A different way to use the ITIL Service Value Chain (SVC)

I am really impressed and a big fan of the ITIL 4 framework released in 2019. It has been 8 long years since the last update to ITIL v3 was introduced.

A lot has changed and in order for ITIL to stay relevant, it was clearly needed with a major update. Some people may argue that "nothing has changed", and others may say that it is too much new content and that the framework now has moved far away from its "roots", and that they miss the ITIL (v3) Lifecycle approach for example (the wheel with Service Strategy, Design, Transition and Operation and a CSI ring outside all these)

In my view - when you get opinions like that you know that at least people are caring. I do at least, and since the release I have been teaching and using ITIL 4 a number of times, and trying to explain the rationale behind all the new elements and definitions and why it looks the way it does.

One aspect that I really always have a hard time explaining is the ITIL Service Value Chain (SVC). To be frank and honest (in a very Danish approach), I may have said at times that the SVC model is too complicated and very hard to use in a practical setting. I have not once been able to use it as a consultant and actually draw value streams with a customer.

Now comes the reason behind my article - if you are still following me, I am grateful to share what I believe is a way to ACTUALLY use the SVC in a slightly modified way.

It can be seen as an alternative visualization of the SVC as well, but most importantly for me is the dialogue that you can have around which practices to use and how to design your value stream.

I realize that it may not be entirely self-explanatory, so here is a little background story

The idea is to ignite a discussion around value streams from practical problems like onboarding in an IT-context with the use of SVC terminology (Plan, Engage, Improve, Obtain/Build, Design & Transition, Deliver & Support) as swimlanes, where the relevant ITIL practices can come into play.

If anyone are interested I created a Mural where we can interact. I tried it out at our latest ITIL 4 course online and got some positive feedback, but also that it is a hard exercise to run on a Foundation level course.

Let me know what you think. Your feedback is very welcome.