Benefits of prISM
The Benefits of prISM
itSMF UK has a new initiative in place for service managers seeking better recognition for their professional qualifications and experience.
priSM (Professional Recognition for IT Service Management) is a unique 'credentialing' scheme aimed at IT service management professionals. The programme provides a framework and guidance for continual professional development while building upon the member's existing training, certification, education, and experience.
One of the great benefits of priSM is its international standing. Originating in the USA, where the membership base is already growing fast, the scheme is now being rolled out through itSMF chapters in Europe (the UK office is the EMEA administrative hub) with a similar exercise in the Asia Pacific region scheduled for later this year.
The attainment of the five levels of priSM credential demonstrates how far the individual has progressed within service management and provides a standard structure for gauging professional progress.
The main features of the priSM scheme include:
- Five levels of credential: student, associate, professional, distinguished professional and fellow
- Post-nominals corresponding to each of the credential levels
- A new mentoring scheme, based on the mentoring programme developed by the Institute of Service Management (ISM).
- Ongoing development: holders of priSM credentials must continue to 'earn' that credential through annual Continual Professional Development activity.
This last point is particularly significant, as the focus of priSM is to support continual improvement and best practice throughout the ITSM industry. All relevant service management qualifications and experience help to determine the level at which the candidate is accepted onto the priSM scheme (a combination of mandatory elements and point scores), while participation in on-going training, seminars, papers and other educational activities provides 'credits' which allow the credential holder to maintain their current priSM status or move on to the next level. Full details of these requirements are described in the priSM Handbook, which can be viewed at www.theprisminstitute.org.
Governance of priSM is provided by a structure that reflects its worldwide roll-out, headed by the Global priSM Institute Board which in turn is supported by a Global Advisory Committee and Regional Boards for each part of the world. Key members in the UK include Stephen Griffiths (Credential Service Director on the Global priSM Board), Matthew Burrows (Lead of the Global Advisory Board), and Christine Welsh (Vice-Chair of the EMEA Regional Board).
Further information
priSM is open to all itSMF members.
If you are interested in signing up to priSM and you are not currently a member of the ISM, you can find more detailed information and resources (including the latest edition of the priSM Handbook) on the priSM Institute website at www.theprisminstitute.org.
If you are a current ISM member, you can transition to priSM at an advantageous cost, but only if you do so before the end of August 2011. For details go to www.iosm.com.
Next step? Contact admin-emea@itsmf.co.uk or call 0118 918 6500 to discuss priSM credentialing.
