ISO 20000 Service Management System Policy template

Dec 13, 2023by Maya G

What is the service management system (SMS) policy?

The service management system (SMS) policy is a document that provides high-level guidance on the organization's approach to service management. The SMS policy defines the objectives and general philosophy of the service organization. It is approved by senior management and used by all employees to guide their actions.

Service Management System Policy, MS word, ISO 20000 Service Management System Policy

Developing an SMS policy is essential in implementing a service management system (SMS). The SMS policy provides a foundation for developing other SMS components, such as the service catalog, service level agreements, and processes. The SMS policy is also a key input to extending the service strategy.
The SMS policy should be reviewed and updated regularly to ensure that it remains relevant to the organization’s changing needs.

The ISO/ IEC 20000 standard is the first international standard for service management. It was developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) based on the best practices laid out in the ITIL framework. The standard provides a comprehensive, process-based approach to managing services, and it covers all aspects of service delivery, from design and transition to operation and improvement.

The ITIL framework is a widely used set of best practices for service management developed by the UK government's Office of Government Commerce (OGC). ITIL guides how to effectively manage services throughout their lifecycle, from strategy and design to delivery and continual improvement.
Service management is a relatively new discipline with no single definition. However, several frameworks and standards effectively guide managing services, including the Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) and the ISO/IEC 20000 standard.

What's the purpose of a Service management system (SMS)?

A service management system (SMS) is a comprehensive system that helps organizations to plan, deliver, and control their services. It consists of interconnected processes and IT infrastructure that enable the delivery of services to customers. SMS helps organizations to ensure that their services are delivered seamlessly and efficiently. The components of SMS include:

  1. Service design
  2. Service delivery
  3. Service Level Management
  4. Capacity Management
  5. ITIL Service Transition
  6. Continual Service Improvement

What are the requirements for the service management system (SMS) policy?

A service management system (SMS) policy is a set of requirements that must be met for an organization to provide reliable and consistent services. The criteria of SMS policy are:

  1. Service Level Agreement (SLA): The SLA defines the customers’ expectations and sets the parameters within which the services will be delivered.
  2. Capacity Management: Capacity management is a process that ensures that the service provider has adequate resources to meet the demands of the customers.
  3. Availability Management: Availability management is a process that ensures that the services are available when needed.
  4. Incident Management: Incident management is a process that deals with the identification, analysis, and resolution of incidents.
  5. Problem Management: Problem management is a process that deals with the identification, analysis, and resolution of problems.
  6. Change Management: Change management is a process that ensures that changes to the infrastructure are made in a controlled and safe manner.


List the critical aspect of the service management system (SMS) policy :

ISO 20000
Service Management System Policy, MS word. Iso 20000

Service management system (SMS) policies are essential for businesses that want to ensure the quality of their services. SMS policies can help companies to improve service delivery, reduce service disruptions, and improve customer satisfaction.

There are a few critical aspects of SMS policy:

1. Defining the scope of the SMS

An SMS is a framework of policies and procedures that are put in place to manage services. It includes methods for planning, designing, transitioning, operating, and improving services. An organization may decide to implement an SMS to enhance its efficiency or to meet specific industry standards.
Once an organization has decided to implement an SMS, it is essential to define the scope of the system.

  • One way to define the scope of an SMS is to develop a scope statement. A scope statement is a document that describes the boundaries of the project. It should include a description of the services in the system and those not. The scope statement should also have a timeline for implementation and a list of resources that will be required.
  • Another way to define the scope of an SMS is to create a service portfolio. A service portfolio is a document that lists all the services that an organization offers. In addition, it includes a description of each service, its objectives, and its benefits. The service portfolio can help organizations understand which services should be included in their SMS.
  • Once the scope of an SMS has been defined, it is essential to develop policies and procedures for managing the system. These policies and practices will help to ensure that the system runs smoothly and that services are.

2. Establishing service-level agreements

Service Level Agreements (SLAs) are formal agreements between a service provider and a customer that specify the acceptable service level. The purpose of an SLA is to define the minimum adequate level of service that the customer can expect from the provider. SLAs are an essential part of Service Management Systems (SMSs), as they provide a way to measure and track the service provider’s performance. SLAs are important for SMSs because they provide a way to measure the service provider’s performance. By monitoring the service provider's performance, SMSs can identify areas where the provider is not meeting the customer's expectations. This information can be used to improve the quality of service by making changes to the way the provider delivers services.

SLAs can also be used to improve customer satisfaction. For example, if a customer is not satisfied with the level of service they are receiving, they can use the SLA to hold the service provider accountable. In this way, SLAs help ensures that service providers deliver services at a level that meets the needs of their customers.

3. Creating and maintaining service catalogs

The service catalog is a critical service management system (SMS) component. It provides a clear and concise overview of the services offered by the SMS and sets out the expectations for service delivery.
An effective service catalog will:
• Clearly define the services offered by the SMS
• Set out the expectations for service delivery
• Help to ensure that services are delivered consistently

4. Defining roles and responsibilities

Service management is designing, creating, delivering, and improving services that meet customers' needs. A service management system (SMS) is a set of policies and processes that help an organization manage its service business. The SMS policy defines the roles and responsibilities of the individuals and groups involved in service management. It also provides a framework for how service management should be conducted within the organization. Service management helps organizations plan, design, deliver, and improve their services. They also allow service providers to track and report on service performance. Standard service management tools include service catalogs, service portfolios, and service-level agreements (SLAs)

5. Implementing continuous improvement processes

To maintain a high-quality service, continuously improving the processes is essential. This is especially true for service management systems (SMS), which need to adapt to changes in the environment and user needs constantly. Implementing continuous improvement processes in SMS policy can help to ensure that the system remains effective and efficient over time. There are several ways to approach continuous improvement in SMS policy. One common approach is the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle, also known as the Deming Cycle. This cycle provides a structured way to identify and implement improvements in a system.

The PDCA cycle consists of four steps:

  1. Plan: The first step is identifying areas where improvements can be made. This may involve conducting audits or surveys, reviewing performance data, or talking to employees and customers.
  2. Do: The next step is to implement changes in the system. This may involve changing policies or procedures, training employees, or changing the physical environment.
  3. Check: The third step is to monitor the effects of the changes made in the previous step. This may involve collecting data on performance, customer satisfaction, or employee satisfaction.
  4. Act: The fourth and final step is to adjust based on the results of the previous efforts. This may involve making further changes to the system, revising plans, or modifying targets.

What are the benefits of the service management system (SMS) policy?

In any organization, service management is administering and delivering services to customers. A service management system (SMS) is a framework that helps organizations to manage their benefits. SMS policy is a set of guidelines that dictate how an organization's SMS should be designed and implemented.
It helps businesses to provide better quality service to their customers, and simultaneously, it allows companies to save time and money. The benefits of the SMS policy are many and varied, but some of the most notable benefits include the following:

  1. Improved quality of service: SMS policy helps businesses improve the service quality they provide to their customers. By setting standards for service delivery and monitoring service quality, companies can ensure that their customers receive the best possible service.
  2. Increased customer satisfaction: SMS policy also helps businesses to increase customer satisfaction. By setting standards for service delivery and monitoring service quality, companies can ensure that their customers receive the best possible service. This, in turn, leads to increased customer loyalty and repeat business.
  3. Reduced operational costs: SMS policy can also help businesses to reduce their operating costs. By setting standards for service delivery and monitoring service quality, companies can eliminate or minimize the need for costly repairs and replacements.
ISO 20000