Introduction

As a service provider, an enterprise will only get an edge over other competitors when it has certain features that others do not. Service strategy allows companies to realize those features or USPs and form a pathway to integrate the same.

A service strategy is based on the understanding that nothing is constant and that holding on to the same innovations and USPs to gain leverage over competitors will not work in the market. This is why service strategy takes industry disruptions and revolutions, changing corporate cultures, and leadership into account.

Definition

ITIL is an infrastructure that provides a set of best practices for IT services. It gives accurate guidance and information on which mix of services would fulfill their requirements and has top-grade quality. The service lifecycle of ITIL begins with service strategy, which leads the firm into ensuring the design, transitioning, and operations of the IT services in a manner that can fulfill customer needs and have a competitive edge in the market.

ITIL Service Strategy Block Diagram

ITIL Service Strategy

Before making the strategy, providers must have a clear sense of direction aided by service assessment. In this period, the enterprise must ask a few questions such as:

1. What products create value for the company?
2. Which IT services are the most profitable?
3. Which IT services improve efficiency?
4. What are pivots of service strategy?

The service strategy is based on a list of key concepts:

1. Value creation
2. Service provider types
3. Defining the service market
4. Service assets
5. Developing service offerings
6. Service structures
7. Financial management
8. Service portfolios
9. Return on investment
10. Demand management