ABSTRACT
Contemporary information technology (IT) operations generally require the management of numerous systems composed of infrastructure elements, software applications, client-side devices, and external vendor-hosted applications. Effectively managing the processes, functions, inputs, outputs, and transitions between systems requires a consistent, repeatable, best-practice framework that organizations may adapt in total or in part. The Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) is suitable for addressing the modern management dilemmas within the IT field. The ITIL framework contains generalized models that may be adapted to fit any IT environment regardless of industry or internal structure. This entry decree’s the imperative for IT organizational adoption of a best-practice framework, namely, the ITIL framework, to enable business-driven IT operation. Illustrative examples of specific components within the ITIL framework will be applied in an effort to highlight realistic benefits of leveraging ITIL. The five core service lifecycles within ITIL will be explored and justified through explanation and illustrative examples.
