The itSMF (www.itsmfi.org) is working with the itSMF-USA to make the PriSM programme www.itsmfusa.org/prism a global initiative.

After a successful Conference last year on March 19th 2009, itSMF Belgium is preparing for its next conference.

The 2010 event will take place on March 18th 2010 at Metropolis,  Antwerp.

As in previous years we are seeking for service management key players and highly skilled rofessionals who are willing to share their experiences on service management.

Sharon Taylor has notified the itSMF International Board of her intention to officially step down as its Chairman. Ms Taylor has cited the need to meet growing personal and family commitments, as the reason for reducing a number of her current commitments.

She is very well known and respected in the ITSM global community and has served the itSMF movement as the Chair for itSMF International for 2 years, and has served on Chapter Boards and International itSMF committees for 8 years prior to her appointment as itSMF International Chair. Within this time she has led the growth of the itSMF movement, overseen improvements to itSMFI, ensured that the governance of the organisation has been properly documented and updated as well as helping to support the financial viability of the company.

Theme: "Economy of effort" – making better use of staff in challenging times
When: 2nd December 2009
Where: The BIS Conference Centre, Victoria Street, London

This year's conference from SFIA (Skills Framework for the Information Age) will focus on just how to get the most from the most important resource your organisation has - its people.

itSMF Egypt Chapter has held a joint session with HERO (The Microsoft Egypt IT Pro Community, one of itSMF Egypt partners) on Sunday Nov. 15th, around the topic ITIL Overview.

The session was hosted by Microsoft Egypt, and offered for free to members of the IT community in Egypt. The session started by introduction to the itSMF organization and the Egyptian chapter, and then followed by a walkthrough ITIL V3 modules overview, all presented by volunteer itSMF Egypt members, and extended for a full day.

At the 2009 AGM the itSMF Chapters appointed three new Directors to serve on the itSMF International Executive Board from January 1st 2010 for two years, to replace Ken Wendle, Paul Martini and Colin Rudd whose tenure is due to end.

The three new Directors appointed were:

• David Cannon (USA) 
• Peter Cross (Australia)
• Michael Kum (Malaysia)

ITIL underwent a major refresh in 2005 and V3 was launched in June 2007. OGC has established a cyclical programme to update its core ITIL guidance which takes into account the latest developments in best practice in IT service management. Between the refresh projects, the ITIL guidance is regularly reviewed for fitness for purpose and is updated in controlled releases.

The Office of Government Commerce (OGC) and The Stationery Office (TSO), the official publisher for the GC, are seeking participants for the update of the five core publications (Service Strategy, Service Design, Service Transition, Service Operation, Continual Service Improvement) and the Introduction to the ITIL Service Lifecycle.

The Board of Directors of itSMF Italy on Monday 26 October elected a new President in the person of Alessio Cuppari.

I'm really proud to represent itSMF Italy, an association that has experienced steady growth over time and has managed to attract people who see in IT Service Management an important resource for IT.

I wish to thank on behalf of the entire Board of Directors our outgoing President, Stefano Bellin, who had to leave his post because of his increasing work commitments (we are a 'group of "volunteers").

The itSMF International Executive Board met its Chapters on 30th October 2009, at the Barcelo Sants Hotel in Barcelona, Spain. Of the 52 Chapters currently chartered, 35 Chapters attended both the Annual General Meeting and Annual Chapter Meeting. Both meetings were preceded by the second Chapter Leadership Conference held on 28th & 29th October in the same location.

The CLC attendees followed a programme of workshops, presentations and fun, fraternity and fellowship all aimed at getting a greater level of understanding amongst the Chapters and a deeper understanding of how the organisation can support, develop and promote best practice on IT Service Management worldwide. Led by Sharon Taylor, the Chairman of itSMF International and her Executive Board, the Chapters made a number of resolutions aimed towards helping the Chapters to achieve a greater level of professionalism amongst IT Service Managers in their respective markets.

Press Release - OGC:

In June 2009 OGC announced that itSMF International were undertaking a survey of the IT Service Management community to seek views on the uptake of ITIL version3 and the need to retain ITIL version2.

The survey had over 1300 responses, with a broad range of organisations providing a cross-representation of views from the community. There are some clear messages in the survey report: