itSMF USA have recently published the priSM program (Professional Recognition for IT Service Management). Extolling the virtues of their scheme is the who's who of itSMF USA.

With four levels of priSM qualification (Associated, Member, Professional and Fellow) linked to experience, continuing education the program looks robust enough and the itSMF appear to be a logical group to run it.

However, what about the long awaited ITIL Masters program from APMG. Still no news about the v3 Masters program (for those that are unaware it is a level above ITIL (v3) Expert and would appear to be a "by invitation after application select members only" club. Are these two programs (especially the itSMF Fellow) on a collision course.

I am sure that the itSMF will argue that theirs is a more esoteric membership where Fellows join an "enlightened" group that see way beyond methodologies and that the APMG program is linked inextricably to ITIL.

My question - is that a view of APMG - big time financial supporters of the itSMF?

We shall see, perhaps the APMG have failed to move quickly enough to define their Masters program and get the word into the marketplace. Yet again - time will reveal all.