The best way to start working on developing new services while addressing the issues faced by the IT department is to develop a clear understanding of the customers’ intended goals and expectations, and track each of them from start to finish to ensure that the service supports the required outcomes. This is because ITIL 4 emphasizes the importance of co-creating value with customers and focusing on the outcomes that they need and want, rather than just the outputs that the service provider delivers1. By understanding the customers’ goals and expectations, the IT department can design and deliver services that are aligned with the customer’s needs, preferences, and context, and that provide value for both parties2. Moreover, by tracking the customers’ goals and expectations throughout the service lifecycle, the IT department can ensure that the service remains relevant, effective, and efficient, and that any changes or improvements are based on customer feedback and satisfaction3.

Developing a clear set of system requirements and tracking each of them from start to finish to ensure that the delivered service meets the stated requirements (option A) is not the best way to start working on developing new services, because it focuses on the functional aspects of the service, rather than the outcomes that the customer values. System requirements are the specifications of what the service should do, but they do not necessarily reflect the customer’s needs, wants, and context. Therefore, a service that meets the system requirements may not meet the customer’s expectations or provide value for them4.

Involve senior management as early as possible to define requirements and help with ‘organizational change management’ to ensure successful implementation of the service (option C) is not the best way to start working on developing new services, because it does not involve the customer in the service design and delivery process. Senior management may have a different perspective and agenda than the customer, and may not fully understand the customer’s goals and expectations. Therefore, involving senior management alone may not result in a service that meets the customer’s needs or provides value for them. Moreover, organizational change management is a process that helps the organization adapt to changes in the internal or external environment, but it does not necessarily address the issues faced by the IT department in developing new services.

Assess and improve capabilities of IT teams prioritizing areas that are required to deliver the service in a way that meets customer expectations (option D) is not the best way to start working on developing new services, because it assumes that the IT department already knows what the customer expects from the service. However, without developing a clear understanding of the customer’s goals and expectations, the IT department may not be able to identify the areas that need improvement or the capabilities that are required to deliver the service in a way that meets customer expectations. Therefore, assessing and improving capabilities of IT teams is a secondary step that should follow after developing a clear understanding of the customer’s goals and expectations.

Therefore, the best way to start working on developing new services while addressing the issues faced by the IT department is to develop a clear understanding of the customers’ intended goals and expectations, and track each of them from start to finish to ensure that the service supports the required outcomes.