The ITIL V4 Foundation is an entry-level certification in the field of IT service management that focuses on the guiding principles and service value system of ITIL V4.

1. Introduction to the ITIL V4 Foundation certification

The ITIL V4 Foundation Exam is the entry-level foundation exam for the ITIL V4 service management certification system launched by the UK Department of Commerce's Digital, Data and Technology Centre. It is also the core authoritative entry credential for entering the field of IT Service Management (ITSM).

ITIL is the most mainstream and widely used IT service management framework globally, with V4 version integrating agile DevOps、Lean and other modern management concepts focus on "value driven" IT service management, while the Foundation exam aims to verify candidates' basic understanding of ITIL V4 core concepts, guiding principles, and service value systems, help candidates establish standardized IT service management thinking, and lay a solid foundation for subsequent ITIL V4 high-level certification.

The core positioning of ITIL V4 Foundation is "the fundamental validation of standardized thinking in IT service management." Different from the practical application and strategic planning capabilities of ITIL V4 high-level certification, the Foundation exam does not involve complex practical implementation. The core focus is on theoretical cognition and framework understanding: candidates are required to master the core terminology, 7 guiding principles, service value system, value chain and other underlying frameworks of ITIL V4, understand how IT services create value for business, and how standardized IT service management thinking can solve problems such as IT and business disconnection and low service efficiency in enterprises.

The core goal of the ITIL V4 Foundation Exam is to enable candidates to break free from the mindset of "pure technical operations" and establish a core understanding of "IT services empowering business". This is also the core of ITIL V4, laying a unified theoretical foundation for applying ITIL methods in practical work and obtaining advanced certifications in the future.

2. Why Earn Your ITIL V4 Foundation Certification?

ITIL is the most authoritative and widely used IT service management framework globally, recognized by enterprises in over 180 countries and regions. More than 80% of Fortune 500 companies use ITIL methods to manage IT services; As an entry-level certification, ITIL V4 Foundation is the basic screening criterion for companies to recruit ITSM related positions, and it is the "stepping stone" to enter the field of standardized IT service management.

During the preparation process, candidates will systematically master the core framework and guiding principles of ITIL V4, break away from "pure technical thinking," and establish a core understanding of "IT services creating value for business." This is the key to the transformation of IT practitioners from "technical execution" to "management thinking," which can effectively solve common problems such as disconnection between IT and business, slow service response, and chaotic processes in enterprises.

As an entry-level certification, ITIL V4 Foundation has no application threshold, short preparation period, and lifelong validity of certificates. Its investment cost is much lower than that of intermediate and high-level certifications, but it can significantly enhance the employment competitiveness of IT service management related positions, making it the preferred choice for IT practitioners to "enhance professional value at low cost."

After passing the Foundation, one can directly connect to the ITIL V4 MP/SL advanced certification and become a high-level ITSM management talent in the enterprise; At the same time, you can join the AXELOS global ITIL community to access the latest ITSM industry trends, practical cases, and research reports, expand your industry network, and connect with high-quality career opportunities.

One of the core requirements for the current digital transformation of enterprises is the deep integration of IT services and business, and ITIL V4 is based on "value driven" and integrates agile DevOps、By mastering modern management concepts such as lean and the basic thinking of ITIL V4, one can better adapt to the IT service management needs of enterprise digital transformation and become a core participant in enterprise digital transformation.

3. Overview of the ITIL V4 Foundation Certification

ITIL® 4 Foundation certification is the most widely recognized entry-level certification in the global IT Service Management (ITSM) field, serving as the industry standard starting point for understanding and applying best practices in IT service management.

Unlike cutting-edge certifications that focus on specific technologies, the core of ITIL 4 is to provide a value oriented service management mindset that embraces modern agile and lean methods.

The content of this certification strictly follows the official AXELOS outline. The certification begins with reshaping the core concepts of service management, emphasizing that the essence of IT services is to "co create value" for customers. The soul of this concept is reflected in the seven guiding principles of ITIL, which are the fundamental guidelines that guide all service management activities.

The service value system is the overall framework of ITIL 4, and the service value chain describes the dynamic workflow from requirements to value delivery.

The core practice module of ITIL introduces 34 management practices, which are specific "tools" for realizing value, but the focus of learning is on understanding their goals and scenarios, rather than rote memorization of process steps.Finally, the governance, risk management, and continuous improvement modules ensure that service management activities are always aligned with organizational strategy and can be continuously optimized.

4. What are the requirements to be an ITIL V4 Foundation certification holder?

(1) Qualification prerequisites:

The ITIL 4 Foundation Certificate in IT Service Management certification exam does not have any mandatory educational or work experience requirements, and is a pure entry-level certification suitable for people with zero foundation to apply for.

We recommend that you have a basic understanding of the IT industry or about 1 year of work experience in IT/enterprise services to better understand the exam scenarios.

(2) Training and examinations:

ITIL-4-Foundation consists of 40 Single choice question questions, including about 10-15 scenario analysis questions, and the rest are concept questions. The exam lasts for 60 minutes, including 5 minutes of pre exam instructions.

ITIL-4-Foundation has a maximum score of 40 points, and a score of 35 or above is considered passed. There is no fixed pass rate based on the globally standardized scoring criteria. The exam fee is approximately $250-300, including exam and certificate fees, with no additional charges.

(3) Qualification maintenance:

The ITIL-4-Foundation certificate is valid for life without any renewal requirements or the need to accumulate continuing education credits, making it one of the few IT certifications that is valid for life.

After passing the Foundation, you can directly apply for the advanced certification path of ITIL V4 without any other prerequisites.

5. Comparable Certifications to ITIL V4 Foundation Certification

• AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner (CLF-C02)
• CompTIA ITF+ (FC0-U61)
• Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)
• COBIT 2019 Foundation