ITIL 4 Foundation Practice Exam 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

To retire a service or product means to permanently withdraw it from use. This involves a formal decision, often accompanied by a planned process, to stop offering the service or product to customers. Retiring a service can occur for various reasons, such as the introduction of newer services, changes in customer demands, or the service no longer meeting business objectives.

The retirement process usually includes notifying affected stakeholders, ensuring that any contractual obligations are met, and providing alternatives or migration paths for users if applicable. It signifies a strategic decision within the service management lifecycle, aiming to enhance the overall value and efficiency of the service portfolio.

This action is distinct from other activities such as upgrading a service, where enhancements are made to improve functionality, or temporarily suspending a service, which implies the service may be reinstated later. Additionally, transferring ownership involves changing the responsible party for the service but does not imply it is being discontinued.