itSMF UK has announced the publication of 'Service Level Management - a Practitioner's Guide'. This is the first of a new series of guides that draw on the expertise of the chapter's network of Special Interest Groups. Offering a practical, experience-based approach to the subject matter, the guide discusses (among other things) the best way to design an SLM roadmap and implementation project plan, compile a service catalogue, and put together service level agreements, with templates and supporting material provided on an accompanying CD. itSMF UK member Steve Morgan, who chaired the working party that authored the book, said the group were delighted to be able to share their SLM knowledge with other service management professionals.

The itSMF International Board met its Chapters on Friday the 14th November 2008, at the Hilton, Warwick in the UK. Of the 53 Chapters currently chartered, 43 Chapters attended both the Annual General Meeting and Annual Chapter Meeting held over 2 1/2 days. Both meetings were preceded by the very first Chapter Leadership Conference and the UK Chapter's Annual conference.

The 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.

BCS is very happy to work with ITSMF International and contribute to the future development of IT Service Management. The international Forum is a key partner for BCS with regard to the future development of qualifications and professionalism in IT. BCS is looking forward to a great cooperation with the ITSMF International and the ITSMF chapters.

The itSMFI is delighted to have this agreement in place to work together with the BCS on matters of mutual interest to our members and we look forward to this agreement adding value to both our organisations in the future.

To recognize their mutual interests and work more closely together on key initiatives, the ISACA and the IT Service Management Forum International (itSMFI) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU). The MoU enables both organizations to enhance the services they provide to members, promote the complementary frameworks that are the focus of the respective organizations, and focus their efforts on practical delivery support to the global IT community for the integrated use of ITIL and the COBIT framework.

itSMF International has announced the publication of "IT Service Management: Global Best Practices", a unique compendium of over 40 papers written by industry thought leaders worldwide. It offers the inside track on new practices that could radically change IT Service Management in the next few years. The book offers some sound thought-provoking guidance for IT managers.

For further details or to order a copy, visit your favourite itSMF bookstore at http://www.itsmfi.org/content/chapter-bookshops

The ethics board of The APM Group (APMG) met the board of itSMF International (itSMFI) recently to further knit relations between their organisations, which both share the aim of establishing the highest possible standards among service management professionals. Cementing their alliance Sharon Taylor, Chair, itSMFI nd Richard Pharro, CEO, APMG, signed a contract, which seals the agreement whereby APMG will share revenue generated from the ITIL Foundation exams to help itSMFI expand and support chapters. In return, tSMFI is committed to promoting ITIL globally and supporting the qualification scheme through its involvement n the ITIL Qualifications board.

Colin Rudd, itSMFI’s Qualification Board representative and ITIL author, said “I am pleased that a close working relationship has been established for the benefit of the service management community and for ITIL at large.” “We were impressed with APMG’s corporate governance structure and have extended an offer to Richard Pharro to speak about the subject at itSMF conferences."

On November 13 2007 the APM Group (APMG), which is responsible for the ITIL qualifications scheme, handed over a cheque for £100,000 to Sharon Taylor, the itSMF International Chair designate.

On the 31st of October the AGM and the full Chapter meeting for itSMF International was held in The Netherlands, at Kasteel De Vanenberg, Putten.