OpenSM vs ITIL: Your IT Certification Choice

We are standing at a crossroads in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. To our left stretches a well-paved highway, marked with clear signposts and traveled by countless IT professionals before you. This is the ITIL® path – tested, trusted, and backed by decades of industry experience.

To our right winds a newer road, perhaps less traveled but built with modern materials and flexible enough to adapt to changing terrain. This is the Open SM™ route – agile, community-driven, and designed for the digital age.

Like any journey worth taking, choosing a certification path isn't just about reaching a destination – it's about ensuring we're equipped with the right knowledge and credentials for the road ahead. In today's fast-paced IT world, making the right choice between these two paths could mean the difference between leading the pack and playing catch-up in our careers.

But before we lace up our boots and commit to either path, let's illuminate both routes so we can make an informed decision about which certification journey aligns best with your career aspirations and your organizations needs.

The ITIL® (Information Technology Infrastructure Library) certification is a globally recognized qualification scheme owned by Axelos Limited. The certification program provides professionals with comprehensive training in IT service management practices and principles. The current version, ITIL® 4, offers a modernized certification scheme that aligns with contemporary digital service management needs.

• ITIL® 4 Foundation
• ITIL® 4 Managing Professional (MP) transition module
• ITIL® 4 Strategic Leader (SL) modules
• ITIL® Master designation

Each level builds upon the previous, offering increasingly sophisticated knowledge and skills in service management practices.

Open SM™ (Open Service Management) certification is a community-driven qualification program that focuses on modern, agile approaches to service management. The certification is designed to equip professionals with practical knowledge of contemporary service management practices, emphasizing flexibility and adaptation to changing business needs.

• Open SM™ Foundation
• Open SM™ Practitioner
• Open SM™ Expert
• Open SM™ Master

1. Certification Structure and Progression

• ITIL® offers a more rigid, hierarchical certification path
• Open SM™ provides flexible learning paths with fewer prerequisites

2. Cost and Accessibility

• ITIL® certification involves higher examination and training costs
• Open SM™ offers more affordable certification options with community-supported resources

3. Recognition and Market Presence

• ITIL® is widely recognized globally and often required by employers
• Open SM™ is gaining traction, particularly in organizations adopting agile practices

4. Training Approach

• ITIL® focuses on comprehensive theoretical knowledge with practical applications
• Open SM™ emphasizes hands-on experience and real-world implementation

ITIL® Certification is ideal for:

• Professionals in traditional IT organizations
• Those seeking widely recognized credentials
• Individuals working in regulated industries

Open SM™ Certification suits:

• Professionals in agile organizations
• Those seeking modern service management approaches
• Individuals in organizations undergoing digital transformation

1. Time Investment:

• ITIL®: Longer preparation time, structured learning path
• Open SM™: Flexible learning schedule, faster completion possible

2. Financial Investment:

• ITIL®: Higher initial and ongoing costs
• Open SM™: Lower certification costs, more self-study options

3. Career Impact:

• ITIL®: Strong traditional career advancement opportunities
• Open SM™: Growing recognition in modern IT environments

Standing at our initial crossroads, we now see that these paths aren't as divergent as they first appeared. Like a seasoned traveller choosing between an established railway network and an emerging electric vehicle infrastructure, both can take us to our destination – but the journey and experience will differ significantly.

The ITIL® railway offers scheduled departures, well-maintained stations, and a vast network of connections built over decades. It's reliable, predictable, and comes with the comfort of knowing countless others have successfully made the same journey. The tracks are firmly laid, the route is clear, and the conductors (certified trainers) are extensively trained.

The Open SM™ electric vehicle route, while newer, offers the flexibility to explore emerging paths and adapt the journey as the landscape changes. It's like having a cutting-edge navigation system that updates in real-time, allowing us to avoid obstacles and discover more efficient routes. The vehicle might require more hands-on control, but it also gives the freedom to choose our pace and path.

Your choice between these two journeys should consider:

• Your starting point (current role and experience)
• Your desired destination (career goals)
• Available resources (time and budget)
• Preferred ‘traveling’ style (structured or flexible learning)
• The terrain ahead (your organization's technology landscape)

Remember, in today's dynamic IT environment, many successful professionals carry multiple maps – combining the comprehensive knowledge of ITIL® with the agile approach of Open SM™. Sometimes the best journey isn't about choosing one path exclusively, but knowing how to navigate both highways and scenic routes to reach your destination most effectively.