If you’re short on time and want to know the key differences between ITIL (Version 5) and ITIL 4, this ITIL (Version 5) Changes Explained article is for you.
There’s no (well, maybe a little) explanation of why things have changed between ITIL 4 and ITIL (Version 5), just a quick statement of what has changed.
If you want to know why things have changed, I call out Stuart Rance’s ITIL (Version 5) blog at the end. Plus, Roman Jouralev has written this piece for ITSM.tools: https://itsm.tools/itil-version-5-explained-key-changes-lifecycle-ai-governance/
ITIL (Version 5) Overview: What Has Changed?
What follows is taken from a pre-release copy of the ITIL Foundation Version 5 publication.
ITIL 5 Naming and Positioning Changes
- The new version of ITIL is officially called “ITIL.” The name ITIL (Version 5) is merely to differentiate it from previous versions.
- ITIL (Version 5) talks to Industry 5.0, whereas ITIL 4 called out the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
- The Foundation book (thankfully) states that ITIL no longer stands for “IT Infrastructure Library.”
- ITIL is now described as: “a framework and best practice guidance for digital product and service management.”
- The change above, means that there are some new names, such as the ITIL Product and Service Lifecycle Model and the ITIL Value System (called the ITIL Service Value System in ITIL 4)
ITIL (Version 5) Publications and Certification Updates
- There’s a new ITIL Foundation publication (and exam). It’s called ITIL Foundation Version 5 in its title and ITIL Foundation (Version 5) within it.
- There are new ITIL qualifications (in addition to Foundation); the names of the four core qualifications will be familiar from ITIL 4: ITIL Practice Manager (Version 5), ITIL Managing Professional (Version 5), ITIL Strategic Leader (Version 5), and ITIL Master (Version 5).
- There are four new “core” ITIL books (in addition to the ITIL Foundation publication): ITIL Strategy (Version 5), ITIL Product (Version 5), ITIL Service (Version 5), and ITIL Experience (Version 5).
- There are two additional books: ITIL Transformation (Version 5) and ITIL AI Governance (Version 5).
- There is also a separate ITIL qualification related to AI governance.
ITIL Four Dimensions of Product and Service Management
- There is now the ITIL Four Dimensions of Product and Service Management that “collectively are critical to the effective and efficient facilitation of value for customers and other stakeholders in the form of products and services.” The Four Dimensions diagram in ITIL (Version 5) is different from that in ITIL 4, but the changes aren’t significant.
- The Organizations and people dimension of ITIL Four Dimensions of Product and Service Management includes a section called: Organizations, people and AI.
- The Information and technology dimension introduces the ITIL AI Capability Model (the 6C model of creation, curation, clarification, cognition, communication, and coordination).
ITIL Value System
- The newly named ITIL Value System has similar components to the Service Value System in ITIL 4: Guiding principles, Governance, Value chain, Practices (although still called management practices in the main text), and Continual improvement. However, it is visualized differently in ITIL (Version 5).
- The ITIL Service Relationship Model and ITIL Product and Service Lifecycle Model are new. The components of the latter are also called the ITIL Value Chain in the ITIL Value System (and replace the Service Value Chain in ITIL 4).
- Chapter 3 of the Foundation publication splits between service and digital products (in the form of digital services).
ITIL Management Practices Updates
- The names of the 34 ITIL management practices in ITIL 4 remain unchanged. However, given the change in focus for ITIL (Version 5), expect the Official Practice Guides to differ significantly for some.
- Appendix A of the Foundation publication provides summary information on all management practices. These “cards” really are great “everything on one page” overviews of what each management practice entails.
Continual Improvement in ITIL (Version 5)
- The ITIL Continual Improvement Model in ITIL (Version 5) is similar but different from that in ITIL 4. A separate ITSM.tools article will explain what has changed.
ITIL Foundation Version 5 Appendices and Practical Resources
- The new ITIL Foundation publication includes many practical appendices, including Appendix C on ITIL roles, Appendix F on the ITIL Maturity Model, and Appendix G on the ITIL Transformation Model.
Where to Learn More About ITIL (Version 5)
Hopefully, this quick list of ITIL (Version 5) changes helps.
More has been written elsewhere, including this blog by ITSM legend and seasoned ITIL author Stuart Rance: https://www.optimalservicemanagement.com/blog/the-new-itil/. Stuart’s blog also explains more about why the changes were made.
Please use the comments section to add other helpful ITIL (Version 5) resources.
ITIL (Version 5) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
ITIL (Version 5) expands on ITIL 4 by introducing a stronger focus on digital product and service management, AI governance, experience management, and organizational transformation. While ITIL 4 emphasized service management modernization, ITIL (Version 5) is designed for AI-native, product-centric organizations.
The update reflects major industry changes since 2019, including rapid AI adoption, increased operational complexity, digital transformation, product-based operating models, and growing focus on customer and employee experience.
No. The official name is simply “ITIL.” The term “ITIL (Version 5)” is commonly used to distinguish it from previous versions such as ITIL 4 and ITIL v3.
One of the biggest changes is the move from the ITIL 4 Service Value Chain to the new Digital Product and Service Lifecycle model. This reflects the shift toward integrated product and service management.
No. The core concept remains, but the Service Value System has evolved into the broader “ITIL Value System.” Most components remain similar, including guiding principles, governance, practices, and continual improvement.
ITIL (Version 5) introduces AI-native guidance, AI governance concepts, and the ITIL AI Capability Model. The framework now addresses automation, predictive intelligence, responsible AI usage, and AI-enhanced operations more directly than ITIL 4.
The ITIL AI Capability Model is introduced within the Information and Technology dimension and includes six capabilities:
– Creation
– Curation
– Clarification
– Cognition
– Communication
– Coordination.
This model helps organizations understand and structure AI adoption.
No. The seven guiding principles introduced in ITIL 4 remain unchanged in ITIL (Version 5):
– Focus on value
– Start where you are
– Progress iteratively with feedback
– Collaborate and promote visibility
– Think and work holistically
– Keep it simple and practical
– Optimize and automate.
Yes. ITIL (Version 5) retains all 34 management practices from ITIL 4, although some practices have been reorganized into different categories to better support product and service management.
ITIL 4 grouped practices into General, Service, and Technical Management Practices. ITIL (Version 5) simplifies this into:
– Product and Service Management Practices
– General Management Practices.
The separate Technical Management Practices category was removed. Technical practices such as Deployment Management and Infrastructure and Platform Management were moved into the Product and Service Management grouping.
Yes. ITIL (Version 5) introduces a product-centric approach that combines digital products and services into unified lifecycle management guidance.
New publications include:
ITIL Product
ITIL Service
ITIL Experience
ITIL Strategy
ITIL Transformation
ITIL AI Governance
These expand the framework beyond traditional service management guidance.
Yes. ITIL (Version 5) introduces a dedicated AI Governance publication and related certification path focused on responsible AI adoption, governance, and operational oversight.
ITIL (Version 5) introduces dedicated transformation guidance, improved lifecycle integration, AI-native operating models, and stronger alignment between strategy, governance, products, services, and experience management.
Yes. ITIL (Version 5) continues the ITIL 4 emphasis on Agile, Lean, DevOps, automation, and iterative improvement while adding more product management alignment.
The Digital Product and Service Lifecycle replaces the ITIL 4 Service Value Chain and provides a unified model for managing products, services, governance, delivery, and continual improvement across the entire value stream.
Yes. Many core ITIL 4 concepts remain intact, including guiding principles, continual improvement, practices, governance, and the four dimensions. ITIL (Version 5) builds on rather than replaces ITIL 4 foundations.
Yes. ITIL 4 certifications remain highly relevant, and transition paths are available for professionals moving to ITIL (Version 5) qualifications.
Not necessarily. Organizations should evaluate their current maturity, digital transformation goals, AI adoption plans, and operational priorities before deciding when and how to transition. Many ITIL 4 practices remain fully applicable.
Stephen Mann
Principal Analyst and Content Director at the ITSM-focused industry analyst firm ITSM.tools. Also an independent IT and IT service management marketing content creator, and a frequent blogger, writer, and presenter on the challenges and opportunities for IT service management professionals.
Previously held positions in IT research and analysis (at IT industry analyst firms Ovum and Forrester and the UK Post Office), IT service management consultancy, enterprise IT service desk and IT service management, IT asset management, innovation and creativity facilitation, project management, finance consultancy, internal audit, and product marketing for a SaaS IT service management technology vendor.
