ITIL 5 Foundation Training and Certification

The ITIL Version 5 Foundation is the official entry point into the ITIL Version 5 certification program and is designed for anyone who wants to develop a structured understanding of modern digital product and service management. The training provides a common language, key ITIL concepts, and a standardized lifecycle for managing digital products and services.

In the ITIL Version 5 Foundation training, participants develop a solid foundational understanding of value creation, collaboration, governance, and continuous improvement within the Service Value System. In this way, the Foundation course establishes a solid foundation for the successful application of ITIL in practice.

The ITIL Version 5 Foundation also serves as the starting point for all advanced certifications in the ITIL Version 5 model. It forms the foundation for the three learning paths—ITIL Practice Manager, ITIL Managing Professional, and ITIL Strategic Leader—each of which leads to a recognized professional designation. Those who successfully complete all three designations achieve the highest level of certification in the ITIL Version 5 system: ITIL Master.

The ITIL Version 5 Foundation training course is suitable for both beginners and professionals and managers who wish to follow a clear, internationally recognized career path in IT service management and digital transformation.

In the ITIL Version 5 Foundation training course, you will gain a solid, practical understanding of modern digital product and service management over the course of two intensive training days. The course teaches you the key concepts, common terminology, and core models of ITIL Version 5, thereby laying the foundation for successful application in your day-to-day work.

Fundamentals of ITIL Version 5

You will learn why ITIL Version 5 is a logical evolution of existing ITIL approaches and how the focus is shifting from pure IT service management to the integrated management of digital products and services. In the process, you will develop a clear understanding of value creation, outcomes, benefits, risks, and costs.

The Unified Digital Product & Service Lifecycle

A key component of the training is the ITIL Product and Service Lifecycle. You will gain an understanding of how digital products and services are managed holistically across all phases—from the initial idea through ongoing operations to continuous improvement. In the process, you will learn how organizations overcome silos and effectively integrate product and service management.

The ITIL Value System

This training course introduces you to the ITIL Value System as a central management model. You will learn about its individual components—including Guiding Principles, Governance, Value Chain, Practices, and Continual Improvement—and understand how they work together to enable consistent, value-oriented management.

Guiding Principles & Practical Application

You will delve deeply into the ITIL Guiding Principles and learn how they can serve as a guide for decision-making, prioritization, and improvements in your day-to-day work. The focus is clearly on practical, experience-driven application rather than on theoretical rules.

Roles, Collaboration, and Organization

Another key focus is on the clearly defined roles, responsibilities, and outcomes in ITIL Version 5. You will understand how collaboration works across teams, departments, and organizations, and how value is created together for customers and users.

Customer & Employee Experience

ITIL Version 5 places particular emphasis on customer experience and employee experience. In this training course, you will learn how to systematically design, measure, and improve these experiences, and why they are a key success factor for digital products and services.

AI-native and forward-looking approach

You will gain a basic understanding of how AI-powered and automated environments are addressed in ITIL Version 5. The focus here is not on technical details, but rather on orientation, decision-making, and responsible management in complex, dynamic environments.

Preparing for the Certification Exam

This training course specifically prepares you for the ITIL Version 5 Foundation exam. You will understand the exam-relevant content, terminology, and concepts, and will be able to confidently apply and contextualize ITIL Version 5.

The ITIL Version 5 Foundation training course is designed for anyone who wants to develop a solid understanding of modern digital product and service management or systematically expand their existing knowledge. It is ideal for beginners as well as for experienced professionals and managers who want to use ITIL Version 5 as a common framework.

This is particularly aimed at employees in IT, service management, product management, and digital departments who are involved in the planning, development, delivery, or operation of digital products and services. Roles at the intersection of IT and business also benefit from the common language and clear models of ITIL Version 5.

The training is equally relevant for specialists and managers who are responsible for governance, organization, processes, or teams and want to understand how to foster value creation, collaboration, and continuous improvement in an increasingly digital and AI-driven environment.

In addition, the ITIL Version 5 Foundation is suitable for:

• Beginners in IT Service Management and Digital Management
• Project, Product, and Service Managers
• Executives, team leaders, and decision-makers
• Consultants and external service providers
• Employees from organizations undergoing a transition to product- and service-oriented work practices

The ITIL Version 5 Foundation training course is therefore the ideal starting point for anyone who wants to gain a comprehensive understanding of digital products and services, manage them effectively, and pursue targeted professional development along the ITIL Version 5 certification path.

The ITIL Version 5 Foundation is the first step in a clearly structured and internationally recognized certification path in digital product and service management. After successfully completing the Foundation, you’ll have several career paths to choose from, all of which can be flexibly tailored to your professional goals, your role, and your area of responsibility.

Getting Started with the ITIL Version 5 Certification Path

With the ITIL Version 5 Foundation certification, you establish the essential foundation for all advanced modules and designations. You will gain a common language, a holistic understanding of value creation, and the core models upon which all other ITIL Version 5 certifications are built.

Three paths of specialization—one clear goal

After completing the Foundation program, you can choose your own personalized learning path:

• ITIL Practice Manager
  For anyone with operational responsibility who wants to apply ITIL practices in a practical way. The focus is on clear roles, stable processes, and continuous improvement in day-to-day operations.
• ITIL Managing Professional
  For professionals and leaders who manage products, services, experience, and transformation holistically. This path strengthens your skills in product- and service-oriented value creation.
• ITIL Strategic Leader
  For decision-makers who want to integrate digital strategy, governance, and transformation and use ITIL as a strategic framework.

A key component of all tracks is the ITIL Transformation module, which needs to be completed only once and counts toward all designations.

The Goal: ITIL Master

Those who successfully complete all three designations—Practice Manager, Managing Professional, and Strategic Leader—achieve the highest qualification level in the ITIL Version 5 certification system: ITIL Master. This designation signifies in-depth expertise, practical experience, and the ability to effectively apply ITIL in complex real-world organizations.

Your Perspective

The ITIL Version 5 Foundation training is therefore not a one-way street, but rather the first step on a long-term development path—from a basic understanding to the strategic design of digital products and services. You decide for yourself how far you want to go and what areas you want to focus on.

You do not need any prior knowledge to take the ITIL Version 5 Foundation course.