Considering the operation phase as from the JERICO-CORE service design is crucial due to several compelling reasons. This approach places users’ expectations and satisfactions at the heart of the design. It allows designers to anticipate potential challenges and to streamline processes. It enhances efficiency, success and sustainability of the delivered service. It ensures a smooth transition and seamless integration of the systems from the development phase to the operation phase. Moreover, considering the operation phase from the design facilitates the robust implementation of the access and security policies (Deliverable D3.1). Finally, it allows understanding the operational requirements and anticipating the requested resources. In brief, taking the operation phase into account during the design is imperative for the JERICO-CORE long-term success. It allows for anticipatory problem-solving, optimization of resources, enhancement of security, and ultimately results in a more resilient, user-friendly, and cost-effective IT service. This "Preliminary operational plan for e-JERICO/JERICO-CORE service delivery" is a comprehensive guide explaining how ITIL best practices do seamlessly integrate and coordinate these different challenges. It considers the establishment of a service desk, efficient IT operations management, effective application management, thorough technical management, and meticulous IT facilities management. Furthermore, the plan outlines processes such as service portfolio and service catalogue management, information security management, knowledge management, release and deployment management, monitoring and event management, incident and problem management, user request fulfilment, and access management.