Understanding the evolution of ITIL
A confident step forward for the ITIL community
The new ITIL builds on everything professionals already value in ITIL, evolving the framework to reflect today’s digital, product‑centric, and AI‑enabled reality. Existing knowledge, experience, and certifications remain fully relevant as part of this evolution.
If you are already certified or familiar with ITIL, this is not a reset. Your existing knowledge and experience remain valuable as ITIL evolves, making this a natural next step that allows you to move forward with confidence, when and how it makes sense for you.
The key innovations in New ITIL
The new ITIL evolves to match today’s AI‑driven, fast‑changing environment. It provides practical, role‑relevant guidance in digital product and service management that helps professionals and organizations deliver measurable value with consistency.
Modern, integrated, and comprehensive
ITIL (Version 5) provides guidance that works across the entire organization, from leadership and strategy to day‑to‑day operations. It helps teams collaborate more effectively, align priorities, and create value consistently in both stable and rapidly changing environments.
AI‑native and practical by design
ITIL (Version 5) supports professionals working in AI‑enabled contexts. It provides clear, practical guidance for adapting ways of working, making informed decisions, and responding to change as technology, business needs, and customer expectations evolve.
End‑to‑end lifecycle for digital products and services
Digital experience is a core focus in ITIL (Version 5). The framework helps teams design, deliver, and improve digital products and services with greater visibility, stronger collaboration, and a clearer understanding of how different stakeholders experience value.
Why the new ITIL
A new digital landscape
The digital landscape has changed dramatically. Organizations must operate faster, smarter, and with greater flexibility, particularly as AI reshapes how work is designed, delivered, and governed.
Digital‑first business models
Modern organizations are increasingly digital‑first and product‑centric. While earlier versions of ITIL focused primarily on service management, today’s organizations manage integrated products and services that require updated, holistic guidance.
The AI revolution
AI and automation are transforming operations across industries. The new ITIL is AI‑native by design, helping organizations adopt and scale AI responsibly while maintaining trust, transparency, and control.
Greater adaptability
Organizations need frameworks that support agility and rapid change. ITIL evolves to enable adaptive, outcome‑focused practices aligned with real‑world operating needs.
Stronger interconnection and value focus
Achieving measurable value is essential. The new ITIL strengthens the connection between people, practices, and technology to support sustainable business outcomes.
A simpler, clearer qualification scheme
The new ITIL introduces a simpler, more streamlined qualification structure, designed to support progressive learning as professionals develop their capability over time.
ITIL Foundation remains the entry point, while advanced modules build role-relevant capability across different levels of responsibility. The updated scheme also reflects a stronger focus on transformation and the responsible adoption of AI, in line with how organizations operate today.
Carry on from where you are
Your existing ITIL knowledge and certifications continue to hold their value as ITIL evolves. ITIL (Version 5) is being introduced through a gradual, phased release, with new modules and learning options introduced over time. In the meantime, ITIL 4 remains available for those who wish to continue their current certification journey.
To support the wider ITIL community, we’ve brought together detailed answers to the most common questions about learning paths, transition options, and certification continuity below.