I am studying for my ITIL Foundation qualification. This first paragraph from the official study guide strikes fear into my very heart.
“Organisations operating in dynamic environments need to improve their performance and maintain competitive advantage. Adopting best practices in industry-wide use can help to improve capability.”
Straight in with the management speak, no pulling punches here. Ok so I wasn’t expecting it to be a gripping read and I struggle to learn by straight reading, but oh boy this material is so dry I have to keep it away from naked flames.
Though there are many resources on the internet that help to explain it in a way that encourages interest, it is still the dullest material I have ever come across. The ITIL framework is designed to support and integrate IT Service Management into the business environment, describing the key principles and practices as a set of resources and capabilities such as processes, people and technology.
See what I mean?
So how to make it more interesting to learn? I tried substituting the word process (it comes up a lot) with something else that is totally out of context. I chose kitten. Now here is a paragraph as it appears in the study book:
“The process owner role is accountable for ensuring that a process is fit for purpose, i.e. that it is capable of meeting its objectives; that it is performed according to the agreed and documented standard; and that it meets the aims of the process definition. This role may be assigned to the same person carrying out the process manager role.”
Wow, heavy going I hear you say. Now here is the fun version:
“The kitten owner role is accountable for ensuring that a kitten is fit for purpose, i.e. that it is capable of meeting its objectives; that it is performed according to the agreed and documented standard; and that it meets the aims of the kitten definition. This role may be assigned to the same person carrying out the kitten manager role.”
Who wouldn’t want to be a kitten manager? You need to make sure that the kitten is fit for purpose, does it chase a laser pointer dot when presented? Is it a cute ball of fluff that can climb the curtains? Makes writing the kitten definition fun, making sure all the objectives are met. And as a kitten owner, you can be a kitten manager too! It’s just too good to be true.
But alas I cannot procrastinate any longer, I still have dull studying to do, I just wanted to share the tediousness of the material I am trying to learn.
Oh and if for some reason you are wondering what the word ITIL means, it is an acronym – Information Technology Infrastructure Library.
She’s not a kitten, but couldn’t help posting a photo of my study partner.