HomeBlogIT Service ManagementITIL V3 vs ITIL V4: What's The Difference

ITIL V3 vs ITIL V4: What's The Difference

Published
24th Apr, 2024
Views
view count loader
Read it in
8 Mins
In this article
    ITIL V3 vs ITIL V4: What's The Difference

    Introduction 

    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 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:

    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.

    ITIL V3 vs ITIL V4: What's The Difference

    This is where the Service Value Chain is:

    ITIL V3 vs ITIL V4: What's The Difference

    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 PrinciplesITIL V4 Guiding Principles
    1. Focus on Value
    2. Design for Experience
    3. Start where you are
    4. Work Holistically
    5. Progress Iteratively
    6. Observe Directly
    7. Be Transparent
    8. Collaborate
    9. Keep it Simple
    1. Focus on Value
    2. Start where you are
    3. Progress Iteratively with Feedback
    4. Collaborate and Promote Visibility
    5. Think and Work Holistically
    6. Keep it Simple and Practical
    7. 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’sITIL V4 Four Dimensions
    1. People
    2. Process
    3. Product
    4. Partners
    1. Organizations and people
    2. Information and technology
    3. Partners and suppliers
    4. Value streams and processes

    ITIL V3 /ITIL V4 Qualification Roadmap

    ITIL V3 Four P’sITIL V4 Four Dimensions
    1. Foundation
    2. Practitioner
    3. Intermediate (Service Lifecycle and Service Capability categories)
    4. Expert
    5. Master
    1. ITIL Foundation
    2. ITIL Managing Professional
    3. ITIL Strategic Leader
    4. 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.

    Enroll in our project management course to achieve your career goals. Discover project management course objectives, acquire the expertise to steer triumphant projects, and elevate your professional growth.

    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.

    Top Cities where KnowledgeHut Conduct ITIL Certification Training Course Online

    ITIL Certification in Singapore
    ITIL Certification in Melbourne
    ITIL Certification in Pune
    ITIL Certification in Mumbai
    ITIL Certification in Perth
    ITIL Certification in Bangalore
    ITIL Certification in Sydney
    ITIL Certification in Toronto
    ITIL Certification in Hyderabad
    ITIL Certification in Dubai
    ITIL Certification in Brisbane
    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)

    1What 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.

    2How 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.

    Profile

    Manikandan Mohanakrishnan

    Consultant

    Manikandan Mohanakrishnan is a highly skilled corporate trainer, consultant, and content developer with expertise in a wide range of areas including ITIL 4, PRINCE2, Agile/Scrum, PMP, DevOps, and soft skills. With a passion for delivering exceptional training experiences, Manikandan offers a comprehensive suite of training services covering service management, project management, business simulations, and more. With over 20+ years of experience, he has successfully facilitated numerous programs, including business communications, emotional intelligence, team building, and organizational change management. Manikandan's dedication to empowering individuals and organizations shines through his motivational talks and impactful training sessions.

    Share This Article
    Ready to Master the Skills that Drive Your Career?

    Avail your free 1:1 mentorship session.

    Select
    Your Message (Optional)

    Upcoming IT Service Management Batches & Dates

    NameDateFeeKnow more
    Course advisor icon
    Course Advisor
    Whatsapp/Chat icon