After the course you will steer improvements in service management systematically: link leadership goals to the work of teams, build in governance, risk and compliance, measure with meaningful metrics and optimise value streams step by step. You will plan organisational change so that those affected are involved early. It suits you if you are responsible for improvements as a manager, team lead or service manager and already hold ITIL 4 Foundation.
What you’ll take away.
- Connect direction, planning and improvement across every level of service management
- Build governance, compliance and risk management into everyday work
- Analyse value streams and improve them using metrics
- Plan organisational change and manage communication with stakeholders
Your training in detail
- Who is it for?
- IT managers at every level, team leads, transformation leads and service managers who plan and drive improvements.
- Prerequisites
- PeopleCert requires an ITIL v3 certificate, ITIL 4 Foundation or the ITIL 4 Managing Professional Certificate.
- Format & planning
- Standard length: 3 training days. A different length can be arranged for companies.
Agenda: from understanding to application
Our independently developed agenda proposal. Focus areas, lab environment and scope are agreed before booking.
Foundations: direction, planning and improvement in the service value system
The role of governance, risk and compliance
Continual improvement and assessing the current state
Measurement, reporting and metrics that support decisions
Mapping and optimising value streams
Organisational change management, communication and exam practice
For an IT department's change process, you assess the current state, set goals with metrics, plan an improvement step and work out how to bring the affected teams on board.
Exams, licences & credentials
The course prepares you for the PeopleCert ITIL 4 Strategist: Direct, Plan and Improve exam (40 questions, 90 minutes, closed book). The exam and its fees are included only if the offer explicitly confirms this. PeopleCert releases results only with proof of training from an accredited training organisation or the official ITIL eLearning, so check before booking whether the offer covers this proof. The certificate is issued by PeopleCert. It is an official course only if the offer says so.
Vendor references & review date
Sources checked on 2026-11-10. These sources describe the technology or external exam requirements. They do not imply a partnership with NextNowa.
Your learning content
These objectives describe the training topic. The specific syllabus, dates and trainer are agreed before booking; the written offer is binding.
Frequently asked questions
Which designations does DPI count towards?
DPI is part of both ITIL 4 Managing Professional and ITIL 4 Strategic Leader, so one course covers a module for both paths.
Is an ITIL 4 module still worth it now that ITIL (Version 5) exists?
PeopleCert is running ITIL 4 and ITIL (Version 5) in parallel for a period and currently plans to retire all ITIL 4 modules on 31 December 2027. PeopleCert describes specific transition routes into ITIL (Version 5) for people who hold ITIL 4 certificates.
Does ITIL 4 Strategist: Direct, Plan and Improve (DPI): direction, planning and improvement include a certificate?
The course prepares you for the PeopleCert ITIL 4 Strategist: Direct, Plan and Improve exam (40 questions, 90 minutes, closed book). The exam and its fees are included only if the offer explicitly confirms this. PeopleCert releases results only with proof of training from an accredited training organisation or the official ITIL eLearning, so check before booking whether the offer covers this proof. The certificate is issued by PeopleCert. It is an official course only if the offer says so.