These ‘specialised organisational capabilities’ include the processes, activities,
functions and roles that a service provider uses in delivering services to their customers, as well as the ability to establish suitable organisation structures, manage knowledge, and understand how to facilitate outcomes that create value.
Although there is no single definition of a profession, it is widely accepted that the word profession applies where a group of people share common standards and disciplines based on a high level of knowledge and skills, which are gained from organised education schemes supported by training through experience
and are measured and recognised through formal qualifications. Moreover, a
profession seeks to use its influence through the development of good practice guidance and advice in order to improve the standard of performance in its given field.
Service management has a clear right to regard itself as a profession, and the exercise of service management disciplines as professional practice performed and supported by a global community drawn from all market sectors. There is a rich body of knowledge and experience including formal schemes for the education of individuals.