com shows that ITIL program managers earn an average salary of $119,248 a year.
  • Indeed.com shows that the average salary for someone with ITIL certifications in 2017 is $83,724 per year, while the highest is of $123,319. All in all, these figures make ITIL experts the highest-paid in the IT industry. As of today, there are 1500 jobs in Indeed.com require ITIL certification, and more than 1000 jobs pay more than $ 60, 000 salary.
  • Over 300,000 ITIL exams have been administered every year in 2012** and 2014***, and, according to research quoted by itskeptic.org, in 2010, there were over 1,000,000 ITILers out there.
And the arguments don’t stop here. According to Axelos, ITIL has been adopted by thousands of organizations worldwide, including NASA, Microsoft, HSBC, The Walt Disney Company, Müller Dairy etc.
 
If this article attracted your attention, it means that you are interested in the topic. And if you, dear Reader, are still in doubt whether your organization, your department, your team, or yourself personally as an IT Professional would benefit out of ITIL implementation, let me reassure you: it will. If everyone’s doing it and seeing results, why would your case be any different?
Come to us for more with your questions, we will gladly provide you more information.
At IT Chapter, we provide ITIL training and consulting, as well as private coaching and accompaniment services for executives.

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