Finding your ITIL course to be somewhat challenging? Don’t forget to use the ITIL glossary…
While most ITIL training / certification courses are designed to facilitate or streamline the learning process, that doesn’t change the fact that the ITIL itself is a very dense subject to absorb. The simple fact of the matter is that even the most interested, intelligent and intuitive individual will encounter at least a few challenges with regards to the formalized study of ITIL. This is of course, only natural; the ITIL is after all, a representation of the best practices and methods (for application to various IT infrastructure disciplines / duties), with some of the brightest minds in the IT field (of all time) having contributed to its content. Luckily, there is a simple solution for any shortcomings you might have, the ITIL glossary.
Most people assume that the ITIL glossary is unnecessary or merely some form of useless bureaucratic reference; nothing could be further from the truth. Despite the fact the official ITIL glossary is available as a free download; it is extremely useful and valuable. It can be argued that it is an absolutely crucial accessory for those looking to pass their certification exam and / or absorb the inherent concepts of ITI. Even those who seem to have no trouble with digesting the content of their ITIL program should keep their glossary on hand; if for no other reason than to maintain their forward momentum (should any discrepancy arise).
Those who will get the most mileage out of the ITIL glossary will be individuals who are new to ITIL, starting an IT career, or who simply find ITIL to be a confusing topic of study in general. The latest version / edition of the ITIL (the 2011 edition) features a more cohesive design, as well as more balanced use of terminologies across the multiple volumes.
Many have said that ITIL 2011 is not only the superior example of what ITIL can / should be, but that it also truly facilitates the learning process for those seeing certification. In past releases there were discrepancies with regards to the use of various terms and their meanings, the release of ITIL 2011 signifies an end to ambiguous terminology. The 2011 edition truly is the best version out there, especially for those who might be new to ITIL as it features a new system of organization, making it easier than ever before to quickly find what you’re looking for.
When studying, it’s important to remember to never let unknown terms slip by. As you progress through your chosen ITIL program you are essentially building a value chain of knowledge, if you are unable to correctly define certain terms early on, it will cause “weak links” to emerge in your “chain” later on.
This is yet another reason why you should always keep your glossary PDF / hard copy handy, just as a casual reference. It’s also important to note that letting terms escape you will only create a situation whereby you will need to go back and relearn specific sections of your text(s). The most efficient manner of study is to absorb things completely and comprehensively, if possible, on the first run through.
Along with practicing good study habits and remembering to keep your glossary handy, you also need to make sure that you choose a good quality e-learning program. Ideally, your proposed ITIL e-learning course should be able to achieve several things:
- Create a plateau-like learning regimen whereby you learn in steps, with each “step” adding to your understanding of another, or “growing your knowledge base”.
- Portability – your ITIL course should be viewable on virtually any device, including, PC’s, Mac’s, laptops, Netbooks, tablets, and smartphones.
- It should be expertly designed by someone with experience in not only ITIL, but IT management in general. You need to have a course designed by a guru; someone who knows how to facilitate your learning experience in order to maximize your retention / comprehension of the study material(s).
- Online / interactive materials to help you equate what you’re learning with real world situations and realistic career duties.
- Supplementary materials that are specifically designed to help you prepare for your certification test; in other words, post-training course recap / pre-test preparation. It’s also important that these materials be in alignment with the most recent version(s) of any applicable certification examination as well.
- Affordability and long term value – Any e-learning program you engage should also be able to fit into your budget as well as imbue you with valuable knowledge that you can use throughout your career as an IT professional.
If your course(s) doesn’t / can’t achieve the aforementioned, you need to find one that can / does. One of the most highly recommended providers of ITIL certification / training products is theartofservice.com. They can provide you with everything on that list and at prices that are unbelievably affordable; check out their ITIL 2011 –related products here.
Good luck with your current or future ITIL training and certification, and don’t forget to use your glossary!