I just read the IT Skeptic’s post about how APGM is raising the limit of students for an ITIL v3 intermediate course from 12 to 18.  The IT Skeptic makes a very good argument in his blog about how this is degrading ITIL standards and will only hurt the industry (http://www.itskeptic.org/apmg-further-degrade-standards-itil-v3-certificati).  I couldn’t agree with the author more on this point and to be honest, I’m a little depressed that I’m now just starting in ITIL and I’ll be receiving my certification in v3 and not v2 just for the sheer fact that the v2 testing standards are much more difficult and the answers require an explanation as opposed to just choosing from “A,B,C, etc.”  I’m certainly not against making the test easier since I’ll be taking those tests, but with easier requirements comes an increase in likeliness that a bunch of yahoos will be going into ITIL so it looks good on their resumes.  Since I’m someone that truly likes the framework and loves learning the material and how it can be applied to I.T., it’s degrading to be part of an “ITIL Generation” that doesn’t have a weed out system.  And I’m not talking about an intelligence filter, but something that helps to keep unmotivated and close-minded people out of ITIL, because the people that take the Intermediate courses should be those that want to see a change for the better and not just because they want to add another line to their resumes or their job requires them to take a certification course.  For my long-term goals this means I have to possibly contend with people that have advanced certifications in ITIl v3 but don’t truly have an understanding on how it can be applied or how it can change an organization for the better.

And what about the short term impact of this change?  For me, it doesn’t matter.  I’m learning something new about ITIL each day and this knowledge will only help me in my current job and organization.  So ultimately the change may mean less competent people will have advanced ITIL certifications, but it doesn’t mean I have to join the ranks of the incompetent.  After all, what do you call the bottom ranking student in medical school?  The answer is “doctor.”

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Started working in IT in 1999 as a support desk analyst as a way to help pay for food during college. Studied Electrical Engineering for two years before realizing biochemistry was more fun than differential equations, and so ultimately graduated with a Biology degree in 2006. Having (reluctantly) failed at getting accepted into dental school, embraced working in IT and has gone broke becoming an ITIL Expert. Likes to jog, sing camp songs, quote Mel Brooks movie lines and make dumb jokes and loves working for an Israeli tech company where December 25th is a regular work day.