ITIL^® Version 5 Foundation Training and Certification

ITIL Version 5 Foundation is the official entry point into the ITIL Version 5 qualification scheme and is aimed at anyone who wants to build a structured understanding of modern digital product and service management. The training course teaches a common language, key ITIL concepts, and a uniform lifecycle for managing digital products and services.

In ITIL Version 5 Foundation Training, participants develop a solid basic understanding of value creation, collaboration, governance, and continuous improvement within the service value system. The Foundation thus creates a robust basis for the successful application of ITIL in practice.

ITIL Version 5 Foundation also forms the starting point for all further qualifications in the ITIL Version 5 model. It forms the basis 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 ITIL Master, the highest qualification level in the ITIL Version 5 system.

The ITIL Version 5 Foundation training course is suitable for both beginners and specialists and managers who want to pursue a clear, internationally recognized development path in IT service management and digital transformation.

In the ITIL Version 5 Foundation training course, you will gain a sound and practical understanding of modern digital product and service management within two intensive training days. The training course teaches you the central mindset, common terms, and core models of ITIL Version 5, thus laying the foundation for successful application in your everyday professional life.

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 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 and service lifecycle

A central component of the training is the ITIL Product and Service Lifecycle. You will understand how digital products and services are managed holistically across all phases—from the initial idea to ongoing operation and continuous improvement. You will learn how organizations overcome silos and integrate product and service management in a meaningful way.

The ITIL Value System

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

Guiding Principles & Practical Application

You will take an in-depth look at the ITIL Guiding Principles and learn how they can serve as a guide for decisions, prioritization, and improvements in everyday life. The focus is clearly on practical, experience-driven application rather than theoretical knowledge of rules.

Roles, collaboration, and organization

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

Customer and Employee Experience

ITIL Version 5 places particular emphasis on customer experience and employee experience. In this training course, you will learn how experiences can be systematically designed, measured, and improved, and why they are a key success factor for digital products and services.

AI-native and future-oriented orientation

You will gain a fundamental understanding of how AI-supported and automated environments are taken into account in ITIL Version 5. The focus is not on technical details, but on orientation, decision-making ability, and responsible control in complex, dynamic environments.

Preparation for the certification exam

The training course prepares you specifically for the ITIL Version 5 Foundation exam. You will understand the exam-relevant content, terms, and contexts and will be able to confidently classify and apply ITIL Version 5.

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

This is particularly relevant for employees in IT, service management, product management, and digital departments who are involved in the planning, development, provision, or operation of digital products and services. Roles at the interface between 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 value creation, collaboration, and continuous improvement can be achieved in an increasingly digital and AI-supported environment.

In addition, 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 transitioning to product- and service-oriented ways of working

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 develop their skills in a targeted manner along the ITIL Version 5 qualification path.

ITIL Version 5 Foundation is the first step in a clearly structured and internationally recognized qualification path in digital product and service management. After successfully completing the Foundation, several development paths are open to you, which can be flexibly tailored to your professional goals, your role, and your area of responsibility.

Getting started with the ITIL Version 5 qualification path

With ITIL Version 5 Foundation, you'll get the essential foundation for all the other modules and designations. You'll pick up a common language, a holistic understanding of value creation, and the core models that all other ITIL Version 5 qualifications are built on.

Three specialization paths – one clear goal

After completing the Foundation, you can choose your personal learning path:

• ITIL Practice Manager
  For anyone with operational responsibilities 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 business.
• ITIL Managing Professional
  For specialists and managers who holistically manage products, services, experience, and transformation. This path strengthens your skills in product- and service-oriented value creation.
• ITIL Strategic Leader
  For decision-makers who want to combine digital strategy, governance, and transformation and use ITIL as a strategic orientation framework.

A central element of all paths is the ITIL Transformation module, which only needs to be completed 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 ITIL Master, the highest level of qualification in the ITIL Version 5 qualification system. This distinction represents deep expertise, practical experience, and the ability to effectively apply ITIL in complex real-world organizations.

Your perspective

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

You do not need any prior knowledge to participate in ITIL Version 5 Foundation.