Want to know what you need to know to pass the ITIL 4 Foundation Exam?  Check out this great ITIL 4 Exam Tips Video by Dr. Suzanne Van Hove.

This Holiday Season, GogoTraining is giving away 1 ITIL 4 Managing Professional course per person.  If you are interested in getting ITIL 4 Certified, Contact Us Today and let us know which ITIL 4 course you would like to receive at no charge.

Please note that PeopleCert, the ITIL Exam Institute, requires students to purchase the exam voucher for their ITIL courses before they are granted access to the course.  To assist our students, we are offering exam discounts up to $200 depending on the exam required.

To find out more, Contact Us Today.

Wishing you the Happiest of Holidays and best wishes for the New Year ahead.

By Jim Ragle

When preparing to take an IT-related certification exam, one needs to decide whether to self-study using free content found online or to pay for an accredited, on-demand training course specifically designed to prepare you for the relevant certification exam.

I’ve had to make this choice several times.  And while I like to think of myself as resourceful and adept at filtering through online nonsense to find the good stuff, when it comes to certification exam prep it’s not worth the effort and risk to go it alone with free online content.

Choose the accredited training.  You’ll get certified much easier and faster.  Why?

First, let’s talk about the certification program content – the stuff that you will be tested on.  For most certification programs, that content is copyrighted by the owner of the certification program.  ITIL certification content, for example, is developed and maintained by Axelos, which is owned by PeopleCert.  Axelos/PeopleCert protect their copyright, as any commercial company developing content would do.  They make money by licensing that content to accredited training organizations and selling the certification (via an exam) to would-be practitioners like us.  As such, non-accredited training programs that do not license the ITIL content from Axelos/PeopleCert are prohibited from using the copyrighted content in their training offerings.

So, how can a free, unaccredited ITIL training program do a good job of training you for the exam if they aren’t allowed to share with you the copyrighted ITIL principles, practices, and methodologies?

One way they try to get around this is to simply provide free (or even paid) “practice exams” or sets of test questions you can review.  Just test questions and answers – no theory, no context, nothing taken from the copyrighted material (or not enough to raise any copyright issues). I’ve seen plenty of these free exam prep questions and they are often terribly written.  Here are some issues I’ve repeatedly seen in free exam prep questions:

• Only basic knowledge of English grammar is needed to select the right answer.  The question asks you to select the “action” that is most important in….whatever.  Of the four answer choices, only one of them (the right answer) is an action.  The other choices are simply not actions at all.  Trust me, your actual certification exam will NOT pull this trick on you.
• Only a basic ability to count is needed to select the right answer.  The question asks you to select the three elements of…whatever.  Each available choice is a list of items, but only one of the choices lists three things.  Again, you won’t see anything sloppy like this on a certification exam.
• Harder to spot are just wrong answers, where the available choices don’t contain the correct answer or the answer marked as correct is, in fact, not the correct one.  If you’ve not been exposed to the program content through training, how would you know that the answer is not D, but is actually C?  You are putting blind trust in these free test questions.
• Also hard to spot are questions that are simply irrelevant, off-topic, and thus highly unlikely to be on the exam.  Again, if you’ve not been trained, how would you even know that the question was irrelevant?  Why waste your time on this?

I’m not saying all the free exam prep content out there is bad.  It probably isn’t.  But how do you know if it’s good or bad if you don’t know the subject matter?  After all, you are admittedly a beginner if you are seeking a training course in ITIL Foundation V4, for example.

• As a beginner, can you spot training content that is wrong, misleading, or irrelevant and thus highly likely to not be on the test?
• Can you spot test questions that don’t include the correct answer in the available choices?  How would you know?

If you have a lot of time and are willing to wade through an abundance of ad-supported sites offering free sample test questions and can spot the red-flag test questions as described earlier, then maybe it will work for you.  However, you still have to pay for the certification exam, and there is a risk that you fail the exam and have to pay to retake it.  Are you willing to take that risk?

I’d rather pay for an accredited training program and save the time, hassle, and significantly reduce the risk of failing the test.  What you get when you select an accredited training program is the following:

• Actual content from the certification owner’s materials, which is what the test will be based upon.
• If the training program is specifically for certification exam prep, then it will be targeted to exactly what will be on the exam, nothing less, not much more.
• If the training program is good, it will likely be developed and presented by someone who is expert in the field and who can provide context, real-world anecdotes, and other supplementary information to help build a fuller understanding of the content, but still within the bounds of what will be covered on the exam.  This never hurts, as the test questions can and do change and sometimes they are situational and require more than just memorizing definitions.
• In addition to training content, good training programs include practice quizzes and practice tests, to help you gauge whether you are assimilating the content well enough to tackle the certification exam.

When I was preparing to take the ITIL Foundation V4 exam, I reviewed some of the free content (mostly free mini quizzes) and quickly realized this was a minefield.  After some research into accredited training programs, I chose the ITIL Foundation V4 training program offered by GogoTraining.  The course is structured as a series of modules (all on-demand) that include video presentations with accompanying slides, delivered by Dr. Suzanne Van Hove, who is a seasoned expert in IT Service Management and ITIL.  She brings vast, real-world Service Management experience to the training and does a fantastic job of adding context to the sometimes seemingly abstract concepts in ITIL.  Even with this additional context, the presentations were quickly paced – fast enough that I didn’t feel like I was wasting time but slow enough to follow (also, you can always pause and go back). Dr. Hove’s delivery is enthusiastic and animated, which helped make the training interesting and engaging.  Also, after every couple of modules, there are quizzes to gauge your progress and two full practice exams to take after finishing the course.  All helpful.  Most importantly, after taking the training, I immediately took the ITIL Foundation V4 certification exam and passed quite easily.

Accredited is the way to go, in my opinion.  And GogoTraining worked great for me.

If you were wondering, it’s true.  Project Managers can benefit directly from three of the new ITIL 4 courses.  If you are interested in benefiting from this intersection and advancing your career this article is here to help guide your path.

Background

ITIL 4 starts with Foundation and then branches into advanced 2 paths:  (1) The Managing Professional Path and (2) The Strategic Leader Path.  Both paths have courses that map to the Project Managers Mission.

#1 ITIL 4 Strategic Leader

The course with the highest level of intersection, where Project Management is “testable” is found in the Strategic Leader Path.  The course, Digital & IT Strategy (DITS), is the Strategic Leader capstone course.  It is designed for Managers and requires a minimum of 3 years management experience.

• DITS focuses on the importance and challenges of creating an appropriate digital strategy to enable success across departments and organizations.
• It also looks at how the digital business strategy can (and should) be integrated into the IT strategy and aligned with the wider organization’s goals.
• Students apply the concepts via 4 graded assignments which are required in order to take the certification exam.

How to Become an ITIL 4 Strategic Leader

In order to achieve the Digital & IT Strategy Certification (DITS), candidates need to have achieved the ITIL 4 Foundation and ITIL 4 Direct, Plan & Improve Certifications and have a minimum of 3-year management experience.  Prerequisite classes include:  ITIL 4 Foundation and ITIL 4 Direct, Plan and Improve (DPI).

#2 ITIL 4 Managing Professional

The other two courses are found in the ITIL 4 Managing Professional Track.  This track consists of 4 courses of which 2 of them are highly recommended for Project Managers:

• Direct, Plan & Improve (DPI) – This class as it focuses on the governance and strategy requirements necessary to deliver improved/new/changed services, etc. It’s one that is most like some of the context of Project Management.
• Drive Stakeholder Value (DSV) – This class discusses the stages of the customer journey and how to manage each stage.

What’s Left?

The other two courses in the Managing Professional track include Create, Deliver & Support (CDS) and High Velocity IT (HVIT).  These classes are more IT specific and look at how to manage service design and support, and how to exploit the various disruptive technologies.  The intersection is not as strong for Project Managers, but just in case you are interested, here are the details:

• Create, Deliver & Support (CDS) – This course talks about the creation of services using the service value chain and operational support.
• High Velocity IT (HVIT) – This course is the most technical (digital technology), and focuses on the five objectives of HVIT (valuable investments, fast development, resilient operations, co-creating value, and assured conformance) and the methods to fulfill these objectives.

If you have any questions or we can help in any way – Contact US or Call US at 877.546.4446

Get a bundle with ALL four ITIL 4 Managing Professional courses for one low price!

Introducing the ITIL 4 Managing Professional Pass.  Everything you need to fast-track and achieve the highly regarded ITIL 4 Managing Professional designation at the best possible price, in the easiest possible way.

How the Pass Works:

The pass give you lifetime access to the online self-paced courses and full instructor support.  Just like in the classroom, only better!  Courses are very comprehensive and detailed and can be taken online, anywhere, anytime.

• The cost is $2,495 for all four courses – that’s a savings of 38% off regular fees!
• Lifetime Access – to all 4 Accredited, comprehensive & detailed courses
• Official AXELOS Textbook – comes with every course
• PeopleCert Exam Voucher included – one per course
• Instructor Q&A – Ask the instructor questions while you take the classes

The Pass Includes:

• ITIL 4 Specialist – Create, Deliver & Support
• ITIL 4 Specialist – Drive, Stakeholder Value
• ITIL 4 Specialist – High Velocity IT
• ITIL 4 Strategist – Direct, Plan & Improve

Click on the course title to get full course details.

Prerequisites

The ITIL 4 Foundation exam is a prerequisite for all Managing Professional courses.  There is no prerequisite for the ITIL 4 Foundation course/exam.  Need Foundation certification?  Select the package Foundation + MP package below.

Exam & Certifications

One PeopleCert Exam Voucher is included with every course in the package.  You can add a Take2, PeopleCert Retake to the MP Package for $356.

Shopping Cart

Select the Purchase Option that’s right for you.  If you would like to have a second exam option, then be sure to add the PeopleCert Retake package to your shopping cart. 

ITIL 4 Managing Professional Pass – $2,495

ITIL 4 Foundation & Managing Professional Pass – $2,995

Add PeopleCert Retake Package – $356

 If you have any questions, or we can help in any way, Contact Us by Email or call us at 877.546.4446.

By Dr. Suzanne Van Hove

Why Take DPI First?

DPI is the class that I would take first in order to understand the foundational elements of the Service Value Stream (SVS), and to prepare the environment for service creation and delivery, stakeholder management, and eventually looking at the high-velocity environment.

Focus On The Organization

Looking at the new ITIL® training schema and the importance of service value system, Governance and guiding principles are key to setting up a system that reflects the needs of the organization and consumer.  ITIL 4 Direct, Plan and Improve focuses on those aspects, ensuring the foundational principles are in place so that the approving of new/changed products and services is accurate and beneficial to the organization and consumer.

Factors Critical to Your Success

The principles of governance, risk and compliance (GRC) are the main topics of DPI as well as organizational change management (OCM), continual improvement, and measurement and reporting.  While these topics are may be a bit on the “non-exciting” side, they are crucial and fundamental to good service delivery.

Ready to Get Started?

Get the 90 Day Special Offer Today!

In honor of the release of our fully Accredited ITIL 4 Managing Professional courses, GogoTraining is offering 50 Free ITIL 4 Exam Vouchers to the first 50 people who purchase an ITIL 4 Managing Professional Course this month.

Here is how it works:

• Purchase the course(s) you need using the links below for $495
• Receive a Free PeopleCert Exam Voucher – Valid for 1 year
• Receive Lifetime Access to the course
• Receive full instructor support by Dr. Suzanne Van Hove
• Save $488 (PeopleCert Exam Voucher Price)

Click on the link below to secure your Free ITIL 4 Managing Professional Exam Voucher:

• Create, Deliver and Support
• Drive Stakeholder Value
• High Velocity IT
• Direct, Plan and Improve

Have questions or need to upgrade your ITIL v3 status to ITIL 4?  Contact Us

This offer is valid throughout March 2021.

I was talking to my good friend Corde Wager (ITIL 4 Managing Professional and all around good guy) today about how to explain the significance of the ITIL 4 Strategic Leader Program and he said:

“ITIL V3 showed us how to manage processes.   With the growth of digital technology throughout the corporation and the advent of ITIL 4, organizations have to grow beyond processes and learn how to create successful digital direction for the entire organization and their customer base.  To do this IT Leaders need to learn how to create and integrate a digital strategy.   In addition, key managers and executives throughout the corporation need to be a part of this process.  Technology is everywhere and this is just the beginning.  Without an organizationally created and endorsed digital strategy, organizations will not see the future or be prepared for opportunities it offers.”

After I spoke to Corde, I received my weekly newsletter from Ian Sachs of Rick Resource that gives us the icing on the cake so to speak on the importance of becoming an ITIL 4 Strategic Leader.  Make sure you don’t get left behind.  I couldn’t have said it better (see below).  Thank you Ian Sachs of Risk Resource.

Food for Thought: Projecting the Future

Many of the world’s most influential businesspeople and industry leaders failed to fully appreciate the capabilities of their own work while underestimating or misinterpreting the future. There is no better way to point this out than to consider some of the past century’s most prominent examples.

• 1893 – Postmaster General John Wanamaker stated that the U.S. mail would be delivered by stagecoach and horseback, even 100 years in the future.

• 1899 – Charles H. Duell, commissioner of the U.S. Office of Patents, said, “Everything that can be invented has been invented.”

• 1903 – The New York Times declared that flying machines were a waste of time just a week before the Wright brothers successfully flew their airplane at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.

• 1927 – Harry M. Warner, one of the founders of Warner Brothers, remarked during the era of silent movies, “Who the hell wants to hear actors talk?”

• 1943 – Thomas Watson, chairman of IBM, said “I think there is a world market for maybe five computers.”

• 2000 – John Antioco, CEO of Blockbuster, overlooked the capabilities of internet “streaming” and turned down an offer to buy Netflix for $50M. Blockbuster, the company that pioneered movie rentals, filed for bankruptcy in 2010.

As our society continues to course through exponential growth in technology, innovation, living standards, and of course, a pandemic, it’s important to remain prudent and to think through all possible outcomes and scenarios before turning down opportunities or accepting new ones. Leave your ego and stubbornness at the door and make room for more thoughts and opinions. Don’t be too quick to stick with comfortable decisions. History rewards those who were bold – the gamblers that bet on the future and not against it.

Don’t get left behind.  To Learn More about the GogoTraining ITIL 4 Strategic Leader Program, Click Here.

To ready the full article by Ian Sachs, Click here  

The ITIL 4 Strategic Leader Designation is an exciting Senior, Leader-Level, Certification.  It is designed for professionals across all organizations who are involved in crafting digital vision and shaping IT and business strategy.  When you achieve the Strategic Leader designation you will be a part of an exclusive group of professionals who hold the most valued ITIL 4 Leadership Certification.

Strategic Leader Requirements

The ITIL 4 Strategic Leader Certification is a true Leader-Level Certification.  In order to achieve the Strategic Leader Certification candidates must:

1. Have 3 or more years of Management Experience
2. Have the required course prerequisites described below
3. Receive a passing mark on the 4 Digital and IT Strategy Course Assignments
4. Complete the Accredited Digital and IT Strategy Course.
5. Take and pass the ITIL 4 Leader:  Digital and IT Strategy Exam given by PeopleCert

Strategic Leader Courses

This program consists of 2 courses:

• ITIL 4 Strategist:  Direct, Plan and Improve (DPI):  Providing practical and strategic methods for delivering Continual Service Improvement.
• ITIL 4 Leader:  Digital & IT Strategy (DITS): Creating digital strategy that enables success across departments and organizations.

Strategic Leader Pathways

There are 3 ways to qualify to take the Digital & IT Strategy course which is required to become an ITIL 4 Strategic Leader.

1. Shortest Way – 1 Course Required

Everyone who holds the ITIL 4 Managing Professional Transition Certification or who holds the ITIL Strategist Direct, Plan and Control Certification, may go straight to the Strategic Leader Course.

If this is you, then Click Here to take advantage of a Very Special LIFETIME Access Offer – Valid September 2020. 

2. Next Shortest – 2 Courses Required

If you hold the ITIL 4 Foundation Certification you qualify to take the Direct, Plan and Improve course followed by the ITIL 4 Leader, Digital and IT Strategy.

If this is you, then Click Here to take advantage of a Very Special LIFETIME Access Offer – Valid September 2020.

3. Need It All – 3 Courses Required

If you hold the ITIL V3 Foundation Certificate or are NEW to ITIL, then you need to start with the ITIL 4 Foundation Course followed by DPI and DITS.

If this is you, then Click Here to take advantage of a Very Special LIFETIME Access Offer – Valid September 2020.

Need Help?

Click Here and share your ITIL training and certification experience with us and we will get back to you within 48 hours with a custom training plan.  For everything else, contact us by email at customerservice@gogotraining.com or by phone at 877.546.4446.  We are standing by to help.

Are you planning on becoming an ITIL 4 Strategic Leader?  If yes, read on…The ITIL 4 Strategic Leader Designation consists of 2 courses, however, depending on your background you may only have to take one of them.  Here is how it works:

There are two courses in the Strategic Leader Path:

• ITIL Strategist: Direct, Plan and Improve (DPI)
• ITIL Leader: Digital and IT Strategy (DITS)

Now here is where it gets tricky:

1. If you took the ITIL 4 Managing Professional Transition course, then you only have to take the Digital and IT Strategy course to become a Strategic Leader.
2. If you took Direct, Plan and Improve as part of your Managing Professional series of courses, then you only have to take the Digital and IT Strategy course to become a Strategic Leader.
3. If you are new to ITIL 4, then you need to take the ITIL 4 Foundation course before you can take either DPI or DITS.

Exclusive Pre-Release Offer

GogoTraining is very excited to announce that Dr. Suzanne Van Hove’s ITIL Leader: Digital and IT Strategy course will release late September when PeopleCert launches the course.  In honor of the release we are offering are offering an EXCLUSIVE Pre-Sale Offer that gives you a $400 Discount and reduces the course to $895.

 Do you  Qualify to take the Digital and IT Strategy Course?

 In order to take the course you must have a minimum of 3 years’ experience as a Manager and have taken either the ITIL 4 Foundation course or the ITIL 4 Managing Professional Transition course.

How Does This Course Differ From All Other ITIL Courses?

• You have to be a manager with a minimum of 3 years experience to take the course
• You have to complete 4 class assignments with a pass mark to take the exam
• The exam focuses on the application of the knowledge you have learned

Who Grades your Assignments?

Dr. Van Hove personally grades your assignments and answers your questions.

What is Included in this Great Package?

This package sells for $1,295 and is available on this pre-release special offer for only $895:  When you purchase this bundle you receive:

• The Digital and IT Strategy Video Course
• 4 Case Studies with instructor review and assessment
• The Official AXELOS DITS Publication, PDF Version
• 1 PeopleCert Exam Voucher
• 1 Free PeopleCert Exam Retake
• Q&A with Dr. Van Hove

Save $400 on this EXCLUSIVE Pre-Sale Offer Today!