Course Overview:
The ITIL® 4 Strategist: Direct, Plan & Improve Certification Course for IT Leaders is designed to equip managers and strategic decision-makers with the tools and frameworks required to steer IT and digital teams effectively. Centered around the ITIL 4 Direct Plan and Improve (DPI) module, this course offers comprehensive insight into governance, continual improvement, Agile/Lean integration, and measurement-based leadership practices.
Participants will master core concepts from the official ITIL 4 Strategist Direct Plan Improve certification guide, including aligning strategy with operations, defining policies and objectives, and embedding continual improvement into every layer of the organization. Ideal for managers preparing for the ITIL 4 official certification exam, this course is also a crucial part of the ITIL 4 Managing Professional path.
By integrating practical exercises and insights from the ITIL 4 DPI training material, this program supports participants in driving organizational change, improving services, and building resilient IT strategies that adapt to modern challenges.
Target Audience:
- IT Managers and IT Directors
- Strategy and Governance Leads
- Change Managers
- Service Delivery Managers
- Process Improvement Officers
- Senior Project Managers
- Business Relationship Managers
- Anyone pursuing the ITIL 4 Managing Professional certification
Targeted Organizational Departments:
- IT Strategy and Governance
- IT Service Management (ITSM)
- Continuous Improvement Teams
- Quality Assurance and Compliance
- Project Management Office (PMO)
- Enterprise Architecture and Transformation Offices
Targeted Industries:
- Information Technology & Digital Services
- Telecommunications
- Financial Services & Banking
- Healthcare IT
- Government & Public Sector
- Education & Research Institutions
- Manufacturing and Utilities
Course Offerings:
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Apply the core principles of the Direct Plan Improve ITIL module
- Develop strategic and tactical planning capabilities
- Implement measurement and reporting systems for continual improvement
- Lead cultural and behavioral change using Agile and Lean principles
- Understand governance, risk, and compliance within the ITIL 4 DPI certification course
- Design and operate a Continual Improvement model
- Prepare thoroughly for the ITIL 4 DPI exam prep and certification
Training Methodology:
This course blends theory with high-impact application using:
- Real-world case studies aligned with the ITIL 4 Strategist course
- Group activities and interactive scenario simulations
- Exercises derived from the ITIL 4 DPI learning objectives
- Feedback loops and quizzes for daily review
- Agile and Lean transformation simulations
- Continual improvement project design tasks
- The combination of collaborative learning and practical assignments ensures participants not only understand theory but apply it confidently in their organizations.
Course Toolbox:
Participants will receive:
- Instructor-led session guide
- ITIL 4 DPI exam-style questions
- Continual Improvement templates
- Sample strategic plans and reporting dashboards
- Agile and Lean workflow samples
- Governance & compliance checklists
Note: This course provides insights and examples of tools, but not licensed ITIL toolkits.
Course Agenda:
Day 1: Strategic Direction and Planning in ITIL 4
- Topic 1: Understanding the ITIL Service Value System (SVS) and guiding principles
- Topic 2: Strategy and governance principles in the ITIL 4 DPI module
- Topic 3: Defining vision, direction, and scope using organizational models
- Topic 4: Integrating strategic direction into service management
- Topic 5: Managing stakeholders for IT governance success
- Reflection & Review: Applying strategic thinking in ITIL 4 environments
Day 2: Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Essentials
- Topic 1: IT governance in relation to ITIL 4 strategic planning courses
- Topic 2: Risk management aligned with continual improvement
- Topic 3: Defining and implementing policies and controls
- Topic 4: Governance across value streams and projects
- Topic 5: Managing compliance using ITIL 4 DPI learning objectives
- Reflection & Review: Aligning governance with improvement initiatives
Day 3: Continual Improvement Across ITIL Services
- Topic 1: Overview of the Continual Improvement model
- Topic 2: Tools and techniques for continual improvement training
- Topic 3: Defining roles and responsibilities in improvement projects
- Topic 4: Measurement and reporting strategies in ITIL 4 DPI
- Topic 5: Building a culture of improvement
- Reflection & Review: Evaluating improvement practices and outcomes
Day 4: Agile, Lean, and Organizational Change Management
- Topic 1: Using Agile principles in ITIL planning and improvement courses
- Topic 2: Lean tools to eliminate waste in IT services
- Topic 3: Organizational Change Management (OCM) for service transformation
- Topic 4: Influencing behavior and promoting adoption
- Topic 5: Metrics and techniques for measuring change effectiveness
- Reflection & Review: Integrating Lean, Agile, and OCM into IT strategy
Day 5: From Planning to Execution: Embedding ITIL 4 DPI
- Topic 1: Designing value stream-based improvement initiatives
- Topic 2: Applying DPI practices to real-world IT service management
- Topic 3: Preparing for the ITIL 4 DPI certification course exam
- Topic 4: Reviewing key practices from the ITIL 4 Strategist Direct Plan Improve certification
- Topic 5: Capstone activity: Strategic improvement simulation
- Reflection & Review: Review of the complete DPI framework and next steps in the ITIL 4 Managing Professional path
FAQ:
What specific qualifications or prerequisites are needed for participants before enrolling in the course?
There are no strict prerequisites, but participants should ideally have the ITIL 4 Foundation certification and 2+ years of experience in IT service management or leadership roles.
How long is each day's session, and is there a total number of hours required for the entire course?
Each day's session is generally structured to last around 4–5 hours, including casework and exercises. The total duration spans 5 days, approximately 20–25 hours of instruction.
Is DPI the same as other ITIL 4 modules like CDS or DSV?
No. DPI focuses specifically on strategic direction, governance, planning, and continual improvement, while CDS and DSV cover service delivery and stakeholder engagement. DPI is unique in its role as a core module for strategic leadership in the ITIL 4 Managing Professional path.
How This Course is Different from Other ITIL® 4 Courses:
This course stands out by focusing on strategic leadership, planning, and governance within the ITIL framework, unlike operationally-focused modules. The ITIL 4 Strategist: Direct, Plan & Improve Certification Course for IT Leaders equips participants with a toolkit to drive decision-making, lead cultural change, and embed improvement into all service layers.
Based on the official ITIL 4 DPI training guide, this course bridges strategic theory and real-world practice. It incorporates Agile, Lean, and OCM principles to support transformation across IT departments. Unlike other ITIL modules, DPI is foundational for every other Managing Professional course, making it a critical component of modern IT leadership development.
credits:
5 credit per day
Course Mode: full-time
Provider: Agile Leaders Training Center