Why You're Confusing Frameworks with Methodologies

It's surprising how many project managers don't know the difference between a framework and a methodology. It's time to clear the air and clarify the differences.

Service Level Management: A Paradigm Shift

Most of the information available on Service Level Management focuses more on the technical and logistics side of implementing various agreements--and on the relationship management side of the equation. While the technical and logistics aspects of SLM are very important, there seems to be an abhorrent vacuum around the intrapersonal side of making SLMs truly flourish.

Service Level Management: Back to Basics

Developing a phased approach that brings continuous and measurable improvements is key to implementing an effective SLM capability. SLM isn’t about service level agreements, layers of complex processes and such. SLM is about aligning the services and capabilities IT provides to the organization with its fundamental operational and competitive sustainability needs.

Battle Royale: ITSM vs. CRM

Ever stop to think what the differences are between ITIL Service Level Management and mainstream Customer Relationship Management functions? Are they complementary to each other? Is CRM contained within SLM, or visa versa? The answers are a click away...

Do Customers Care About ITIL?

Can you use ITIL as a differentiator over your competition? Is this a meaningful differentiator that will make potential customers choose us over the competition, or is it just another thing that you have to do in order to keep the playing field equal and that only becomes a differentiator if you don’t do it?

SMITten with ITSM

Since service management is far more important to our customers than information technology, the acronym should be SMIT--or Service Management through Information Technology--rather than ITSM. There are many methods for structuring the improvement of the service that we provide to our customers, but all of the complexity boils down to a few important considerations.

Investigating ITIL

The Information Technology Infrastructure Library has become the recognized standard for managing IT service levels throughout the enterprise. What should you know about ITIL and service level management? Wrap your arms around the components and terminology contained within this extensive framework by reading on.

Embarking on a Services Journey through ITIL

ITIL brings with it tremendous potential to transform an organization. However, it requires unwavering persistence and commitment to leverage the transformation potential.

Migrating to ITIL: Evolution, Not Revolution (Part 1)

ITIL appears ready for prime time. So why isn’t it being implemented with great success across the board in IT organizations? This two-part series will set forth some observations and insights on how you can successfully evolve ITIL standards into your organization.

Migrating to ITIL: Evolution, Not Revolution (Part 2)

ITIL appears ready for prime time. So why isn't it being implemented with great success across the board in IT organizations? As we continue to look at how you can successfully evolve ITIL standards into your organization, we present the remainder of ITIL’s modules along with implementation recommendations.

Foundations for an ITIL Adoption Business Case

Like most projects, the value of ITIL needs to be quantified and communicated clearly to the rest of your organization. The combination of information on benchmarked cost saves--paired with baselined metric data or value drivers--will present them with the information needed to tell a convincing story and sell the business case.

How do I introduce service management into my organization?

How does service management affect projects?

What are some service management best practices?