Service Management Functions in an IT Lifecycle
Candidates can be certified for the MOF version 4 material. MOF 4.0 incorporates a structure of service management functions (SMFs) in a single, complete IT lifecycle, consisting of three phases and one layer. Version 4.0 emphasizes outcomes, results and roles that are needed to synchronize IT with business goals and demands. The Team Model is an SMF in the manage layer so that roles and accountabilities are taken into consideration throughout the lifecycle. MOF 4.0 includes issues of governance as well as an approach to service improvement which encourages community involvement.

Target group
MOF Foundation is aimed at professionals who operate IT Services and those who want to become involved in this discipline. The target group consists of operational staff and managers wishing to extend, after having obtained their Foundation Certificate in IT Service Management, their knowledge of IT Service Management with a more specific approach to Operations Management. An important part of this target group consists of operational staff wanting to combine their (technical) knowledge of products with an understanding of IT Service Management. After obtaining the Foundation Certificate in IT Service Management (ITIL® Foundation) the MOF Foundation Certificate offers them a logical choice for a more specific implementation of IT Service Management.

Independent exam 
EXIN develops the MOF examination for the following certificate:  Foundation Certificate in Microsoft Operations Framework (MOF Foundation).

Supporting Publications
Using MOF for ISO/IEC 20000 (pdf) - published by Microsoft, May 2009
This guide will help IT management, staff, and service providers to understand ISO/IEC 20000 requirements and help them use MOF as a means to streamlined and efficient implementation. The guide enables users to take informed steps toward ISO/IEC implementation, make cost-reducing process improvements, and increase organizational efficiency and flexibility. Ultimately, the steps outlined in this guide will help an organization meet ISO/IEC 20000 requirements and deliver effective IT services.

Cross Reference ITIL V3 and MOF 4.0. (pdf) - published by Microsoft, May 2009 
This guide compares the similarities and differences between two of the leading service management frameworks: the IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL) and Microsoft Operations Framework. In an environment where IT organizations are challenged as never before to deliver better IT services at lower costs, these service management frameworks offer best practice guidance for service improvement. This guide provides background information on IT Service Management (ITSM), introduces ITIL and MOF, and then discusses the two frameworks' alignment, cross referencing, and application. It will enhance readers' understanding of the main characteristics of these frameworks and how they align.

Help Customers Save Money and Boost IT Service Reliability with MOF 4.0 (pdf) - published in the Microsoft newsletter, November 2008