Decomposing the Business Process Framework (“eTOM”) to Lower Levels

Off to China last week on a consulting assignment, but did conduct an eTOM decomposition seminar while I was there, to assist with the member’s development of Level 4 Billing processes.  The topic and content may be of interest to many eTOM implementers.  So, I thought I would post this in between training assignments.

But, first a little about the food in China, a country I have been visiting for the last five months.  What a variety –cuts of beef, pork, chicken and types of seafood, vegetables, and fruit, from the mild to the extremely spicy.  Last week I had my first encounter with jelly fish and chicken feet…tasty!  And, my hosts say that I am getting quite proficient with chopsticks.

OK, on to the business at hand.

The current eTOM decomposition stops at Level 3.  Thinking was that organizational specific extensions would be added below this level.  However, as Mike Kelly, Andy Chalmers, and I developed the eTOM Implementer’s workshop and the book (The eTOM:  A Business Process Framework Implementer’s Guide), written by Mike and I and published this past May, we realized something.  The descriptions of the processes along with other techniques could be used to “push” the eTOM to lower levels of decomposition.  In advance of getting the techniques into GB921U, which are only currently taught and published, I created a contribution and submitted it on the eTOM community.  It may be of interest to members who don’t have the book or haven’t attended the workshop.

It can be found at… http://www.tmforum.org/Community/groups/the_business_process_framework/contributions.aspx

You may also be interested in the Level 4 work that is being published as part of a guide book that describes and explains the use of inter Solution Framework mappings.  It includes Level 4 processes that have been developed by the eTOM/SID mapping team in the Fulfillment and Assurance verticals of the eTOM.

This guide book in draft form (the official guide book will include all the Level 4s as the draft only includes examples at this time) can be found at… http://www.tmforum.org/Community/groups/integration_framework/contributions.aspx

Why not apply the guidelines and make a contribution, or consider obtaining the book or attending the workshop so you can practice!

My next adventure will take me to India the week of 12^th Oct.  Look for another installment shortly thereafter.