With the somewhat recent launch of IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL) v3, many CIOs are questioning what’s new with this version of ITIL, how has it changed and it's increased value. In order to better understand ITIL v3 and put questioning minds at ease, my associates (specifically ITIL Experts David Cannon and Jeroen Bronkhorst) and I have compiled a list of the 10 most important things CIOs need to know about ITIL.

1. What is ITIL?

Developed by the British government in the 1980’s, ITIL is a framework of best practices intended to facilitate the delivery and management of high quality IT services. ITIL outlines an extensive set of people, processes and technology best practices intended to support businesses in achieving both quality and value in IT organizations. As one of the most heavily adopted and non-proprietary best practices guidelines for IT in the world, ITIL is the catalyst that enables IT to align itself with, and not get in the way of, overall business strategy.

2. Why is ITIL important to the CIO?

ITIL best practices can help ensure the effectiveness of an IT organization and the ability of the CIO to enable better business outcomes. ITIL can help the CIO better deliver IT services at a more effective cost and make IT a more strategic component of your business. It provides the CIO a potential advantage.

3. The world has not crumbled beneath your feet - ITIL v3 builds on a solid ITIL v2

ITIL v3 refines the standards and processes developed in previous versions, but does not replace them. The concepts outlined in previous versions are not lost. Therefore, CIOs who have already adopted v2 or have yet to adopt ITIL at all can adopt v3 at their leisure. Earlier ITIL certifications (under "v1 and v2) continue to be recognized and bridging classes are now being offered for those who want or need to learn what is new.

ITIL v3 is composed of five books compared to v2’s nine books, eliminating some of the overlap in v2. Version 3 also focuses more on the business value of IT through a "Service Lifecycle" approach. It helps bring a business management approach and discipline to IT Service Management. From that perspective, the five core volumes of ITIL v3 emphasize the complementary aspects of running IT like a business.

4. ITIL v3 provides specific guidance for you, the CIO

Version 3 of ITIL clearly demonstrates the business benefits and value of IT, including ROI, strategic models and supporting supply chain, especially in the new Service Strategy Book. The CIO is not expected to figure it all out on his/her own; ITIL is there to provide guidance.

5. Successfully implementing ITIL requires support from the CIO

Although there have been a number of "stealth" ITIL initiatives, successful implementation of ITIL concepts must be endorsed and supported from the top executives of the organization (who really have the most to gain). Implementation of these best practices will require organizational and cultural changes. It is easy to define processes, but for the implementation to be successful, the organization’s people need to be on board and see the value of ITIL being endorsed from the higher level. The CIO is naturally expected to provide vision, strategy, direction, the means for realization, and to “walk the talk” of quality service.

6. ITIL v3 makes IT more substantive

ITIL v3 moves the IT department from a tech support unit to a strategic business component. As ITIL best practices are implemented in the organization, people will begin to understand what it is the IT organization does and how IT works.

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