ITSM
Home > CIO Definitions - ITSM
SearchCIO.com Definitions (Powered by WhatIs.com)
EMAIL THIS
LOOK UP TECH TERMS Powered by: WhatIs.com
Search listings for thousands of IT terms:
Browse tech terms alphabetically:
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z #

ITSM



Word of the Day
Digg This!    StumbleUpon Toolbar StumbleUpon    Bookmark with Delicious Del.icio.us    Add to Google


DEFINITION -

IT Service Management (ITSM) is a process-based practice intended to align the delivery of information technology (IT) services with needs of the enterprise, emphasizing benefits to customers. ITSM involves a paradigm shift from managing IT as stacks of individual components to focusing on the delivery of end-to-end services using best practice process models. ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library) is a globally recognized collection of best practices for information technology (IT) service management.

ITSM audits are based on analysis of four key performance indicators in specific ways:

  • Growth and value, which involves tracking revenue growth against investment and utilization.
  • Budget adherence, which involves optimizing the use of available funds and avoiding unnecessary expenditures.
  • Risk impact, which involves identifying and evaluating the consequences of risks taken or avoided.
  • Communication effectiveness, which involves examining customer feedback and gauging customer satisfaction and awareness.

A thorough ITSM audit allows enterprise executives and management personnel to determine the status of various processes and identify potential problem areas. In order to function well, ITSM requires in-house expertise. One way to ensure this is to have key individuals within the organization obtain ITIL Foundation certifications regulated by the ITIL Certification Management Board (ICMB). Third-party auditing is another option, although it carries some risk of product bias because outside auditors may have vendor-specific knowledge or preferences.

LAST UPDATED: 04 Aug 2006

Read more about ITSM:
- SearchCIO.com provides links to ITSM updates and resources.
- Maxine Kincora describes the fundamentals of ITSM in the enterprise.
- The official ITIL Web site is a source of complete, up-to-date information about the ITIL model.


Do you have something to add to this definition? Let us know.
Send your comments to techterms@whatis.com


Digg This!    StumbleUpon Toolbar StumbleUpon    Bookmark with Delicious Del.icio.us    Add to Google






Discover CIO solutions related to IT Management, Outsourcing, and Governance
About Us  |  Contact Us  |  For Advertisers  |  For Business Partners  |  Site Index  |  RSS
SEARCH 
TechTarget provides technology professionals with the information they need to perform their jobs - from developing strategy, to making cost-effective purchase decisions and managing their organizations' technology projects - with its network of technology-specific websites, events and online magazines.

TechTarget Corporate Web Site  |  Media Kits  |  Site Map




All Rights Reserved, Copyright 2007 - 2009, TechTarget | Read our Privacy Policy
  TechTarget - The IT Media ROI Experts