Have you achieved the benefits that you anticipated when you started your initiative to adopt ITIL®? If so, then good for you. Congratulations! Or have you lowered your expectations, after 5, 10, or 15 plus years of herding cats? Or, maybe, you have shifted the goal posts? In case you can relate to this, then get ready to infuse your ITIL efforts with lean FitSM for genuine targeted results.
Plus Size ITIL
If your organization is considered a large, multinational, Fortune® something conglomerate, you probably have no issues with another plus size version of ITIL. And please do not get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with ITIL 4. Or v3, or v3 minus. Obviously, ITIL has been rich in information. As well as in guidance since its inception in the late 80s. Undoubtedly, numerous organizations around the globe have benefited from it. And still do.
If your organization is of lesser size however, you probably have been looking for ways to wrap your arms around ITIL. How can I trim back this jungle to a lean and manicured yard? Without a doubt, it was so easy when all we had to focus on was a blue book and a red book in ITIL’s 2nd edition. With only 10 processes and a service desk function.
Clearly, that is history. ITIL 4 has 34 practices. In addition to this, a set of books with helpful guidance on what it takes to adopt and adept these service management practices in today’s digital age. Definitely, plus size.
Lean ITIL?
If plus size does not appeal to you, or after much time and resources spent, you are ready for lean ITIL or lean service management, then there is hope for you. Infuse your ITIL efforts with lean FitSM for genuine targeted results.
In other words, start with establishing the bare minimum. Build a service management system that is based on FitSM requirements. 88 to be precise. Or, in other words, you have 88 to-dos or targets. As a result, you will experience the early signs of a service culture. A culture that is ready to become more value focused.
What is FitSM?
Well, FitSM stands for fit service management. A lightweight service management standard. Meeting its 85 requirements results into putting in place a service management system, or SMS. One that lends itself to build upon or expand on. With the help of additional recommendations from ITIL, IT4IT, or COBIT. As well as with additional requirements from ISO/IEC 20000-1, or ISO/IEC 27001, or other ISO standards such as ISO 22301.
Why FitSM?
Without a doubt, FitSM keeps you focused on the prize. A prize that you were promised when you first learned about service management. More efficiencies. More effectiveness. Process and workflow automation with the help of integrated tools and technology. Etcetera.
A prize that not only is won in the operational arena of your endeavors. In addition, also one, that is realized at tactical and even strategic levels in your organization. Do you like the sound of that?
What is the Secret Sauce?
Answer. Just like ITIL 4 and many ISO standards, FitSM embraces a system approach. A management system approach, rather. That means, that you establish an interlocked set of a practices. 85 interlocked practices that result in a service management system. Consequently, a system that is the rock-solid foundation of your home. The service provider’s home to be precise.
The FitSM standard is comprised of organizational and management responsibilities for which FitSM has 16 requirements. As well as 16 bare essential processes, for which it has the remaining 69 requirements.
Targeted Genuine Results
Meeting the 88 requirements of FitSM is your target. However, it is not about meeting these FitSM requirements. FitSM is just a lean energy-efficient vehicle that “gets you there” faster. Where you decide, what “gets you there” means to you. Efficiency gains. Effectiveness gains. Improved collaboration. Fewer walls, silos, and gaps. A service-oriented culture. Proactive behaviors. You name it.
The SMS of FitSM is established with the help of Deming’s Plan-Do-Check-Act model. This means your targeted results are to be measurable. Measurable against your service management goals. Your “there” of “gets you there”. And therefore genuine.
Start Infusing ITIL
So how do I get my hands on FitSM? Simply visit www.fitsm.eu.
And what does it cost? Nothing! FitSM is free. Visit the website. Then you place your cursor on FitSM Standard. Next you click on Downloads. And then you download all the documents. Subsequently, you start with the free assessment. And if you cannot affirm every question of the assessment, it is time to infuse your ITIL endeavor with FitSM.
That means, you follow its implementation guidance. Along with adopting its role guides, its recommendations, its vocabulary, etc. Hence, you achieve your genuine targeted results faster.
So do I still need ITIL then? Sure. It obviously has lots of additional guidance for each of the 14 FitSM processes. Nonetheless, never get side-tracked. Definitely, stay the FitSM course. Stick with meeting the 88 requirements first. And after that, make your “service management home” look prettier and roomier. With ITIL, ISO/IEC 20000, etc.
Where do I Infuse ITIL with FitSM?
The table below shows how FitSM and ITIL 4 align. Use it as you see fit. And when needed. However, use FitSM as your starting point. Subsequently, expand with ITIL, or ISO/IEC 20000, only if absolutely needed.
Note that PR is short for process requirement. And GR is short for general requirement.
FitSM | ITIL® 4 |
Service Portfolio Management (PR1) | Portfolio Management Project Management Strategy Management |
Service Level Management (PR2) | Service Level Management and Service Catalog Management |
Service Reporting Management (PR3) | Measurement and Reporting Management |
Service Availability and Continuity Management (PR4) | Availability Management Service Continuity Management |
Capacity Management (PR5) | Capacity and Performance Management Monitoring and Event Management |
Information Security Management (PR6) | Information Security Management Service Request Management |
Customer Relationship Management (PR7) | Relationship Management |
Supplier Relationship Management (PR8) | Supplier Management |
Incident and Service Request Management (PR9) | Incident Management Service Request Management |
Problem Management (PR10) | Problem Management |
Configuration Management (PR11) | Service Configuration Management IT Asset Management |
Change Management (PR12) | Change Enablement |
Release and Deployment Management (PR13) | Release Management Service Validation and Testing Deployment Management |
Continual Service Improvement Management (PR14) | Continual Improvement |
Top Management Commitment & Responsibility (GR1) | Direct, Plan and Improve |
Documentation (GR2) | Knowledge Management |
Defining the scope of the SMS (GR3) | Direct, Plan and Improve |
Planning Service Management (Plan) (GR4) | Direct, Plan and Improve Create, Deliver and Support |
Implementing Service Management (Do) (GR5) | Create, Deliver and Support |
Monitoring and Reviewing Service Management (Check) (GR6) | Drive Shareholder Value |
Continually Improving Service Management (Act) (GR7) | Drive Shareholder Value Continual Improvement |
Get FitSM Certified and Start Infusing!
Adding FitSM to your ITIL mix pays off quickly. A significant number of organizations can already attest to that. Obviously, a FitSM certification course expedites this effort. Speaking of being lightweight, it takes only one day of certification training to become FitSM Foundation certified. And only an additional two days of training when seeking an advanced level of certification.
ITEMO, the non-profit organization which owns FitSM, has teamed up with APMG International, a reputable global accreditation and examination institute, to develop a certification scheme that is shown below. INTERPROM, is a training organization that is accredited to teach FitSM and provides all courses.
Call to Action
In conclusion, has this article sparked your interest? Moreover, would you like to learn more about FitSM? Then consider the following options.
- First, have INTERPROM conduct a free FitSM Executive Brief and spread the word of infusing your ITIL adoption with FitSM
- Also, Follow the link that was provided early in this article and download the documents of the free FitSM standard.
- Additionally, participate in one of INTERPROM’s 1-day FitSM Foundation certification training courses.
- Furthermore, conduct the self-assessment of FitSM to raise awareness and/or identify gaps in your service management practices. Alternatively, have INTERPROM conduct it for you.
- Finally, allow us to coach your key players of the service management program or your process and service owners during the journey of improving service management