The Difference Between ITIL and ITSM

Many people get stuck on the distinction between ITIL and ITSM. In vague terms, the difference is that ITIL is a framework or set of practices for ITSM. To really understand that answer, we have to dig deeper into their definitions, history, and relationship.

ITSM and ITIL Definitions

ITSM stands for IT Service Management. It’s about how an organization manages IT services for customers. ITSM refers to all the activities involved in this process, which include planning, designing, delivering, operating, and controlling.

While IT Systems Management and Network Management are technology-focused, ITSM is more customer-focused. There’s a big emphasis on continual improvement. This involves consistently measuring and improving processes, IT services, and IT infrastructure. Doing so maximizes their efficiency, effectiveness, and cost effectiveness.

ITIL stands for IT Infrastructure Library. It’s a framework or a set of ITSM best practices. These processes, procedures, tasks, and checklists are not organization-specific. Instead, the idea is to integrate them with the organization's strategy. ITIL is divid