The IT Skeptic - Comments for "Fourth anniversary of the IT Skeptic"

Castle ITIL is Falling

Frank — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 12:47:16 +0000

Hello Rob,

We used to converse a little, back in the days before you came out of the ITIL criticism closet. It's been a while since I've commented/posted on your site but I just wanted to say that I've always been a fan and am very glad that sites like yours exist.

My beliefs about ITIL, have always been along the same lines as yours, which is that IT is bigger than the picture that ITIL paints and that the terminology, processes and concepts of ITIL foster silo-like behavior, turning IT into more of a cost center than a true value-add partner to the businesses that IT serves.

I thought you'd like to know that over the last few years in engaging IT leaders in the US, I've found that belief in ITIL is not only waning but that "ITIL" is also becoming a bad word. It implies big, fat, slow and expensive IT to many leaders who are looking to go in a leaner and faster direction because they're becoming more and more accountable to their businesses, especially in this lean world economy. One of the biggest things many leaders don't like about ITIL is that it's considered to be conventional wisdom that was locked up in the tower of the British Agency for Commerce, controlled by a small community of stakeholders that targeted a small area of IT (starting from the tail end), that requires you to purchase what is considered to be industry conventional wisdom, and that publishes updates on a very infrequent and limited basis.

Anyhow, like with you, ITIL has inspired many of to look for better answers and some of us to build better answers. Keep doing what you're doing. It's appreciated more than you think.

My Best,

Frank
The International Foundation for Information Technology (IF4IT)
http://www.if4it.com

To better times - cheers

ianclayton — Sun, 23 May 2010 17:47:36 +0000

Happy skepday. We have traveled some amazing roads together over these past four years, many in the public glare of your website and almost as many behind the scenes trying to fathom out how best to help folks we know, and ourselves, asking and commenting on questions, assumptions, and assumed facts.

Good as they are - they'll get better. I know there have been times when you have thought of folding a tent or two - don't. We need you. You need you - after all - you are a brand - the ITSKEPTIC!

Happy birthday. Here's to many, many more and much better (financial) times.

Fixing

skeptic — Fri, 21 May 2010 10:35:01 +0000

It's not there??!? Fixing

Servicesphere podcasts

JamesFinister — Fri, 21 May 2010 09:14:55 +0000

The one blog I would currently add to Rob's list is Servicesphere's somewhat oddball ITSM Weekly podcast

http://www.servicesphere.com/blog/

Which Rob himself has been known to guest on.

James

other good blogs

skeptic — Fri, 21 May 2010 06:46:00 +0000

Thank you everybody for those kind words.

For other good blogs, you can start with my links though it overlooks many

relatively new

Dave — Thu, 20 May 2010 13:20:50 +0000

Hey Skep

Thanks for blogging.

I'm relatively new to ITSM, ITIL (and the IT Skepic) but have taken a real interest. Of all the blogs I've stumbled upon I currently rank yours at the top. I find it entertaining, informative and, above all, sensible. I've also enjoyed the debates with your commenters (so thanks to you guys, too) and I've been tempted to step in once or twice (like with the BSC/TSC discussion - I agree with Skep). Maybe I will sometime soon.

Anyway, please keep up the good work.

Cheers,
Dave

PS. If you can recommend any other good ITSM/ITIL blogs, please do!

I'm sorry I missed the

aroos — Thu, 20 May 2010 12:52:00 +0000

first two years, nearly. As I wrote on Twitter: "I just realized that ITIL 4 exists. All the good practices and advice can be found from the discussions on #theitskeptic . But hard to read."

So thanks Rob and also thanks to all the commentators.

Aale
@aalem

V2, 3 or 4?

JamesFinister — Thu, 20 May 2010 12:00:45 +0000

Rob,

When are we seeing the release of the ITIL skeptic v4? What governance will you be putting in place to ensure entrenched commercial self interest and academic hot air are equally protected? When will we see the first release of a RealITSM validated tool?

Seriously, keep up the good work.

Congrats!

mbuzina — Tue, 18 May 2010 14:27:02 +0000

Sorry I missed it, but congratulations!

@ @ @ @ __|_|_|_|__ |^^^^^^^^^| |*********| ___________

Congratulations

Annelise — Tue, 18 May 2010 08:42:12 +0000

Dear Skeptic
Congratulations on all your achievements so far. We very much appreciate all your comments (both positive AND negative!) on the industry -- and also this same objectivity applied to our own products. For me anyway it helps keep our feet on the ground -- and your sense of humour is always welcome! 'Call of a crow' is one of my favourites!

Love the blog

Chris Evans — Mon, 17 May 2010 08:21:01 +0000

Have gained some real insights during my time reading. Nice to know I am not the only person who doesnt blindly accept everything at face value.

Good luck in the future and here's to many more years of the IT Skeptic!