supercooldude wrote: Wordy? Nah, I couldn't have hoped for a better response. Thanks! And I did kind of expect it to be an "it depends" response because it was like a "MCSE 2003 or 2008" question: Go with what the company you're targeting is hooked on... I think it's difficult to predict how long the market's transition from v2 to v3 will take, as is the case in other areas too, like OSes for example. Many big organizations I know are still using Win2k on their production networks and haven't even bothered switching to 2003/XP because it's simpling still working. If it's not broken, what's to fix right? By the way, here's a link to a nice presentation about the key differences between v2 and v3.http://www.ilxgroup.com/itil-v3-presentation.htm I have a few more questions, if you don't mind. 1) I think I understood the differences highlighted in the above presentation, but how do they look to a v2 Manager such as yourself eMeS? 2) How far are you on your v3 pursuit? and how tough is it? 3) Do you have any information about MOF (Microsoft Operations Framework)? I know it's the microsoft way of doing ITSM, but I mean since you do this for a living, how accepted is it in the market? What kind of reputation does it have? Thanks again for your reply. -- SCD
eMeS wrote: 1) There's a lot of contempt in the freelance/boutique consultant community for v3, because a lot them think there was too much vendor involvement and that it adds too much out of the box help for people, meaning that they won't need consultants. My point of view is exactly the opposite (this is true for most knowledge/certs)...we earn what we earn primarily because many people/organizations are not willing to spend the time to read/learn a body of knowledge and develop the experience to apply and implement it. Either that or, ideally, they are focused on their core business and would rather pay a specialist for such thigns. One major difference that I see is that v3 is much more useful out of the box. They've elaborated on things that were at most only mentioned in v2, and have produced a nice collection of material. The lifecycle model is the big new thing, as well as expanding the number of processes to 27 (depending on whom you ask). Another major difference that I see in v3 vs. v2 is that they have truly setup the education and qualifications scheme to be a huge money maker over the next several years. 2) I take the v3 bridge in early April and the test at the end of the class. I took the v3 Foundation bridge class last week as part of my preparation (although it was not required). Currently I am reading the 5 core books to prepare. I was told that some of the ITIL authors initially failed the v3 manager bridge exam. I have a friend that recently took it and she got a 95%, which means she missed exactly 1 question. I am also told that "tension metrics", if given as an option on a manager bridge question, is always correct. Reading, reading, and more reading is my preparation for the v3 bridge. 3) I do not know of anyone currently using MOF (but that doesn't mean they aren't out there). Nor do I know of any consultants that have expertise in it. I have considered developing some knowledge in it, because at some point some customer will request it....it's always nice to be able to answer those kinds of questions with a "yes, I'm experience in it" as opposed to trying to explain why it is no different than ITIL. A lack of time has kept me away from it, but I have heard that the material is very similar to ITIL Foundation. As far as acceptance/reputation...it's hard to say because I just haven't seen any demand for it....Let me know if you pursue it... MS
eMeS wrote: Sounds like a good plan! One of the most overlooked study aids for ITIL Foundation, which happens to also be free, is the official glossary. V2 and v3 glossaries are available at:http://www.best-management-practice.com/officialsite.asp?FO=1230366&action=confirmation&tdi=575004 MS
