What is ISO 20000? The International Standard for IT Service Management

ISO 20000 is the first certifiable international standard exclusively dedicated to IT Service Management (ITSM). It was developed based on the success of the British ITIL framework to provide mandatory requirements for organizations.

Latest Edition: ISO/IEC 20000-1:2018

The specification consists of several parts, the most important of which are:

• Part 1 (20000-1): Defines “Requirements” and is the only part under which a company can obtain certification.

• Part 2 (20000-2): Provides detailed guidance on how to implement these requirements.

💡 Did you know? ISO 20000 is not concerned with the type of technology you use, but rather with how this technology is “managed” to serve the end-user.

2. The Difference Between ISO 20000 and ITIL ⭐⭐

This is the most common question among IT managers. The relationship between them is complementary, not competitive.

In summary: ITIL tells you “how” to do things, while ISO 20000 specifies “what” you must do to be internationally certified.

4. Essential Processes in ISO 20000 (The 14 Processes)

To obtain ISO 20000 IT Service Management certification, an organization must demonstrate proficiency in 14 processes distributed across four axes:

First: Service Delivery Processes

1. Service Level Management (SLM): Formulating clear Service Level Agreements (SLAs) that guarantee user rights.

2. Availability Management: Ensuring systems are available for operation (e.g., 99.9% uptime).

3. Capacity Management: Planning server and network resources before bottlenecks occur.

Second: Accuracy and Control Processes (Technical Core)

10. Incident Management: Rapid response to failures to restore service.

11. Problem Management: Root cause analysis to prevent recurring incidents.

12. Change Management: Ensuring every system update is conducted with a thorough risk assessment to prevent downtime.

7. Service Desk According to ISO 20000 ⭐

The Service Desk according to ISO 20000 represents the true “interface” of the technology sector. The standard requires a single point of contact (SPOC) capable of:

• Categorizing reports.

• Prioritizing based on impact and urgency (Priority Matrix).

• Utilizing advanced tools such as ServiceNow or Jira Service Management.

8. Incident and Problem Management ISO 20000

This section is the true test for any IT department.

• Incident: “The manager’s printer is not working” -> Objective: Quick resolution.

• Problem: “Why do printers on the fourth floor fail every Tuesday?” -> Objective: Root Cause Analysis (RCA).

5. Requirements for Obtaining ISO 20000

To pass successfully, your organization needs three pillars:

1. Technical Systems: A Ticketing System and a Configuration Management Database (CMDB).

2. Documentation: Documented policies for each of the 14 processes and logs proving implementation for at least 3 months.

3. Human Resources: A trained team with ISO 20000 or ITIL training courses.

Readiness Checklist:

• [ ] Is there a documented Service Catalogue?

• [ ] Is customer satisfaction measured periodically?

• [ ] Is there a service continuity plan in case of disasters?

Conclusion: Start Your Digital Transformation Journey Today

Adopting the principles of ISO 20000 IT Service Management is not merely about obtaining a certificate to hang on the wall; it is a commitment to delivering real value to your customers and employees. By organizing processes and reducing disruptions, your organization will save thousands of hours of lost productivity.