- 5Shares
In this chapter, we are going to provide a brief overview of ITIL Service Management Lifecycle or ITSM Lifecycle in the context of ITIL V3. This discussion topic would also include the Deming Cycle (or PDCA Cycle) which is the foundation of the ITIL Service Lifecycle.
What is The Meaning of Lifecycle?
Lifecycle (or Service Lifecycle) in IT Service Management (ITSM), is the dynamic, iterative process of changing the Service Profile over time. It’s done by incorporating new business processes, new technology, and new capabilities, as well as maintenance, disposition, and disposal of existing elements of the Service.
[See Also: ITSM vs ITIL: What's the Difference?]
What is IT Service Management Lifecycle or ITSM LifeCycle?
The IT Service Management Lifecycle (ITSM Lifecycle) and the ITIL Processes are modeled upon a well-established management method for continual improvement. For example as the "Plan-Do-Check-Act" or " Deming cycle" that was made popular by Edwards Deming.
[See Also: The Relation Between Deming Cycle and ITIL 7 Step Improvement Process]
The IT Service Management Lifecycle is organized in five stages consists of several processes.
The ideas behind these stages are that the service providers should evaluate their service on a regular basis to check if their services are being delivered according to expectations, and take corrective action if necessary.
What is Deming Cycle and How it Drives ITSM?
PDCA (Plan–Do–Check–Act) is an iterative four-step management method used in business for the quality control and continual improvement of processes and products. PDCA cycle was made popular by Dr. W. Edwards Deming and that is the reason why it is also popularly known as Deming Cycle.
A fundamental principle of the PDCA is iteration (Repeating same steps again & again) - It is a hypothesis that executing the cycle repeatedly will extend the knowledge. And Repeating the PDCA cycle can bring us nearer to the goal, typically a perfect operation and output.
ITIL Service Management Lifecycle Stages and Processes:
As defined in ITIL v3, the ITIL Management Service Lifecycle (or ITSM Lifecycle) is organized in five stage modules, consisting several ITIL processes under each of the stages. A proper ITIL service management lifecycle diagram has been given below, followed by short descriptions of those processes:
1) ITIL Service Strategy (SS):
This is the first stage (or module) of ITIL Service Lifecycle which is used to align the activities of IT Department with the core business. This is the stage where we decide on a strategy to serve customers.
The main processes of this stage are:
- Strategy Management for IT Services,
- Service Portfolio Management,
- Financial Management for IT Services,
- Demand Management,
- Business Relationship Management.
There are also few sub-processes which we would know in later chapters.
2) ITIL Service Design (SD):
The second phase of ITIL Service lifecycle to demonstrate the services provided by IT Department to support the business. Here we design & alter services that are being “offered to” or “to be offered” to customers.
The main processes of this stage are:
- Design Coordination,
- Service Catalogue Management,
- Service Level Management,
- Capacity Management,
- Availability Management,
- IT Service Continuity Management,
- Information Security Management,
- Supplier Management,
- Risk Management,
- Compliance Management,
- Architecture Management,
There are also few sub-processes which we would know in later chapters.
3) ITIL Service Transition (ST):
In this the intermediate stage of ITSM Lifecycle, through which services are handed-over from the development phase to operations phase.
The main processes of this stage are:
- Transition Planning and Support (Project Management),
- Change Management,
- Change Evaluation,
- Service Asset and Configuration Management,
- Release and Deployment Management,
- Service Validation and Testing,
- Knowledge Management.
There are also few sub-processes which we would know in later chapters.
4) ITIL Service Operation (SO):
This phase ensures that services are delivered within the agreed service level. And also works to maintain the continuity of business by resolving any kind of issues faced by users on day to day basis.
The main processes & Functions of this stage are:
- Event Management,
- Incident Management,
- Request Fulfillment,
- Problem Management,
- Access Management,
- Service Desk (Function),
- Technical Management (Function),
- IT Operations Management (Function),
- IT Operations Control (Sub-Function),
- Facilities Management (Sub-Function),
- Application Management (Function),
There are also few sub-processes which we would know in later chapters.
5) ITIL Continual Service Improvement (CSI):
The final stage of ITIL Lifecycle that helps to identify and implement improvements strategies to provide better service in future. This is purely based on Deming Cycle or PDCA Cycle.
The main processes of this stage are:
There are also few sub-processes which we would know in later chapters.
We hope that you have enjoyed the above article about ITIL Service Management Lifecycle (or ITSM Lifecycle). The topics discussed here would get more clear to you as you go through other chapters of ITIL. Be with us to explore free training on Leading Technologies and Certifications.
Leave us some comments if you have any question about ITIL Service Management Lifecycle or you need any further clarification on it, we would be definitely helping you out.
If you like our articles please like our facebook and twitter page to receive notifications on recent and updated contents.
Related
- 5Shares
