Course Overview
The ITIL® 4 Strategist: Direct, Plan, and Improve (DPI) is a three-day course that forms a key component of both the ITIL® 4 Managing Professional (MP) and ITIL® 4 Strategic Leader (SL) certification paths. Designed for current leaders and aspiring professionals, this course empowers participants to enhance their capabilities and take on greater responsibilities.
Building on ITIL’s reputation as the most widely adopted framework for IT and service management, ITIL 4 integrates established best practices with emerging methods to ensure a smooth evolution. It maintains continuity with proven approaches while embracing innovation, helping individuals and organizations adopt new strategies confidently and with minimal disruption. The ITIL 4 framework promotes a holistic perspective, elevating the role of service management across the business landscape.
The ITIL® 4 DPI course delves into service management principles and practices beyond the foundational level. It equips professionals with the knowledge and tools needed to develop a culture of continuous learning and improvement within IT organizations. The course explores universally applicable principles, methods, and techniques that support effective direction, planning, and enhancement of services.
Offered live online in English, this three-day training (course code: ITIL4DPI-L-2) provides in-depth instruction on the application of key service management concepts. Participants receive two exam attempts for the official PeopleCert certification and access to the official Axelos Main Guide e-book.
In today’s strategic business environment, DPI plays a crucial role by aligning service and product management with evolving organizational goals—from demand through to value realization. It supports transformation initiatives and fosters a culture of ongoing improvement.
Throughout the course, participants learn to apply service management principles to provide direction, plan strategically, and drive continuous improvement. The program highlights essential competencies for leaders and practitioners alike, helping them cultivate a service mindset and contribute effectively to organizational success. The course offers practical insights and tools to support professional growth and enhance leadership effectiveness.
Prerequisite: ITIL® 4 Foundation certification is required.
Certification: Successful exam candidates earn the ITIL® 4 Strategist: Direct, Plan, and Improve designation.




