Building on ITIL® 4 Foundation: A Guide to the Next Certifications

Table of Contents

1. Introduction: Why ITIL® 4 Foundation is Just the Beginning
2. What Comes After ITIL® 4 Foundation? Exploring Your Learning Path
3. AVC´s ITIL® 4 Specialist Courses
4. ITIL® 4 Strategist Courses: Taking Your Career to the Next Level
5. Conclusion

After completing ITIL® 4 Foundation, many professionals ask, "What’s next?" The ITIL® 4 Foundation certification is just the beginning of a long and rewarding journey in IT service management (ITSM). It provides you with essential knowledge of the ITIL® framework and how it can be applied to improve IT services. However, as you progress in your career or seek to deepen your expertise, you'll discover that there are many advanced certifications that can help you achieve your professional goals.

In this blog post, we will explore the next steps after ITIL® 4 Foundation and introduce you to the various courses available at Adding Value Consulting (AVC). These courses are designed to enhance your skills, whether you want to specialize in a particular area of IT service management or move into leadership and strategic roles. Let’s dive in!

Introduction: Why ITIL® 4 Foundation is Just the Beginning

The ITIL® 4 Foundation certification serves as the starting point in your IT Service Management (ITSM) journey. It provides a strong understanding of the core principles and practices of ITIL® 4, setting you up with a foundation for continued learning and growth in ITSM. However, the Foundation course is just the beginning. As ITIL® evolves and organizations require more advanced expertise, continuing your ITIL® education is crucial for career advancement and to stay ahead of the curve in an increasingly dynamic industry.

In this blog post, we will explore the advanced ITIL® 4 certifications that you can pursue after completing the Foundation course and why these courses will propel your career to new heights.

What Comes After ITIL® 4 Foundation? Exploring Your Learning Path

After completing the ITIL® 4 Foundation course, the next logical step is to pursue more specialized certifications that delve deeper into various aspects of IT Service Management. The Foundation level provides a broad understanding of the ITIL® 4 framework, but the advanced courses help you master specific competencies that are highly relevant to today's IT landscape.

Whether you're looking to enhance your expertise in areas such as stakeholder management, high-velocity IT, or digital and IT strategy, there’s a tailored learning path waiting for you. These advanced certifications build on the concepts introduced in the Foundation course and offer deeper knowledge in areas that are crucial for IT professionals looking to lead in their roles.

Why Choose Advanced ITIL® 4 Certifications?

Enhancing Career Opportunities

Advanced ITIL® 4 certifications significantly enhance your career opportunities by equipping you with deeper, specialized knowledge in various areas of IT Service Management. As businesses are increasingly focused on improving their IT operations, professionals with advanced skills in areas such as stakeholder value management, high-velocity IT, and service delivery are in high demand.

Moreover, earning advanced certifications boosts your credibility and expertise, making you more attractive to employers who value professionals who can drive change and improve service efficiency. These specialized credentials also open the door for promotions, higher salaries, and more challenging projects.

Staying Relevant in the Evolving IT Landscape

ITIL® 4 is designed to be flexible and adaptable to modern technologies and practices. With the constant evolution of IT systems, digital platforms, and service delivery models, having an up-to-date and advanced understanding of ITIL® is essential for staying relevant. Completing advanced certifications ensures that you're equipped with the latest best practices, tools, and strategies to tackle modern IT challenges and lead your organization toward digital transformation.

AVC´s ITIL® 4 Specialist Courses

After achieving ITIL® 4 Foundation, the next step is typically to choose a specialization. ITIL® 4 offers several specialist certifications, each targeting a specific area within the IT service management lifecycle. AVC offers a wide range of these advanced courses to help you build expertise in various domains of ITIL® 4. Here’s a closer look at some of the key options.

1. ITIL® 4 Specialist: Drive Stakeholder Value (Classroom & eLearning)

One of the most critical aspects of IT service management is creating value for stakeholders. The Drive Stakeholder Value course focuses on managing relationships, delivering customer satisfaction, and building partnerships that foster mutual growth. This course is perfect for IT professionals looking to build strong relationships with customers and stakeholders, ultimately creating more value through collaborative efforts.

Why Take This Course?This course is essential for anyone in service management, customer relations, or business development. It focuses on improving customer engagement and satisfaction, critical factors for any IT service provider. Whether you choose the eLearning or classroom format, you will gain practical skills to manage stakeholder expectations effectively and enhance service delivery.

2. ITIL® 4 Specialist: High Velocity IT (eLearning)

As IT environments become increasingly dynamic, businesses need to be more agile and innovative. The High Velocity IT course teaches professionals how to thrive in fast-paced, digital environments, where speed, flexibility, and continuous delivery are key to success. It’s ideal for those who work in organizations that need to adapt quickly to changing market demands and deliver high-quality IT services at a rapid pace.

Why Take This Course?If your organization is undergoing digital transformation or focusing on DevOps, agile, or continuous delivery practices, this course is a must. It provides you with the knowledge to help your team deliver services more efficiently, with less risk, and higher customer satisfaction in a high-speed environment.

3. ITIL® 4 Specialist: Create, Deliver and Support (Classroom & eLearning)

The Create, Deliver and Support course is designed for those who want to enhance their operational expertise in IT service management. It focuses on the creation, delivery, and ongoing support of IT services. This course covers the entire service lifecycle, from concept to execution, and ensures that services are delivered in a reliable and efficient manner.

Why Take This Course?If you are responsible for service delivery or managing service operations, this course provides the technical and practical knowledge required to improve your organization's service delivery. Whether you choose the classroom or eLearning format, you’ll gain deep insights into service operation and ongoing support, making it a critical course for ITSM professionals.

4. ITIL® 4 Specialist: Monitor, Support and Fulfil (eLearning)

Monitoring, supporting, and fulfilling IT services are crucial aspects of maintaining consistent service delivery. The Monitor, Support, and Fulfil course focuses on how to monitor service performance, address issues, and fulfill service requests efficiently. This course is designed for professionals who are focused on ensuring that IT services meet quality standards and deliver value consistently.

Why Take This Course?This course is highly relevant for professionals in operations, service desk management, or IT support roles. It equips you with the skills to monitor service levels, manage incidents and problems, and fulfill service requests effectively. The eLearning format offers flexibility, making it an excellent option for professionals seeking to expand their operational knowledge.

5. ITIL® 4 Specialist: Acquiring and Managing Cloud Services (eLearning)

As more organizations transition to the cloud, understanding how to manage and acquire cloud services has become an essential skill. The Acquiring and Managing Cloud Services course is designed to help professionals manage cloud services effectively, ensuring that they meet business needs while maintaining service quality. This course addresses topics like vendor management, service-level agreements (SLAs), and cloud governance.

Why Take This Course?For those who are working with or managing cloud services, this course is vital. It covers how to select the right cloud services, negotiate contracts, and manage relationships with cloud service providers. It’s perfect for IT professionals who want to stay ahead in the cloud computing landscape.

ITIL® 4 Strategist Courses: Taking Your Career to the Next Level

If you're looking to move into leadership or strategic roles within IT service management, ITIL® 4 also offers several Strategist certifications. These courses are focused on planning, directing, and improving IT services at a strategic level, helping you become a key player in driving organizational success.

6. ITIL® 4 Strategist: Direct, Plan and Improve (Classroom & eLearning)

The Direct, Plan and Improve (DPI) course is designed for professionals who want to take a strategic role in IT service management. It covers how to drive continuous improvement and how to align service management with business goals. Whether you are in a management position or planning to take on a leadership role, this course will provide you with the skills to lead and improve IT services at an organizational level.

Why Take This Course?For those aspiring to become leaders in IT service management, this course is critical. It provides the tools to implement effective improvement initiatives and align IT with business objectives. It’s ideal for senior IT managers, directors, and anyone looking to drive long-term change in their organization.

7. ITIL® 4 Leader: Digital and IT Strategy (eLearning)

The Digital and IT Strategy course is a leadership-level course that focuses on aligning IT strategy with business objectives, especially in the digital age. The course teaches you how to drive innovation, digital transformation, and business value through the effective use of IT services.

Why Take This Course?If you are looking to take on a senior strategic role or lead digital transformation within your organization, this course is designed for you. It will help you develop and execute IT strategies that not only support but also drive business growth and innovation.

ITIL® 4 Managing Professional: Master’s Program

For those who want to gain a comprehensive understanding of ITIL® 4 and become experts in IT service management, the Managing Professional (MP) Master’s Program offers the most advanced and in-depth training. This program combines multiple ITIL® 4 Specialist and Strategist courses, making it a comprehensive pathway for those aiming to become ITIL® experts.

Why Take This Program?If you are committed to becoming an ITIL® Master and reaching the highest level of IT service management expertise, this program is the best choice. It combines several specialized courses, providing you with a deep and broad understanding of ITIL® 4, and prepares you for leadership roles in any organization.

Conclusions

After completing the ITIL® 4 Foundation, the next step is to choose the right certification based on your career goals. Whether you are interested in a specific area of IT service management, want to move into leadership, or are looking to become an ITIL® expert, there is a course for you.

At AVC, we offer a variety of ITIL® 4 courses to suit all career stages and aspirations. Our expert trainers and flexible learning formats, including classroom and eLearning options, ensure that you have the tools and support you need to succeed.

Visit AVC’s website today to explore our full range of ITIL® 4 certifications and take the next step in your IT service management career.