ITIL 4 Foundation Practice Exam

What does throughput measure in ITIL?

1. The time taken to complete a project.

2. The efficiency of internal processes.

3. The amount of work performed by a system over a period.

4. The number of users accessing a service.

The correct answer is: The amount of work performed by a system over a period.

Throughput in ITIL specifically measures the amount of work that a system can perform over a designated period of time. This concept is critical in understanding how effectively a service manages its outputs in relation to its inputs. High throughput indicates that the system can handle a larger volume of transactions or activities, reflecting its performance capabilities. In the context of IT service management, monitoring throughput helps organizations assess whether their services are meeting demand and identify potential areas for improvement in efficiency and resource allocation. By analyzing throughput, businesses can make informed decisions to optimize their operations, ensure that resources are utilized effectively, and ultimately improve service delivery. The other options address different aspects of performance measurement but do not encapsulate what throughput specifically entails. For example, measuring the time taken to complete a project relates more to time efficiency rather than the volume of work done. Additionally, assessing the efficiency of internal processes focuses on how well those processes run rather than the output itself. Lastly, counting the number of users accessing a service pertains more to user experience and service access but does not provide insights into the system's work capacity. Each of these is important in its own right, but throughput distinctly emphasizes quantity and performance over time.