How should the ITIL Guiding Principle ' optimize and automate ' be applied?

The guiding principle “optimize and automate” should be applied by optimizing processes before automating them, so option B is correct. ITIL warns against automating poor or unnecessary activities because automation can make waste faster and more expensive instead of improving value. Organizations should first understand the workflow, remove unnecessary complexity, simplify where possible, and confirm that the process supports desired outcomes. Only then should they automate appropriate parts of the work. Automation should complement human capabilities, not blindly replace people in every function. Some activities still require judgment, empathy, creativity, and contextual understanding. This principle reflects ITIL’s broader emphasis on practicality, value, and continual improvement. Optimization ensures the work is worth doing, and automation then helps deliver it more efficiently, consistently, and at scale.