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Blog entry submitted by skeptic
 on Mon, 2009-06-08 09:33. [nid:1182] [Updated 18th September 2009, wrong ISO20000 book] With seemingly everyone gouging the ITIL user these days, is there an alternative for those of us who can't just (or just can't) get the boss to pay the exorbitant prices? You bet.
For those of you out there who are a bit cash strapped like me, here is the formula for building a formidable body of low-cost knowledge:
Total cost $211 for an awesome body of knowledge spanning ITIL, COBIT, ISO20000 and MOF - all that you need to work or consult in the ITSM industry. Any other tips from readers? Note: these links were current as of June 2009 - check for new versions. Bookmark this post with:  Buy your books here to support this blog: |
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v3 Glossary and acronyms
http://www.itsmf.co.uk/BestPractice/ITILV3Glossary.aspx
I thought about that
I thought about that. I suppose it is worth having though i find the definitions in isolation not terribly useful - I guess that is why it is free ;-D
All I ever comment is...
to refer people to FITS http://www.becta.org.uk/fits/index.cfm
So why not again now...
It's easy to follow, fairly simple and written straightforwardly. You can download it all as pdfs for £0.
Alex Jones
Quite useful
I've found it quite useful, though it would help if the definitions were more definitive.
Perhaps we need an ITIL/ITSM catechism.
Q: What is the right and proper aim of ITSM?
A: The right and proper end of ITSM is.....
We could also have the 39 Articles of the Frustrated Service Manager
Don't forget NGOSS/SID
Let’s not forget NGOSS/SID from the TeleManagement Forum. Any such catechism should begin with a reminder that ITSM does not equal ITPM. Most of the ITSM community is so focused on process improvement and process automation that they have forgotten what ITSM means... Service Management (not Process Management).
The Resource Facing Services that so many in the IT industry eat, breath and sleep, are not the end game (unless you happen to be a pure play service provider). For most organizations to be successful at ITSM, to achieve real Business-IT alignment, to know which ITSM projects are worth winning, and objectively allocate scarce resources, one must understand the linkages between Customer Facing and Resource Facing Services and assess the real business value of those services.
Hence V3's Focus on Service
Shane,
I agree - the real value in V3 is the major shift to Service or as I like to call it Business Capability thinking - this is seen in the Service Strategy & Service Design books.
This realization by internal IT service provider organizations that they need to act/behave/think as if they are an external SP - winning their corporate business teams business everyday.
Not sure what NGOSS/SID is could you expand?
NGOSS/SID
The following article does an excellent job of framing up NGOSS/SID and how it can be leveraged to define services, and service hierarchies, along the lines of CFSs and RFSs.
http://www.itsmwatch.com/itil/article.php/11700_3722116_1
This Service Definition activity is the first of four steps in IT Service Value Management (ref: www.nabsm.org).
IT-SVM does a great job of integrating the plethora of management methodologies, standards and best practices referenced by ITIL v3 (including NGOSS/SID) into a repeatable, easy to use, methodology that senior management can leverage for objectively allocating resources.
How one can get cheap ITIL training
I've been inspired by your post, and I've written one about how to get ITIL training almost for free (actually, from $17 to $99 it depends on country where you live).
Please look at:
http://pmit.pl/en/it-management/itil/itil-training-for-free-almost/
For consultants?
"Total cost $211 for an awesome body of knowledge spanning ITIL, COBIT, ISO20000 and MOF - all that you need to work or consult in the ITSM industry"
I agree that cost of official books is quite expensive, but if you want to "consult" in the ITSM industry for profit, please don't be cheap and buy the books :-)
How can someone be an "ITIL Consultant" without reading the books? I guess that this is the kind of consultants that go to a conference and backup their ideas with an "ITIL says that you should...", without having ever read a single page from the official ITIL books.
don't start with buying the ITIL books
It's a fair point: ITSM consulting is currently overwhelmingly ITIL consulting and yes you need to read the ITIL books to do ITIL consulting.
But not everyone working or even consulting in ITSM is working in ITIL. And that proportion will grow. There are better frameworks to plan your processes around (COBIT for one). ITIL will become a useful supplement for those who don't have a good knowledge of IT operations. You'll refer to bits of it when you need to.
If you are an "ITIL consultant" you need to have read the books, yes. In that sector you'll make enough in half a day to buy the books so why wouldn't you?
The point of this post is to give the alternate perspective that if your interest is in ITSM as an activity as compared to ITIL the branded proprietary body of knowledge, then you can learn all you need to know elsewhere and much more cheaply, and STILL get the ITIL-speak and the occasional in-depth fragment of the ITIL books for much less investment. That applies to many ITSM practitioners.
My advice: don't automatically start with buying the ITIL books. Buy then when you need to or if you make so much money you don't care.
Core ITIL V3 Books - 'Best Practice Online' - €49,00
All 5 core ITIL V3 Books via itSMF - 'Best Practice Online' for €49,00:
http://www.itsmfbooks.com/product_info.php?products_id=733&osCsid=381af0...
Not the same as printed copies but only about 10% the cost, for those of us who aren't consulting and want to be able to reference the source V3 books.
A little bit kludgy implementation, but searchable. Also offers audio. However, computer-generated voice is decidely 'not' user-friendly and has to be prompted for every page. I like to wear wireless headphones and listen to podcasts, webinars and other audio while doing household chores. With this audio, unfortunately have to go back to PC to turn each page.
Go to the source - please
The online books have long been available from here - the original publishers for OGC. I applaud Ivo and his team for bringing us this economic option against stiff opposition some claim. I encourage my classes and clients to say a small thank you to Ivo and Van Haren by buying direct.
You can get them here ITIL V3 ONLINE Complete Set (english version)
It should be noted that Van
It should be noted that Van Haren run the itsmf bookstore so either option is direct. At least with the itsmf option they get a little bit of commission that goes towards funding the itsmf. :-D