Q&A: Completed ITIL Foundations, what next?

So, you’ve conquered ITIL 4 Foundation—what’s next on your ITIL adventure?

First off, congratulations Paul! You've taken the first step into the world of service management, and you now speak the language of ITIL fluently enough to impress your colleagues (or confuse them—it’s a fine line). But what’s the next move to level up your ITIL skills and career?

1. Reflect on your goals

Think about where you want to go in your career. Are you a problem-solving hero? Do you love building better processes? Or maybe you’ve got leadership ambitions? Your career goals should guide your next steps—just like the first step in the continual improvement model: What is YOUR vision?

2. Check out ITIL specialist certifications

ITIL 4 offers several advanced paths, depending on your interests. Here’s some examples:

• Create, Deliver, and Support (CDS): Great if you’re all about service delivery and operations.
• Drive Stakeholder Value (DSV): Perfect for those who love keeping customers happy.
• High-Velocity IT (HVIT): Calling all speed demons who thrive on agile, lean, and DevOps!
• Direct, Plan, and Improve (DPI): If strategic thinking is your thing, this is your jam.

For current information on the ITIL certification structure, please visit PeopleCert (link) or contact us.

3. Get practical with your knowledge

Before diving into more certifications, see if there’s a chance to apply your ITIL Foundation knowledge in your current role. Identify areas where ITIL principles can make a difference. For example:

• Can you improve incident management?
• Are your service level agreements collecting dust?
• Could a touch of continual improvement brighten your team’s processes?

4. Explore other frameworks

ITIL plays well with other frameworks. If you’ve got ITIL down, why not expand your horizons with:

• Agile for rapid delivery.
• DevOps for a culture of collaboration.
• COBIT for governance and compliance nerds.

5. Get your team onboard

Knowledge shared is knowledge squared (not scientifically proven, but you get the idea). Encourage your team to explore ITIL, too—it’s a great way to align your organisation's efforts.

6. Consult the experts

Feeling stuck or unsure? Reach out for some expert advice (like us at FTLS!) to map out the best path for you. A little guidance can go a long way in making the most of your ITIL journey.

7. Join an ITSM community

Engage with forums and events where ITIL professionals share real-world experiences. These platforms can inspire your next move and expand your network. Join the FTLS community—drop us a line on our socials to share your thoughts or seek guidance.

Final thought: Enjoy the ride Paul!

ITIL is a journey, not a race. Take your time, explore what excites you, and remember—you’re building a toolkit that’s not just valuable for your career but also for improving how organisations work. Now, what’s your next move?