ISO/IEC 20000-3:2012 is useful for service providers, consultants and assessors. It includes practical guidance on scope definition, applicability and demonstration of conformity to the requirements in ISO/IEC 20000-1. Guidance on the different types of conformity assessment and assessment standards is included.

Although the requirements in ISO/IEC 20000-1 do not change with organizational structure, technology or service, operating the processes in a particular service environment will result in specific skill, tool and information requirements. Service management processes can cross many organizational, legal and national boundaries as well as different time zones. Service providers can provide a range of services to several different types of customers, both internal and external. Service providers can also depend on a complex supply chain for the delivery of services. This dependency can make the agreement and application of scope a complex stage in the service provider's use of ISO/IEC 20000-1.

ISO/IEC 20000-3:2012 will assist in establishing if ISO/IEC 20000-1 is applicable to a service provider's circumstances. It illustrates how the scope of an SMS can be defined, irrespective of whether the reader has experience of defining the scope of other management systems. The guidance takes the form of practical examples, typical scenarios and recommendations.

ISO/IEC 20000-3:2012 also assists in planning service improvements and in preparation for a conformity assessment against ISO/IEC 20000-1. It supplements the guidance on the application of ISO/IEC 20000-1 given in ISO/IEC 20000-2.