Is ITIL V3 Expert worth it?

I know here I sit after spending time and money to get my ITIL V3 Expert and I am writing such a question. I have spent some time reading opinions for and against and felt the need to post another angle to the debate.
It should be noted that this posting is also available as a message thread on LinkedIN in the ITIL Group. The link is: 

http://www.linkedin.com/groupItem?view=&gid=56987&type=member&item=55948760


Before I present my opinion on this debate and welcome comments I would like to quickly summarize the two camps.
The pro camps argument is summarized in ITIL Experts know ITIL very well.
The con camps say I have been doing ITSM "x" amount of years and do not need to waste the money.

Enough said about the two camps. For me each one misses the mark. The certification is the final product but the fact one embarked and completed the journey is the real benefit. To do so one needs to have certain traits. In this case they are refereed to as the Trinity: Patience, Preparation and Persistence.

What employer would not want these characteristics in a manager, team lead etc.

Look at it this way. IT is constantly changing, if someone tell you I have been doing "x" for "y" number of years and I do not need to be certified. It tells me that they are afraid to learn or at the very least are worried to be learn they are wrong about something. Just because you have been doing something for many years does not mean you have been doing it right.In this field one needs to be constantly learning. If you think otherwise you will not fair to well in IT.

Look at me I have been doing IT, IT Security and ITSM for a long time. I entered IT in 1994. I am completing my Masters Thesis in ITIL, COBIT, SOX and GLBA. And yet I still went for my ITIL V3 Expert, did I need to? For me the answer was yes. Why? Because I am a constant learner. I am always looking for challenges and mountains to climb (figuratively speaking). I could have just taken a "CapStone" can completed my Masters a while ago, instead I said nope, I am doing a masters thesis. It is much harder but you know what, companies I am in talks with have nothing but respect for my choice. They see someone who pushes himself and strives to learn and grow always.

To me ITIL V3 represents this idea. People who go for ITIL V3 and learners and seekers of challenges. Ask yourself this is it easy to get ITIL V3 Expert? No it is not.   .

First off to be certified means you are willing to study and invest time and money in your field of choice.
Would you want a doctor to operate on you who was not board certified? Why not?
Maybe because to be certified means you have X amount of knowledge.

In a perfect world we would be able to scan a persons brain and say yes he or she has this level of knowledge in this area. Well in reality we cannot so we created certifications.

I find it fascinating that people seem to say experience trumps certification. This is simply not true. To me it is a no brainier. You say you are experienced...great now quantify it...get certified. Why not? To much money? No time?

To me all these are excuses and I do not make excuses I solve problems.  

So is it worth it to get ITIL V3 Certified. In my opinion yes if you plan to do ITIL.
I am also a CISSP, because I work in security. Did I need to go for my CISSP?

They I stand before you (figuratively) holding the..."You have experience...then quantify it...!"
I would ask those who "have experience" but say no to certification "why?"

As I stated earlier to those against certification, why do we want doctors to be board certified then?

Thus I would like to open the floor to a lively and please keep it civil debate.

The Trinity

I got a response today on a LinkedIN discussion about ITIL Certification and it pertained to how ITIL V3 Expert helps in getting a job ore promotion. 

The question was about “real world” application of the knowledge. I was pondering this question for a bit of time now. In fact, I had brought with me to the office one of my favorite books, which I am currently reading for the fourth time now.

One point this author makes and I think is worth mentioning here is that the ITIL V3 Exert does not help one get a job or advance in ones job in and of itself. However, the journey to attain the ITIL V3 Expert does. 

The point is that by undertaking the journey in and of its self, one is setting a goal and achieving it. Moreover, because the goal is so difficult, it demonstrates certain character qualities that the individual who achieves ITIL V3 Expert must possesses; these qualities are collectively known as the trinity: Patience, Preparation and Persistence.

Allow me to explain each:

Patience: “…with patience, most problems fade away and many others can be caused to disappear.”

Preparation: “…with preparation most ‘surprises’ are discovered in ample time.”

Persistence: “…with persistence most obstacles can be removed or conquered.”

One needs to possess these qualities to attain ones ITIL V3 Expert. 

This is how ITIL V3 Expert helps one get a job or get a promotion. 

For in the end employers are  not only looking for these characteristics but reward those who can achieve them. Anyone possessing these characteristics and understanding them through experience will most likely be a good project manager, security manager etc.   

Thus in conclusion these are sought after qualities in good managers and business leaders. So cultivate these qualities in yourself and you will go far in your respective areas. 

ITIL LinkedIN Discussion Question/Response

I posted on LinkedIN a link to the blog and my notes. 


A gentleman made a great point: "....But what about practical guidance ( how the items you list are applied in the real world) as that is how students connect the dots back to the real world and have success on the exam."


My response is bellow:



The notes are from studying for the exam. 


Practical application comes from ones own experiences. For me my Masters Thesis which I am writing like a book for the intent of possible publication is about utilizing ITIL and COBIT to assist in implementing SOX and GLBA. 


It is impossible to explain practical guidance in a post such as this . Thus I emphasis to all students of ITIL to learn the concept. Once one has a solid grasp on concept then one can transition that knowledge into apply able knowledge. 


I agree and have stated that for me it was important to read supplemental material to compliment my years of experience. 


One thing though is that ITIL Exams are designed around ITIL ways to thinking. One may have difficulties if one adds their own knowledge to exam questions and answers (IE you choose the incorrect answer). One must in fact walk a fine line when taking the exams. One needs to almost put aside their knowledge and just filter in the ITIL material for the questions.  


I had a Masters Course Security Course Professor make a very good point once. "Just because you have been doing something for years does not mean you have been doing right."


In ITIL as in all learning one needs to be open to new ideas and accepting when one has been doing something incorrectly or maybe not the best way. 


This would be the most practical advice I could give anyone. Keep an open mind and be open to changing and adapting when necessary. 


Regardless of ones experience any employer is going to want an individual who can stop and say: 


"Hey I have been digging a hole here. I need to stop and climb out of it. Then I need to address this challenge I am presented with from a new angle." 


I have been on many a projects where holes were dug and too many people just kept digging and have researched many of the same. If one can learn to "LEARN" then this is a skill any employer will be impressed with. After one can LEARN one can then LEAD successfully. 


As always good luck to anyone doing ITIL or any other IT learning for that matter. 

ITIL Expert

I justed passed the final test: Managing Across the Lifecycle.

As I noted earlier I wanted to try to help others going for their ITIL Expert Certification.

So aside from this post.
I scanned all my notes into one PDF which you can find in the link bellow.  http://www.pelegit.com/FYI_Pages/Files_Pages/ITIL_Files.html

As for advice I can provide the following:

1) Read the material (all of it) - Yes the 5 Books (SS, SD, ST, SO, and CSI)

2) Really make sure you understand the concepts. ITIL has very little memorization, maybe 15% the remaining 85% is concept understanding.

3) Review the areas in the syllabus for each exam you are studying for. This is critical;
The latest syllabuses can be found at: http://www.pelegit.com/FYI_Pages/Files_Pages/ITIL_Files.html

4) Make sure you pay particular attention to any references to charts or graphs.
(Chances are these will be on the exam)

My next advice has to do with the sample questions you will receive from your course. I used Art of Service and they worked very well for me. There site is: http://theartofservice.com/

- Do not really try to do the questions but rather analyze them.
- Note which answers are 5 Point, 3 Point, 1 Point and 0 Point.
- Look at each question and note down key words and the concepts that are being conveyed through the question.
- Really understand the concepts in the questions (chancer are the concept will be in the real exam)
- Practice the sample questions A LOT! I would go over some 4 times.
- Really read them and NEVER draw conclusions.
- The real exam answers will NEVER add information but will make inferences so be careful.

Other helpful advice.
- Be Calm
- Try to get into a routine on exam days. For me it was gym, breakfast at Walker Brothers and go to the exam.

If you have the bandwidth and time feel free to download my notes PDF, this may help you as well.

Good Luck and although this is a difficult journey it is worth it.

PelegIT.com Updated

I just uploaded some new files under files/ITIL and changed the navigation bars.

I am planning to take MALC soon so I hope to be able to post my final thoughts soon.

As always good luck to all pursuing ITIL V3 Certifications.

Passed PPO

Got my results after the exam and I passed!
PPO was very difficult in my opinion. One exam left to go and then I will post my thought, advice etc.

As always to all going for their ITIL V3 Expert Good Luck!  :)