What is now called ITIL version 1, developed under the auspices of the CCTA, was titled "Government Information Technology Infrastructure Management Methodology" (GITMM) and over several years eventually expanded to 31 volumes in a project initially directed by Peter Skinner and John Stewart at the CCTA. Although ITIL was originally created by the CCTA, a UK Government agency. it is now being adopted and used across the world as the defacto standard for best practice in the provision of IT Service. An organization that has implemented ITIL guidance in ITSM may be able to achieve compliance with and seek certification under ISO/IEC 20000.
The central role of Service Level Management makes it the natural place for metrics to be established and monitored against a benchmark. However, few organizations can afford to forgo all business activities supported by IT services and simply wait until services are restored. ITIL Standards Capacity Management supports the optimum and cost effective provision of IT services by helping organizations match their IT resources to the business demands.
ITSM does not typically include project management or program management concerns. The concept of "Service" in an IT sense has a distinct operational connotation, but it would be incorrect then to assume that IT Service Management is only about IT operations.
The goal of initiation is to define the ITSCM policy and charter the endeavor.