What are the key differences between ITIL 4 vs ITIL (Version 5)?
ITIL (Version 5) helps organisations manage digital products, services, customer experiences, and end-to-end digital operations in a structured, future-ready framework.
- AI-native & digital-first: Built for AI-driven, fast-paced organisations, with governance designed to be AI-ready from the start.
- End-to-end product and service lifecycle: Extends traditional ITIL to fully support Digital Product & Service Management.
- Customer-centric focus: Emphasizes transparency, measurable value, and improved experiences across stakeholders.
- Practical, flexible guidance: More actionable and adaptable for real-world adoption, less abstract, more dynamic.
- Role-aligned clarity: More targeted guidance tailored to specific roles and responsibilities for faster implementation.
- Backward compatible: Protects existing ITIL investments while supporting modern updates and practices.
One unified product & service lifecycle (what this means in practice)
Many organisations treat products and services separately, which can create gaps in delivery speed, reliability, and customer experience. But in reality:
- Products are what organisations build
- Services are how value is delivered and supported
Digital products and services are two sides of the same solution. ITIL (Version 5) unifies them into a single lifecycle, enabling teams to
- Design together
- Build and launch together
- Operate and improve together
With a unified lifecycle, organisations can achieve faster delivery, fewer gaps, better customer experiences, and stronger business outcomes.
What hasn't changed from ITIL 4 to ITIL (Version 5)
- ITIL Guiding Principles: Core principles continue to guide decision-making and best practices across IT service activities.
- Four Dimensions of Service Management: The holistic approach covering organizations, people, information, technology, partners, and processes remains intact.
- ITIL Service Value System (SVS): The SVS still supports value co-creation across IT service management activities.
- ITIL Practices (34): All 34 practices remain, with only minor terminology updates to reflect modern approaches.
- ITIL Foundation as the entry point: Foundation remains the starting point for certifications and learning paths.
- Global trust, scale, and recognition: ITIL’s worldwide credibility and adoption remain unchanged.
ITIL Qualification Scheme
The ITIL (Version 5) qualification scheme has nine core modules and one extension module. ITIL Foundation is the beginning course and the certification is a pre-requisite for the eight advanced modules.
There are three learning streams, each leading to a professional designation:
- ITIL Practice Manager (Version 5)
- ITIL Managing Professional (Version 5)
- ITIL Strategic Leader (Version 5)
Completing the modules within each stream, corresponds to achieving the designation. Professionals who complete all three designations are awarded the highest level of recognition: ITIL Master.
Are you ITIL 4 certified? Options to transition to ITIL (Version 5)
If you hold ITIL 4 certifications, the pathways are designed to respect recent investments and provide structured bridging where needed.
If you are ITIL 4 Foundation certified:
- Entry point: Valid as a prerequisite for ITIL (Version 5) advanced modules
- Transition option: Complete and certify in any of the ITIL (Version) Advanced courses. Your ITIL 4 Foundation certification meets the pre-requisite.
If you are an ITIL 4 Practice Manager
- Entry point: Complete the ITIL Transformation course to become an ITIL Practice Manager (Version 5)
- Transition option: Structured transition path using the designated transition module and assessment; respects recent investments
If you are an ITIL 4 Managing Professional
- Entry point: Complete the Managing Professional Transition (MPT) course and exam to become an ITIL Managing Professional (Version 5)
- Transition option: Covers new and updated content in Product, Service, Experience, and Transformation; two exams focus on the changes
If you are an ITIL 4 Strategic Leader
- Entry point: Complete the ITIL Transformation course to become an ITIL Strategic Leader (Version 5)
- Transition option: Structured transition path using the designated transition module and assessment; respects existing investments
Are you an ITIL 4 Master?
- Entry point: Complete the Managing Professional Transition (MPT) course and exam to become an ITIL Master (Version 5)
- Transition option: Covers new and updated content in Product, Service, Experience, and Transformation; two exams focus on the changes
Important note for ITIL 4 candidates: ITIL (Version 5) is an evolution and existing certifications retain value. Transition guidance is subject to confirmation following testing.
Transitioning from ITIL v3 to ITIL (Version 5)
If your background is ITIL v3, the recommended approach is straightforward: in most cases, you begin with ITIL (Version 5) Foundation to cover new topics and align to the updated framework.
ITIL v3 Foundation
- Entry point: Complete the ITIL (Version 5) Foundation course
- Transition option: Start with ITIL (Version 5) Foundation (recommended to cover new topics)
ITIL v3 Intermediate or Capability (1–4 modules)
- Entry point: Complete the ITIL (Version 5) Foundation course
- Transition option: Start with ITIL (Version 5) Foundation (recommended path forward)
ITIL Expert (v3)
- Under review, more information to follow for this pathway.
ITIL Master (v3)
- Under review, more information to follow for this pathway.
How to choose the right pathway
· If you’re ITIL 4 Foundation: you can typically use it as a prerequisite for Version 5 advanced modules.
· If you’re ITIL 4 Practice Manager or Strategic Leader: look for the ITIL Transformation transition option with a designated module and assessment.
· If you’re ITIL 4 Managing Professional or Master: expect a Managing Professional Transition (MPT) route, focused specifically on what’s changed.
· If you’re ITIL v3 (Foundation through Intermediate/Capability): plan on ITIL (Version 5) Foundation as your clean starting point.
Final reminder
The big takeaway is continuity: ITIL (Version 5) builds on what candidates already know, while adding practical, experience-led guidance and AI readiness. As details are confirmed following testing, the best next step is to align your current certification level to the pathway above and plan your next credential accordingly.
Reach out to the ITSM Hub for further guidance and information on your options and pathway.
