HDI Desktop Support Manager

HDI Desktop Support Manager

Course Overview

This certification verifies that the desktop support manager possesses the knowledge of best and common practices necessary to manage the operational and tactical components of a support organization while strategically aligning with the needs of the business.

Desktop support involves more than just supporting desktops. It includes support for laptops, notebooks, printers, and other devices that require face-to-face support. The desktop support manager is responsible for executing the operational and tactical plans of desktop support while satisfying customer and business needs.

Designed for both new and experienced desktop support managers, this course helps leaders meet operational demands and build a support function that aligns with the organization, adds value to the business, and delivers on its commitments.

What You Will Learn

  • Characteristics of an effective desktop support manager
  • How to create and deliver on service level agreements and operating level agreements
  • How to align desktop support services with business strategy, objectives, and processes
  • The importance of relationships among IT service management processes
  • Tactics for screening, hiring, training, and leading high-performance teams
  • How to create an internal marketing culture to promote desktop support services
  • Metrics and key performance indicators essential to desktop support performance reporting

Who Should Attend?

  • Experienced technical support professionals who manage the day-to-day functions of desktop support and must master critical performance and customer service strategies
  • Individuals preparing for the HDI Desktop Support Manager certification exam

Upcoming Classes

Start DateEnd DateLocation
Feb 7, 2022Feb 9, 2022Virtual
Mar 30, 2022Apr 1, 2022Virtual
Jun 22, 2022Jun 24, 2022Virtual
Aug 10, 2022Aug 12, 2022Virtual
Oct 17, 2022Oct 19, 2022Virtual
Dec 7, 2022Dec 9, 2022Virtual

Course Curriculum

Unit 1: Desktop Support

  • The evolution of support
  • Support center maturity
  • Successful desktop support

Unit 2: Strategy

  • Strategic perspective
  • Business alignment
  • Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT)

Unit 3: IT Financial Management

  • IT financial management
  • Cost, value, and ROI

Unit 4: Technology and Service Support

  • Service desk infrastructure
  • Telephony infrastructure
  • Desktop support delivery methods
  • Service management systems
  • Selecting service desk technology

Unit 5: Service Level Management

  • Service level management

Unit 6: Metrics and Quality Assurance

  • Desktop support metrics
  • Data sources
  • Baselining and benchmarking
  • Performance reporting
  • Quality assurance programs
  • Measuring customer satisfaction
  • Measuring employee satisfaction

Unit 7: Desktop Support Processes

  • Best practices for support
  • IT service management
  • The service desk
  • Service operations
  • Service design
  • Service transition
  • Knowledge management

Unit 8: Leadership

  • Responsibilities as a desktop support manager
  • Your role as leader
  • Managing operations effectively
  • Emotional intelligence
  • Communication
  • Influence and motivation
  • Integrity and service ethics
  • Growth

Unit 9: Workforce Management

  • Workforce management
  • Staffing models
  • Scheduling
  • Sourcing
  • Recruitment

Unit 10: Training and Retention

  • Training and retention
  • Fostering relationships
  • Teamwork
  • Coaching
  • Peer mentoring
  • Training
  • Rewards, motivation, and retention
  • Performance management
  • Career development planning

Unit 11: Promoting Desktop Support

  • What is marketing?
  • Creating an internal marketing culture
  • Marketing opportunities

Certification Exam Details

The certification exam is included with training purchased. It may also be purchased separately. The exam must be completed within 12 weeks of purchase.

The certification exam is based on the HDI Desktop Support Manager (HDI-DSM) Certification Standard and is delivered online through the HDI Learning Center.

Each exam consists of 65 multiple choice questions and must be completed in 75 minutes. A minimum score of 80 percent is required to pass a certification exam, unless otherwise published. Individuals who achieve the passing score will receive a certificate from HDI acknowledging their accomplishment and a credentialing logo that may be added to signature blocks and business cards.

Our courses are developed from the certification standards and are designed to assist a student in preparing for an HDI certification exam. They reinforce the core concepts of the certification standards and provide skills-building opportunities for the attendees.

Exam Format

  • Type: Multiple choice
  • Number of Questions: 65
  • Time Limit: 75 minutes
  • Passing Score: 80% (unless otherwise published)

Exam Weighting

The certification exam is randomly generated from a pool of pre-authorized exam questions. As a result, each certification exam is different. The questions have been classified by the categories of the HDI Standard. The certification exam is designed to test the candidate’s knowledge in each category.

The number of questions presented from each category is based on the certification weighting. When the time available to study prior to taking a certification exam is limited, consider the certification weighting and review the categories with the highest allocations.

The following table represents the weighting for each of the standards categories within the certification exam. This information is provided to help you focus as you prepare for the exam.

CategoryWeighting %
Leadership15%
Policy and Strategy25%
People Management15%
Resources15%
Process and Procedures20%
Performance Results10%

Exam Extensions

A 28-day extension is available for an online exam.

Exam Retakes

Exam retakes can be purchased for a fee.