ITIL Methodology - Best Practice in Aligning IT and Business Objectives

ITIL methodology (Information Technology				respond to problems and incidents using service desk
Infrastructure Library) provides for a detailed list of				software. One of the important changes in ITIL has
processes that enables companies to manage its				been the processes that enable a holistic approach to
information technology. It brings together best practices				addressing customer issues. Viewing ITIL as a
strategies to help IT maintain a level of service to the				framework has enabled an integrated approach rather
business. The procedures defined in this methodology				than a silo approach. A silo approach that relies on
cover all areas of your IT infrastructure and apply				functions focuses on individual technical activities. An
equally to any technology that you are using.				integrated approach (ITIL best practice) that relies on
The ITIL methodology originated in the 1980s by the				good processes focuses on the outcome and the
United Kingdom's Central Computer and				experience of the end user. Change and release
Telecommunications Agency (CCTA) as the success				management too are now well structured with
of the business became increasingly dependent on IT.				comprehensive guidelines.
The business driver was to provide an organised and				ITIL Methodology - Implementation Planning:
measurable way of managing IT that was repeatable				Examines the issues and tasks involved in planning,
and systematic. ITIL is now the standard mode of				implementing, and improving service management
operation in public and private businesses worldwide. A				processes within an organization; also addresses the
series of guidelines provide the framework for the				issues associated with addressing cultural and
provision of IT services.				organizational change, the development of a vision and
It is not just large organisations that can implement ITIL.				strategy, and the most appropriate method of
Because it is independent of vendors and platforms,				approach.
the ITIL methodology can make significant quality				ITIL Methodology - Managing Security:
changes to any organisation. As IT is being driven to				With the increasing dependence on electronic
meet the business process needs, the business is				information the value of important company and
demanding greater assurance of the quality of service.				individual data is increasing. All security measures must
To achieve this many IT divisions are moving to				be taken to safeguard the risk of unauthorized access
provide end-to-end service management. The ITIL				to information. Managing security levels therefore
methodology, being an "open" framework addresses				includes risk assessment across all levels of IT and
all these needs.				processes put in place to manage risk as well as deal
The primary benefit of implementing ITIL best practice				with any security incidents.
is that the quality of the service is better matching the				ITIL Methodology - Managing Infrastructure:
business requirements and expectations. Furthermore,				IT extends well beyond the data centre today and its
ITIL sets a baseline for measurement and through				exposure covers both centralised and decentralized IT
continuous improvement lifts the quality benchmark. In				and the processes that make communications easier.
turn this creates a competitive advantage for any				ITIL therefore sets the guidelines for all management
organisation that implements ITIL. Customers then see				of IT infrastructure including management of networks,
the quality of service increasing and so their demand				management of data centre as well as local
and confidence in IT services increases. IT itself has a				operations. All operational processes are considered
more intense focus on what it needs to do to				from purchasing of equipment and services, installation,
differentiate the business competitively and strives to				testing and deployment into a production environment.
produce a higher quality product or service - thereby				ITIL Methodology - Business and IT Relationship:
contributing directly to the growth of the business.				An advanced, well managed operation that has ITIL
The guidelines cover:				best practice has a clear understanding with the
Service Delivery				business how each contribute to the company's goals
Service Support				and objectives. Aligning business and IT is paramount,
Service Management Implementation Planning				with both areas having a clear focus on the result that
Security Management				is required to move the company forward. ITIL
Infrastructure Management				provides the processes to assist IT in determining how
Working With Business				its work processes and efforts affect the business
Application Development Management				objectives.
ITIL Methodology - Service Delivery:				ITIL Methodology - Managing Applications:
The delivery of IT services requires a detailed level of				Application development can be a resource hungry
planning and the guidelines are designed to assist in the				and so an expensive process if not managed
long term improvement of the services that you				effectively throughout the life of the application. The
deliver. This will include the management of services to				ultimate goal is that the business has a return on its
clients, disaster recovery and business continuity,				investment and meets the goals of any new
defined availability levels for services and products that				application. IT has to manage the application as cost
includes ensuring that IT has enough capacity to handle				effectively as possible from design, development, its
growth and peaks in requirements.				operation until the application ceases to provide value
ITIL Methodology - Support:				to the business. Tight management is vital and ITIL
The daily service requirements are the most visible in				provides the guidelines by which best practice can be
the delivery of IT services. Having an efficient ITIL				gained in application development.
service desk enables you to manage and quickly