Dropping the version number from ITIL will allow it to reclaim its identity as an ever-evolving body of knowledge offering guidance to ITSM practitioners.

That’s the view of Ben Clacy, CEO of itSMF UK, who told ServiceDesk360 that much of the criticism regarding the extensive update of ITIL stems from the feeling that Version 3 was designed to be a definitive version of the framework. “From now on, Version 3 will be known as the 2007 edition, and the rewritten books will be called ITIL 2011. ITIL is an evolutionary body of work and dropping the version number may clarify the idea that it is an ever-changing entity.”

Rewriting the ITIL Version 3 books is necessary for improving clarity of messaging says Clacy, especially in books such as Service Strategy, which drew flack for being abstract, poorly worded and far removed from the core ITIL focus. “The books were criticised for using a lot of management speak and the ideas were too condensed. ITIL 2011 is more consistent, the ideas are aligned and there are more examples and illustrations of key ideas.”

Those concerned that their investment in ITIL training will become void with the arrival of 2011 should not be concerned. “All training and knowledge is still relevant, the new books will just make it easy to understand some of the trickier concepts.”

Clacy also clarified his organisations involvement and control over ITIL. “We have no formal involvement with ITIL, it is owned by OGC (Office of Government Commerce). However, all the people who write the publications are itSMF members. We have 12,000 active members of the ITSM community and we think part of our role is adding a practical layer to the texts.”