ITIL (Version 5) builds on ITIL 4 instead of replacing it. Here is what PeopleCert changed, what carries over, and the new concepts you meet in the official syllabus. Checked against PeopleCert sources, last verified 27 September 2026.
Our summary of the key innovations PeopleCert lists for ITIL (Version 5). Each one extends ITIL 4 rather than discarding it.
Guidance that works across the whole organization, from leadership and strategy to day-to-day operations, in stable and fast-changing environments.
Practical guidance for working in complex, AI-enabled environments: how to adapt, decide and manage change as technology and expectations evolve.
End-to-end lifecycle guidance for digital products and services, managed together for holistic value.
Design, deliver and improve with a clear view of how different stakeholders experience value.
Proven concepts from ITIL 4 and earlier, including the value system and guiding principles, carry over.
If you hold ITIL 4, most of what you know still applies. Any ITIL 4 certificate is a valid prerequisite for the advanced modules. See your exact route on the transition page.
Version 5 covers digital products and services together, in one lifecycle of eight activities enabled by the value chain activities.
Iterative, not linear. The lifecycle activities are neither sequential nor linear. Organizations use them iteratively.
The ITIL Foundation Bridge (Version 5) syllabus covers only what is new, changed or expanded since ITIL 4 Foundation. These are its topic areas, named as PeopleCert names them.
Five components and their role in an organization. The syllabus also covers how the guiding principles interact, the enabling nature of governance, and the steps of the ITIL Continual Improvement Model.
Applied as a holistic whole, and influenced by external PESTLE factors: political, economic, social, technology, legal and environmental.
The syllabus adds the difference between core and enabling value streams, the elements of a value stream map, and why workflows need to be optimized for complexity.
The syllabus defines artificial intelligence, AI maturity, GenAI, agentic AI and AI governance. It covers how AI can assist across the product and service lifecycle and the ITIL value chain activities, and introduces the ITIL AI Capability Model.
Both are presented as complementary to ITIL in the management of the product and service lifecycle.
Including basic, cooperative and collaborative (partnership) service relationships, and the sponsor, customer and user roles.
Where the Bridge exam puts its weight.
20 questions, 30 minutes, closed book. Details on the exam explorer.
Accredited ITIL (Version 5) training by Better Skills, a PeopleCert Accredited Training Organization in Portugal.
ITIL v5 training with Better Skills