Program Overview

The ITIL® 4 Strategist: Direct, Plan, and Improve course focuses on the strategic and leadership aspects of service management. This intermediate-level course is designed for IT professionals, service managers, and leaders who are responsible for driving strategic direction, planning, and continual improvement within an organization. It builds on the foundational ITIL® 4 knowledge and provides participants with the skills and techniques needed to effectively govern and manage service delivery in a constantly changing environment. The course covers important concepts like governance, organizational culture, leadership techniques, and how to embed a culture of continuous improvement across the entire organization. You will learn how to align IT services with business objectives, make data-driven decisions, and drive service optimization initiatives across various organizational levels. Upon completing this course, you will be well-prepared to take the ITIL® 4 Strategist: Direct, Plan, and Improve exam and earn the certification.

Eligibility Criteria

  • ITIL® 4 Foundation Certification: Completion of the ITIL® 4 Foundation certification is a prerequisite for enrolling in this course.
  • Ideal for: IT leaders, service managers, process owners, and anyone responsible for directing, planning, and improving IT services or services across multiple teams.
  • Recommended for: Professionals seeking to deepen their strategic understanding of service management, including roles such as Service Strategy Manager, Service Improvement Manager, and IT Operations Manager.

Skills covered

  • Directing, Planning, and Improving Services
  • Governance and Organizational Alignment
  • Leadership and Organizational Culture
  • Continuous Improvement
  • Strategic Planning and Alignment
  • Risk Management
  • Value Stream Management
  • Innovation and Optimization
  • ITIL® 4 Certification Exam Preparation

Tools covered

  • Strategic Planning Tools: Tools such as Microsoft Project, Asana, Trello, and Jira to support service planning and delivery.
  • Service Management Tools: Integration of strategic management concepts with tools like ServiceNow, BMC Helix, Ivanti, and Freshservice.
  • Data Analytics & Reporting: Tools like Power BI, Tableau, and Google Analytics for tracking performance, measuring service quality, and making data-driven decisions.
  • Continuous Improvement Tools: Techniques and tools to identify service gaps and opportunities for optimization (e.g., Lean and Six Sigma methodologies).

Learning Experience Highlights

  • Interactive Peer Learning: Collaborate and network with peers and mentors in a dynamic online environment.
  • Flexible Access: Missed a session? Catch up anytime with recorded classes.
  • Dedicated Mentorship: Get personalized guidance through expert mentoring sessions.
  • Comprehensive Support: A dedicated cohort manager is always ready to assist you.

Career Support with Job Assistance

Our exclusive JobAssist Plus program helps you transition from learner to professional by providing:

  • Group mentoring and networking opportunities
  • Interview preparation and skill assessments
  • AI-driven profile optimization
  • Mock interviews with industry mentors

Average Starting Salary in India : ₹8 – ₹10 LPA

Growth Potential : With GenAI skills, professionals can expect 1.5x faster promotion cycles and broader global opportunities.

Why join this course ?

Elite Certificate

Receive a certificate of program completion from simplirise

Unlock Exclusive Opportunities

Engage in live virtual master classes delivered by experience faculty

Experience Hands-on Learning

Applied learning through 15+ hands-on projects and tools with seamless access to integrated labs

Learn Popular GenAI Tools

Exposure to ChatGPT, Hugging Face, DALL-E 2, Gemini and other prominent tools

What Makes This Program Unique?

  • Industry-relevant curriculum aligned with real job roles
  • Practical tools used by top companies around the world
  • Peer learning and community-based progress tracking
  • Modular design — easy to follow and digest even for beginners
  • Access to Simplirise Corporate Network for job placement opportunities

Registration Process

Fill out the form and tell us why you're interested in the program.

Our admissions team will evaluate your background and motivation.

Once selected, secure your seat by paying the admission fee and begin your learning journey.

Apply here

Frequently Asked Questions?

The ITIL® 4 Strategist: Direct, Plan, and Improve course is typically completed in 3 to 5 days for intensive classroom training or over 4 to 6 weeks if taken as a self-paced online course.

The ITIL® 4 Strategist: Direct, Plan, and Improve certification is an advanced credential that demonstrates your ability to strategically govern, plan, and improve services within an organization. It builds on foundational ITIL® 4 knowledge and equips you with leadership and planning capabilities to drive service management success.

Yes, it is mandatory to have the ITIL® 4 Foundation certification before enrolling in this course. The Foundation certification provides the necessary background and understanding of ITIL® principles that you will build upon in this course.

The exam consists of 40 multiple-choice questions, and you need to answer at least 28 questions correctly (70%) to pass. The exam duration is 90 minutes. The content focuses on governance, service alignment, leadership, continual improvement, and risk management strategies.

This certification is highly valued by employers who are looking for professionals with advanced strategic skills in service management. It positions you for leadership roles such as Service Strategy Manager, Service Improvement Manager, or IT Operations Manager, where you’ll be responsible for guiding the direction of service delivery and ensuring continual service improvement. It also boosts your chances of taking on higher-level responsibilities in organizations adopting ITIL® 4.

Yes, the course fee includes the exam voucher. Once you complete the course, you’ll be provided with all the details to schedule your exam. You will be ready to sit for the exam shortly after completing your training.

This course involves the use of service management tools such as ServiceNow and BMC Helix to align service delivery with strategic goals. Additionally, you'll explore Lean and Six Sigma methodologies to optimize processes. The course focuses on using data analytics and reporting tools like Power BI and Tableau to track performance and drive decision-making based on insights.