ITIL®, COBIT® and CMMI®: Ongoing Confusion of Process and Function

ITIL®, CMMI® and COBIT® have profound influence and reach in the IT industry globally, serving as defining frameworks for wide sections of IT practice. The frameworks are often utilized as stringent criteria for awarding contracts and assessing maturity, risk and performance, but IT management remains in a chronic crisis of poor image and performance, and so deep critiques of the major frameworks (ITIL®, CMMI®, COBIT®…) are appropriate, given their influence. Currently, they unfortunately are obscuring end to end IT value and encouraging IT transformation initiatives less focused on a holistic system of value, and more focused on strengthening silo walls. Their concept of “process” is inconsistent with well-established industry BPM (Business Process Management) best practices. In this White Paper Charlie Betz proposes a better integration between the main IT frameworks and industry BPM best practices.