When someone decides to eat out at a restaurant, often the first request they make is to see a menu. A menu provides a list of available items, sides, beverages and other options for the discerning gourmet to consider. And when something catches his or her fancy, they can easily inform the server as to their choice without having to explain in any detail. It’s an easy process, and one that most people are very familiar with.
An IT service catalog functions similarly to a restaurant menu. It allows users to browse through available IT services, hardware, software and support options. And, like a menu, it should be clearly structured and user friendly. IT service catalogs may be designed for any relevant stakeholders, from the customers themselves, to those within the organisation that may need support or easy-access to resources to deliver on customer-facing services or otherwise perform their duties.