Service Strategy (SS) - ITIL^® v3 Intermediate Service Lifecycle Module

The Service Strategy (SS) certification is one of five ITIL^® v3 Service Lifecycle modules and provides you with the guidance that enables you to design, develop, and implement service provider strategy that aligns to the organizational strategy.

The SS module focuses on the importance of the strategic aspect of services within the IT service lifecycle. It provides the specific knowledge and techniques to help you demonstrate that you understand the risks and success factors and have the skills to develop and progress strategy within an organization or programme.

The course covers management and control of activities and techniques that are documented in the ITIL v3 Service Strategy publication, but it does not provide the full detail of each supporting process. More information about these processes can be found in the Service Offering and Agreements module from the Service Capability workstream.

The strategic aspects of a service should not be underestimated. Adopting service strategy techniques and principles can help organizations ensure that their IT teams are aligned with the business as a whole and are not just focused on technical concerns. This can enable better communication within an organization resulting in smoother and swifter development of new or updated products and services.

The SS module offers the same benefits to individuals who will be better able to understand the relationship between the IT and general aspects of their work and to appreciate how the ITIL best practice framework can help them work more efficiently.

The Service Strategy certification would suit those working in the following areas:

• IT management
• IT Finance management
• Supplier Relationship management.

This list is a guide only, and choices will depend on individual career goals and objectives. 

Under the ITIL Credit System, you must earn a number of credits from each ITIL certification to progress to the next level within the ITIL scheme.

The SS module is worth three credits towards the minimum of 17 required to progress to the Managing Across the Lifecycle module, which is the final step before the ITIL Expert Level.

See our ITIL Credit System page for more information.

• Multiple choice examination questions
• Eight questions per paper
• 28 marks required to pass (out of 40 available) - 70%
• 90 minutes’ duration
• Closed book.

The Service Strategy certification can only be taken as part of an accredited training course.