When does class start/end?
Class hours may vary, please reach out to contact@ascendientlearning.com if you have any questions.
ITIL® 4 Strategist: Direct, Plan, and Improve Training
This ITIL 4 Strategist: Direct, Plan, and Improve (DPI) course provides individuals with the practical skills necessary to create a 'learning and improving' IT (Information Technology) organization...
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$2,785 USD
Course Code
1282
Available Formats
Classroom, Virtual
Overview
This ITIL 4 Strategist: Direct, Plan, and Improve (DPI) course provides individuals with the practical skills necessary to create a 'learning and improving' IT (Information Technology) organization with a strong and effective strategic direction. It covers the influence and impact of Agile and Lean ways of working and how they can be leveraged to an organization's advantage. It will provide practitioners with a practical and strategic method for planning and delivering continual improvement with the necessary agility. The course prepares you for the ITIL® 4 Strategist: Direct, Plan & Improve exam. This crossover exam fulfills a core requirement of the ITIL 4 Managing Professional (MP) and Strategic Leader (SL) certifications. This course is part of the ITIL Practice Manager Certification course series.
- The course prepares you for the ITIL® 4 Strategist: Direct, Plan & Improve exam, a crossover exam that fullfills a core requirement of both the ITIL 4 Managing Professional (MP) and Strategic Leader (SL) certifications.
Skills Gained
- Apply the key concepts of Direct, Plan and Improve
- Understand the scope of what is to be directed and/or planned, and know how to use key principles and methods of direction and planning
- Understand the role of governance, risk and control know how to integrate the principles and methods into the service value system
- Understand and know how to use the key principles and methods of continual improvement for all types of improvements
- Understand and know how to use the key principles and methods of Communication and Organizational Change Management to direction, planning and improvement
- Understand and know how to use the key principles and methods of measurement and reporting in direction, planning and improvement
- Understand and know how to direct, plan and improve value streams and practices
Prerequisites
- Direction
- Planning
- Improvement
- Operating Model
- Methods
- Risks
- Scope of control
- Vision and Mission
- Strategy, Tactics and Operations
- Governance, compliance and management
- Policies, Controls and Guidelines
- Cascade goals and requirements
- Define effective policies, controls and guidelines
- Place decision-making authority at the correct level
- The role of risk and risk management in DPI
- How governance impacts DPI
- Ensure that controls are sufficient, but not excessive
- Use the ITIL continual improvement model to improve the service value system or any part of the SVS
- Identify assessment objectives, outputs, requirements and criteria
- Select an appropriate assessment method for a particular situation
- Define and prioritize desired outcomes of an improvement
- Build, justify and advocate for a business case
- Conduct improvement reviews and lesson learn analysis
- Embed continual improvement at all levels of the SVS
- Identify and manage different types of stakeholders
- Effectively communicate with and influence others
- Establish effective feedback channels
- Establish effective interfaces across the value chain
- Define indicators and metrics to support objectives
- Direct, plan and improve value streams and practices
- Understand the differences between value streams and practices and how those differences impact direction, planning and improvement
- Select and use the appropriate methods and techniques to direct, plan and improve value streams and practices including addressing the 4 dimensions and Value Stream Mapping
- Must hold the ITIL 4 Foundation Certificate
Course Details
Outline
Understand the Key Concepts of Direct, Plan & Improve (DPI)
- Direction
- Planning
- Improvement
- Operating Model
- Methods
- Risks
- Scope of control
Understand the Differences Between the Following Key Concepts
- Vision and Mission
- Strategy, Tactics and Operations
- Governance, compliance and management
- Policies, Controls and Guidelines
Understand the Scope of What is to be Directed and/or Planned and Know How to Use Key Principles and Methods of Direction and Planning in that Context.
- Cascade goals and requirements
- Define effective policies, controls and guidelines
- Place decision-making authority at the correct level
Understand the Role of Governance, Risk and Control and Know How to Integrate the Principles and Methods into the Service Value System
- The role of risk and risk management in DPI
- How governance impacts DPI
- Ensure that controls are sufficient, but not excessive
Understand and Know How to Use the Key Principles and Methods of Continual Improvement for all Types of Improvements
- Use the ITIL continual improvement model to improve the service value system or any part of the SVS
- Identify assessment objectives, outputs, requirements and criteria
- Select an appropriate assessment method for a particular situation
- Define and prioritize desired outcomes of an improvement
- Build, justify and advocate for a business case
- Conduct improvement reviews and lesson learn analysis
- Embed continual improvement at all levels of the SVS
Understand and know how to use the key principles and methods of Communication and Organizational Change Management to direction, planning and improvement
- Understand the nature, scope and potential benefits of organizational change management
- Know how to use the key principles and methods of Communication & OCM:
- Identify and manage different types of stakeholders
- Effectively communicate with and influence others
- Establish effective feedback channels
- Establish effective interfaces across the value chain
Understand and Know How to Use the Key Principles and Methods of Measurement and Reporting in Direction, Planning and Improvement
- Define indicators and metrics to support objectives
- Direct, plan and improve value streams and practices
- Understand the differences between value streams and practices and how those differences impact direction, planning and improvement
- Select and use the appropriate methods and techniques to direct, plan and improve value streams and practices including addressing the 4 dimensions and Value Stream Mapping
Schedule
6 options available
-
Aug 20, 2025 - Aug 22, 2025 (3 days)
Virtual | 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM CDT Language English Select from 1 options below Virtual |9:00 AM – 4:30 PM CDT- Enroll
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SAVE 20% on this course -
Promo Code: LEARN20 -
Sep 17, 2025 - Sep 19, 2025 (3 days)
Virtual | 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM EDT Language English Select from 1 options below Virtual |9:00 AM – 4:30 PM EDT- Enroll
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Oct 1, 2025 - Oct 3, 2025 (3 days)
Virtual | 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM EDT Language English Select from 1 options below Virtual |9:00 AM – 4:30 PM EDT- Enroll
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Nov 19, 2025 - Nov 21, 2025 (3 days)
Virtual | 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM EST Language English Select from 1 options below Virtual |9:00 AM – 4:30 PM EST- Enroll
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-
Feb 11, 2026 - Feb 13, 2026 (3 days)
Virtual | 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM EST Language English Select from 1 options below Virtual |9:00 AM – 4:30 PM EST- Enroll
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Mar 11, 2026 - Mar 13, 2026 (3 days)
Virtual | 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM EDT Language English Select from 1 options below Virtual |9:00 AM – 4:30 PM EDT- Enroll
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FAQ
Does the course schedule include a Lunchbreak?
Classes typically include a 1-hour lunch break around midday. However, the exact break times and duration can vary depending on the specific class. Your instructor will provide detailed information at the start of the course.
What languages are used to deliver training?
Most courses are conducted in English, unless otherwise specified. Some courses will have the word "FRENCH" marked in red beside the scheduled date(s) indicating the language of instruction.
What does GTR stand for?
GTR stands for Guaranteed to Run; if you see a course with this status, it means this event is confirmed to run. View our GTR page to see our full list of Guaranteed to Run courses.
How do I find an Ascendient Learning training location?
We have training locations across the United States and Canada - View a complete list of classroom training locations.
Which delivery formats are available?
At Ascendient Learning, we offer training that is Instructor-Led, Online, Virtual, and Self-Paced.
Does Ascendient Learning deliver group training?
Yes, we provide training for groups, individuals and private on sites. View our group training page for more information.
What does vendor-authorized training mean?
As a vendor-authorized training partner, we offer a curriculum that our partners have vetted. We use the same course materials and facilitate the same labs as our vendor-delivered training. These courses are considered the gold standard and, as such, are priced accordingly.
Is the training too basic, or will you go deep into technology?
It depends on your requirements, your role in your company, and your depth of knowledge. The good news about many of our learning paths, you can start from the fundamentals to highly specialized training.
How up-to-date are your courses and support materials?
We continuously work with our vendors to evaluate and refresh course material to reflect the latest training courses and best practices.
Are your instructors seasoned trainers who have deep knowledge of the training topic?
Ascendient Learning instructors have an average of 27 years of practical IT experience and have also served as consultants for an average of 15 years. To stay current, instructors spend at least 25 percent of their time learning new, emerging technologies and courses.
Do you provide hands-on training and exercises in an actual lab environment?
Lab access is dependent on the vendor and the type of training you sign up for. However, many of our top vendors will provide lab access to students to test and practice. The course description will specify lab access.
Will you customize the training for our company’s specific needs and goals?
We will work with you to identify training needs and areas of growth. We offer a variety of training methods, such as private group training, on-site of your choice, and virtually. We provide courses and certifications that are aligned with your business goals.
How do I get started with certification?
Getting started on a certification pathway depends on your goals and the vendor you choose to get certified in. Many vendors offer entry-level IT certification to advanced IT certification that can boost your career. To get access to certification vouchers and discounts, please contact info@ascendientlearning.com.
Will I get access to content after I complete a course?
You will get access to the PDF of course books and guides, but access to the recording and slides will depend on the vendor and type of training you receive.
How do I request a W9 for Ascendient Learning?
View our filing status and how to request a W9.
Reviews
Very interactive and in-depth course that really got me ready for the industry
Sean is the very good instructor. I would like to take his class again in the future.
Class was very informative, although one lab didnt but will try again later
This was effective way to provide a ton of information in a short time period.
ExitCertified gave me some good trainings and I got to learn through doing labs.
