Kotter’s 8-step Model is one of the most widely adopted approaches to change management globally. This article walks through what each of the eight steps involves, how they connect, and how ITSM and change enablement teams can put the model to work without reducing it to a checklist. It also covers where the model is most often misapplied.
Change enablement in ITIL 4 is the practice of making sure changes to IT services and infrastructure are implemented with minimum risk and disruption, while still delivering the value the change was supposed to bring. This article covers what shifted between ITIL v3’s change management and ITIL 4’s change enablement, why the shift is important, and what the practical difference looks like day to day.
Daniel Breston takes a closer look at the ITIL 4 Service Value Chain and asks you to observe and consider what the framework depicts against the way you deliver value with technology-based solutions today. A practical prompt to test whether the model is describing what your organization does, or what it thinks it does.
What do you need help with next year? Take our quick 2026 ITSM Topics poll to help shape the articles, guides, and practical content ITSM.tools puts out. The aggregated results also give us an early read on the hottest trends in ITSM right now, and where the industry conversation is heading in 2026.
A candid, experience-based guide to ITSM implementation failures caused by power and fear. Learn how Powernoia distorts ITIL practices, metrics, and tools – and what to measure instead to preserve dignity, trust, and real service excellence.
The VMDB introduces a new layer of business intelligence within service management tools, linking the technical configuration of services (managed in the CMDB) with their intended and realized value.
Beneath the polished surface of ITSM lies a subtle and dangerous risk: people may be cooperating, but not collaborating. This distinction makes all the difference between ITSM that looks efficient and ITSM that actually delivers business value. This article explains why cooperation without collaboration in ITSM is a hidden risk.
In Q3 2025, PeopleCert collaborated with Accredited Tool Vendors (ATVs) and ITSM.tools on research into where AI capabilities have been added to ITSM tools and what the future of AI in ITSM tools holds. This article shares the findings, what’s already available, what’s still coming, and where vendor claims sit relative to reality.
IBM licensing audits are among the most meticulous in the IT industry. However, with sound preparation, cross-functional collaboration, and a proactive mindset, you can navigate the IBM licensing audit process effectively to protect your organization’s compliance posture and budget.
For ITAM and ITSM leaders, the key to navigating an IBM license audit isn’t just technical accuracy. Instead, it’s the effectiveness of process control, risk management, and strategic communication capabilities.
Salesforce is starting to talk about ITSM. References to ITSM are now showing up in Service Cloud messaging and its “Agentforce” AI-building platform positioning. So far, it has been relatively low-key in my opinion: a Dreamforce announcement (that created a buzz), a few posts, a video, and a landing page that feels more like a placeholder than a full strategy. Is it less a bold announcement and more like a quick response to ServiceNow’s move into CRM? The big question is whether Salesforce’s entry into ITSM will have a real impact.
In Q2 2025, HCLSoftware and ITSM.tools ran an artificial intelligence (AI)-focused survey; this article presents some of the results from a report called The State of AI in ITSM 2025. The full report can be downloaded using the links in the article.
Maximizing the value of IBM license costs while avoiding unplanned and unbudgeted costs is a core concern for both ITAM and ITSM professionals. This article offers 10 tips for better controlling your IBM license costs.
For organizations with mature ITAM and ITSM practices, proactive engagement in defining the scope of an IBM license audit can shift the balance. This article provides details on what your organization can do scopewise to help improve the results of an IBM license audit.
Some ITSM practices get widely adopted and closely managed, often using ITIL best practice. Others, like capacity and performance management, receive far less attention despite being just as essential when things go wrong. This article covers what the ITIL capacity and performance management practice does, why it deserves more airtime, and how ITSM teams can put it to work.