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ITSM
Guiding Principles
Quick Definition
Seven universal recommendations in ITIL® 5 that guide an organisation's decision-making in all circumstances regardless of changes in goals, strategies, or structure.
Detailed Explanation
The seven guiding principles are: Focus on Value, Start Where You Are, Progress Iteratively with Feedback, Collaborate and Promote Visibility, Think and Work Holistically, Keep It Simple and Practical, and Optimise and Automate.
These principles are not rules but guides — they help teams make better decisions when facing uncertainty. They apply universally across ITSM, Agile, DevOps, and Lean practices.
The guiding principles are heavily tested in the ITIL® 5 Foundation exam, accounting for approximately 15-20% of questions. Scenario-based questions ask candidates to identify which principle applies to a given situation.
Related Terms
Relevant Frameworks
ITIL