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Purpose of the Planning, Protection and Optimization Module

The Planning, Protection and Optimization (PPO) module is one of the certifications in the ITIL® v3 Service Capability workstream. The module focuses on the practical application of PPO practices in order enable capacity, availability, IT service continuity, information security and demand management.

The content of the course is based mainly on the best practice guidance contained in the ITIL v3 Service Design publication.

The PPO course is designed to develop organizations’ and individuals’ understanding of the ITIL v3 Service Design processes. It can help ensure that new and updated services, service management systems and tools, technology architecture, processes and measurement systems, methods and metrics are designed to meet user needs and will require little further change once introduced.

Target Audience

The Planning, Protection and Optimization qualification would suit candidates in the following IT professions or areas:

  • Capacity Manager
  • Availability Manager
  • Change Manager
  • Security Administrator
  • Applications Support
  • IT Operations Manager
  • Network Control and Operation
  • Network Support
  • Business Continuity Manager
  • Security Manager
  • Service Portfolio Manager
  • Supplier Relationship Manager.

This information is a guide only, and choices will depend on the candidate's individual career goals and objectives. 

ITIL Credit System

Under the ITIL Credit System, you must earn a number of credits from each ITIL certification to progress to the next level within the ITIL scheme.

The PPO module is worth four credits towards the minimum of 17 required to progress to the Managing Across the Lifecycle module, which is the final step before the ITIL Expert Level.

Credits obtained from the PPO qualification may not be combined with the credits obtained from the IPPI Practitioner module towards an ITIL Expert Level application due to the high level of content overlap.

See our ITIL Credit System page for more information.

Exam Format

  • Multiple choice examination questions
  • Eight questions per paper
  • 28 marks required to pass (out of 40 available) - 70%
  • 90 minutes’ duration
  • Closed book.

Taking the Planning, Protection and Optimization Exam

The Planning, Protection and Optimization certification can only be taken as part of an accredited training course.

Key Resources