PMI vs. ITIL: How Are They Different?

Matthew Kabik | June 26, 2012

Often in IT we assume that everyone knows what everyone else does “ but Fahrudin Golos knows that’s not always the case. Responding to a recent email where a reader asked for clarity in the differences and similarities between PMI and ITIL, Golos decided to create a blog series exploring the history, importance, and processes associated with each. It is from that effort that this blog post has been created, first explaining a distinct feature of PMI and ITIL:

PMI and ITIL are mutually exclusive, meaning you can have a performing organization using ITIL organizational structure without using PMI methodology OR you can have a performing organization using the PMI methodology without using the ITIL organizational structure. There is real synergy when both are implemented, endorsed, and supported by senior management. A very important point must be made. If Senior Management does not fully support the PMI approach and the ITIL structure, they both have a low probability of succeeding.

The blog post moves on from there, highlighting what defines a project in the PMI and ITIL worlds, how they are alike in the demand specific approach, structure and process.

For instance, PMI defines projects as things that:

Are temporary – have a specific start and end date
Produce a unique product, service, or result
Use “progressive elaboration.”

ITIL on the other hand, is less focused on what makes a project and is much more focused on the framework for best practices and quality. While both can be mutually exclusive, that doesn’t mean an organization can’t benefit from elements of both.