ITSM vs ITIL: a path to a modern business with Jira Service Management
Regarding IT management, terms like ITIL and ITSM are often discussed together. But have you ever wondered why?
Companies looking to enhance the quality of their technology services frequently turn to these concepts to guide their strategies. And it makes sense! ITIL has led the ITSM industry for over 30 years, and the two concepts complement each other powerfully.
However, while ITIL and ITSM go hand in hand, it’s important to remember that they have differences. Combining them to implement efficient processes is an excellent idea for modern businesses aiming to enhance their technology strategies and focus on delivering business value.
That’s why it’s essential to integrate these practices within a broader organizational management model. This is where the concept of a System of Work (SoW) becomes relevant. SoW provides a structured approach to aligning activities and deliverables with business objectives, streamlining processes, and boosting efficiency.
In this article, we’ll explore the key differences between ITIL and ITSM, highlight their main benefits, and show how Jira Service Management can be used as a powerful tool to unlock their full potential.
ITSM and ITIL: a quick overview
To put it simply, ITSM is the umbrella covering all aspects of IT management. It involves the activities, policies, and processes necessary to plan, deliver, manage, and improve IT services. In contrast, ITIL serves as a best-practice guide for managing these services, always aiming to create value for the business and its customers.
In summary, ITSM covers the full spectrum of IT management, from planning to support, while ITIL provides a structured set of practices to manage these services effectively.
Moving beyond traditional textbook concepts and bringing it into real-world application, here’s a practical way to look at it: to implement efficient IT Service Management (ITSM), ITIL can be your foundation.
Adaptability and flexibility: the key to IT success
One major advantage of ITSM is its adaptability. It’s not limited to a single framework and can incorporate ITIL, COBIT, ISO 20000, and others. This flexibility allows organizations to shape practices to fit their specific needs.
Meanwhile, ITIL applied through a blend of processes, technology, and people ensures that IT services are delivered efficiently and aligned with business goals. Integrating these frameworks with a System of Work approach can drive even better outcomes, as SoW consistently connects these practices to strategic objectives in a structured way.
ITIL vs ITSM: real benefits of implementation
Recent studies have shown that companies adopting ITSM practices, particularly when combined with ITIL, report numerous benefits.
Some of the most notable include:
- Stronger strategic alignment: SoW enhances this benefit by linking operational outputs directly to organizational goals.
- Fewer service disruptions: Process standardization, enabled by ITIL and SoW, reduces operational failures.
- Improved productivity: SoW’s emphasis on operational efficiency amplifies ITSM benefits.
It’s important to note that ITIL is not a magic bullet: to succeed with ITSM implementation, the focus must remain on the business’s needs. Following processes strictly “by the book” isn’t necessary.
ITIL is a guide, and the latest version emphasizes this vision through its guiding principles:
“The idea behind these principles is that they embody the core messages of ITIL and service management in general, supporting sound decision-making and successful actions of all kinds at all levels during the adoption and adaptation of management practices.” — Based on the ITIL 4 framework, published by AXELOS.
ITIL provides a roadmap, a logical structure tested by organizations worldwide. But to apply it successfully, you must understand the business it’s supporting, including its needs, specific context, and regulatory or audit requirements, so you can tailor a strategy that fits.
Is Jira Service Management ITSM or ITIL?
Built on ITIL best practices, Jira Service Management is one of today’s leading ITSM platforms. By supporting ITIL-aligned processes, it gives modern organizations a robust solution to manage their IT services in a collaborative, efficient, and agile way.
As a highly customizable tool, Jira Service Management allows you to build smart, integrated, and optimized processes that align with your operations. This means you can design workflows tailored to your specific needs, leveraging powerful capabilities such as automation and AI to deliver ITSM that is fast, reliable, and high quality.
ITSM based on ITIL with Jira: best of both worlds
Although closely related, ITIL and ITSM serve different purposes in IT service management. ITIL provides a detailed framework for improving specific processes, while ITSM offers a broader, more flexible approach to IT service delivery.
By incorporating the System of Work concept, you can take these practices to the next level. SoW enables organizations to connect day-to-day tasks with long-term objectives, driving stronger strategic alignment, operational efficiency, and cross-team collaboration.
With Jira Service Management, modern organizations can implement these practices in an integrated way, maximizing IT outcomes and consistently delivering business value. By designing smart processes to optimize IT operations, you’ll ensure faster, more traceable, and audit-compliant service management, with strong data privacy and governance.

Ready to transform your IT operations? At e-Core, we help teams elevate their technology services to new levels of efficiency and agility. Reach out today to learn how we can customize solutions to meet your business’s unique needs!

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