ITIL 4 Strategist: Direct, Plan and Improve (DPI) Practice Exam

ITIL 4 Strategist: Direct, Plan and Improve (DPI) Practice Exam

About ITIL 4 Strategist: Direct, Plan and Improve (DPI) Exam

The ITIL 4 Strategist: Direct, Plan, and Improve (DPI) certification equips professionals with the essential skills required to develop a learning and improving IT organization while ensuring alignment with strategic objectives. This module emphasizes practical techniques for fostering continual improvement, managing change, and maintaining strategic focus in IT service management.

This certification is part of the ITIL Managing Professional track and is also a prerequisite for attaining the ITIL 4 Strategic Leader designation. It validates the candidate’s expertise in both practical and strategic IT service management approaches, ensuring agility in delivering continual improvement.

Who should take the exam?

The ITIL 4 DPI module is designed for individuals responsible for aligning team goals with organizational strategies and embedding a culture of continuous improvement. It provides actionable guidance for:

• Driving and managing organizational change effectively.
• Promoting a culture that prioritizes continual improvement.
• Facilitating informed decision-making processes.
• Supporting efficient change management to minimize disruptions.
• Innovating within the bounds of compliance and governance.

Knowledge Acquired

Upon completing the ITIL 4 DPI module, candidates will gain the ability to:

• Establish a robust strategic direction for IT services.
• Plan and manage organizational workflows effectively.
• Enhance product and service quality through continual improvement initiatives.
• Foster innovation while adhering to compliance requirements.
• Minimize operational disruptions during change implementations.

Exam Details

The ITIL 4 DPI certification exam assesses candidates on their understanding of the concepts and methodologies outlined in the ITIL 4 DPI publication. Examination details include:

• Format: Multiple-choice questions.
• Number of Questions: 40.
• Passing Criteria: A minimum score of 28 out of 40 (70%).
• Duration: 90 minutes.
• Exam Mode: Closed book.
• Prerequisites: Candidates must hold an ITIL 4 Foundation certification before pursuing the ITIL 4 DPI module. This prerequisite ensures a foundational understanding of ITIL concepts, enabling candidates to delve deeper into strategic and practical methodologies.

Career Advancement

The ITIL 4 DPI certification is a cornerstone for achieving advanced ITIL designations:

• ITIL Managing Professional (MP): Focuses on the practical and technical aspects of managing IT-enabled teams and workflows.
• ITIL Strategic Leader (SL): Concentrates on formulating and executing IT and digital strategies to navigate digital disruption and drive organizational success.

Course Outline

The ITIL 4 Strategist: Direct, Plan and Improve (DPI) Exam covers the following topics - 

Domain 1 - Understanding the Core Concepts of Direct, Plan, and Improve

• Key Terms
  • Direction
  • Planning
  • Improvement
  • Operating Model
  • Methods
  • Risks
  • Scope of Control
• Distinctions Between:
  • Vision vs. Mission
  • Strategy, Tactics, and Operations
  • Governance, Compliance, and Management
  • Policies, Controls, and Guidelines
  • Relationships Among Value, Outcomes, Costs, and Risks in Direction, Planning, and Improvement

Domain 2 - Understanding Scope and Application of Direction and Planning Principles

• Identifying the Scope of Control
  • Cascading Objectives and Requirements
  • Defining Effective Policies, Controls, and Guidelines
  • Establishing Decision-Making Authority at Appropriate Levels

Domain 3. Understanding Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Integration

• Role and Management of Risk in DPI
• Governance Impact on DPI
• Ensuring Balanced Control Levels

Domain 4 - Understanding Principles and Methods of Continual Improvement

• Utilizing the ITIL Continual Improvement Model for Enhancements
• Identifying Assessment Objectives, Outputs, Requirements, and Criteria
• Selecting Appropriate Assessment Methods for Various Situations
• Defining and Prioritizing Desired Improvement Outcomes
• Building, Justifying, and Advocating for a Business Case
• Conducting Improvement Reviews and Lessons Learned Analysis
• Embedding Continual Improvement Across All Levels of the Service Value System

Domain 5 - Understanding Communication and Organizational Change Management

• Scope and Benefits of Organizational Change Management (OCM)
• Application of Communication and OCM Principles:
• Stakeholder Identification and Management
• Effective Communication and Influence Techniques
• Establishing Feedback Channels
• Creating Effective Interfaces Across the Value Chain

Domain 6 - Understanding Measurement and Reporting Techniques

• Defining Indicators and Metrics to Support Objectives

Domain 7 - Understanding Directing, Planning, and Improving Value Streams and Practices

• Understanding Value Streams vs. Practices and Their Implications
• Application of Methods and Techniques for Value Streams and Practices:
• Addressing the Four Dimensions
• Applying Guiding Principles
• Mapping Value Streams
• Optimizing Workflow
• Eliminating Waste
• Ensuring and Utilizing Feedback