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Business Process

Framework
Enhanced Telecom Operations Map® (eTOM)

Release Notes for Release 8.0


GB921
Version 0.8

October, 2008

©TM Forum 2008


Business Process Framework (eTOM) Release 8.0 Solution Suite Release Notes

Notice
No recipient of this document shall in any way interpret this document as representing a position or
agreement of the TeleManagement Forum (TM Forum) or its members. This document is a draft
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Business Process Framework (eTOM) Release 8.0 Solution Suite Release Notes

Table of Contents
Notice.................................................................................................................................................................. 2 
Table of Contents ............................................................................................................................................. 3 
1. Getting Started .............................................................................................................................................. 4 
1.1.  Getting Started With the Business Process Framework (eTOM).zip........................................... 4 
2. Overview of Business Process Framework (eTOM) Release 8.0 ......................................................... 5 
2.1.  Summary of changes in this release.............................................................................................. 6 
3. Release Definition ......................................................................................................................................... 8 
3.1.  Document Release Description ..................................................................................................... 8 
3.2.  Model Release Description (if applicable) ..................................................................................... 9 
4. Linkages to other Projects/Products....................................................................................................... 10 
5. Administrative Appendix ........................................................................................................................... 11 
5.1.  Document History ......................................................................................................................... 11 
5.1.1.  Version History ...................................................................................................................... 11 
5.1.2.  Release History ..................................................................................................................... 11 
5.2.  About TM Forum .......................................................................................................................... 11 

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Business Process Framework (eTOM) Release 8.0 Solution Suite Release Notes

1. Getting Started
This document provides guidance on how to get started in using and applying the
Business Process Framework (eTOM), by describing the contents of the .zip files that
make up this release of the eTOM framework and the order in which the contained
documents should be read.

1.1. Getting Started With the Business


Process Framework (eTOM).zip

This release has been packaged up into two ZIP files. The purpose for this is to help
those who are not familiar with the Business Process Framework, identify where to
start. The two Zip files are as follows:

Getting Started with Business Process Framework Release 8-0.zip: This file
contains three documents that should be read in the order specified below.

1. GB921P - an “eTOM Primer” that introduces the Business Process


Framework (eTOM) and shows benefits, areas of use, etc.

2. GB921 Concepts and Principles - provides an overview of the SID, the SID
Framework, SID and eTOM mappings, as well as snapshots of key SID
model components

3. GB921U - User Guidelines covering conventions and techniques for applying


the eTOM framework

Business Process Framework Release 8-0 Addenda Files.zip: This file contains
all remaining addenda associated with the Business Process Framework. The reader
should identify the area of importance to him/her and select the appropriate file.

It should also be noted that the Business Process Framework model files for this
release are also available in a separate posting.

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Business Process Framework (eTOM) Release 8.0 Solution Suite Release Notes

2. Overview of Business Process Framework (eTOM) Release 8.0


The Business Process Framework (commonly known as eTOM) is the ongoing TM
Forum initiative to deliver a business process model or framework for use by service
providers and others within the telecommunications industry.

This Release 8.0 of the eTOM Framework builds on previous releases, with updates
in three main areas:
o Implementation of Recommendations of the previously-published TR143
“Building Bridges, ITIL & eTOM” to embed ITIL processes in eTOM
o Process updates affecting the “Billing” column in Operations, reflecting
updates from Global Billing Association work, through the Revenue
Management Team
o Introduction of a new GB921G document, “Guide to Applying the Business
Process Framework (eTOM)”, that provides advice and guidance for eTOM
users. This is a working document and is expected to evolve through review
and comment following this publication.
The eTOM Business Process Framework has grown to include a number of
components. The overall eTOM document set now includes:

o A main document (GB921) that provides an overview of the eTOM


Business Process Framework, from both Intra-Enterprise and Inter-
Enterprise viewpoints, and describes the main structural elements
and approach
o An Addendum (GB921D) describing the Service Provider enterprise
processes and sub-processes in a form that is top down, customer-
centric, and end-to-end focused. Process decompositions are
provided for all processes from the highest conceptual view of the
eTOM framework to the level of detail agreed for use by the industry.
o An Addendum (GB921F) describing selected process flows at
several levels of view and detail that provides end-to-end insight into
the application of eTOM.
o An Addendum (GB921B) describing the implications and impact of e-
business for service providers and their business relationships, and
how eTOM supports them, including a description of handling of
business-to-business Interactions by eTOM. Associated with this is a
separate Application Note (GB921C) describing a Business
Operations Map for processes involved in business-to-business
interaction
o An Addendum (GB921G) providing information and guidance to users in
how the eTOM framework can be applied within businesses, and the

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Business Process Framework (eTOM) Release 8.0 Solution Suite Release Notes

implications for maintaining alignment with this when extensions and/or


adaptations are made in the course of this.
o An Addendum (GB921P) providing an “eTOM Primer” to assist new
users of eTOM
o A separate Application Note (GB921R) that provides a way of
sharing information on Real World Case Studies in applying eTOM,
with specific material reflecting the experience of individual
companies in using eTOM (and NGOSS)
o A separate Application Note (GB921U) that provides some
guidelines to assist users of eTOM in applying this within their
businesses
o A separate Application Note (GB921V) that shows how eTOM can
be used to model the ITIL processes (this supersedes the previous
GB912L)
o A separate Application Note (GB921T) that shows how eTOM
processes relate to the functional view provided by the ITU-T M.3400
Recommendation (this work was developed in conjunction with ITU-
T within the joint Telecom Management Collaboration Focus Group)

2.1. Summary of changes in this


release

Element CR Detailed Description


(sub-suite or individual Number
document of a suite as (if
appropriate) applicable)
GB921 Concepts and Small administrative changes to acknowledge the new/changed documents
Principles in the overall GB921 package, name changed to “Concepts and Principles”
to harmonize across frameworks.

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Business Process Framework (eTOM) Release 8.0 Solution Suite Release Notes

GB921D 14 ITIL processes are being added to support integrated application of


eTOM with ITIL. The mechanism used ensures that existing eTOM
processes (ie all those other than these new ITIL processes) are not directly
impacted by the inclusion of the new ITIL processes. Only where users
decide that they wish to use the eTOM framework, and also to align with
ITIL good practice, do the relevant identified ITIL requirements come into
play, and influence existing behavior. There is therefore no disruption of
existing eTOM content. Details on this are provided in the full update (see
accompanying documents).
The Revenue Management updates are contained to a single existing Level
2 process element, “Rating & Discounting” which is renamed to “Charging”
with a scope that includes the previous Rating & Discounting together with
other, less-traditional revenue management aspects. Existing Level 3s
within “Rating & Discounting” are preserved as Level 3s now within
“Charging”, and an additional Level 3 process element “Aggregate Items
For Charging” that manages the accumulation of items that may be used in
the selection of a price or in calculation of a rate/discount., is added
alongside these. The intention is progressively to add further Level 3s as the
Revenue Management work advances.
GB921G The new GB921G application note provides new guidance on applying
eTOM, but without introducing any change to the existing GB921 materials.
It is focused on explaining how to view the eTOM processes flexibly, while
maintaining linkage with the existing process framework. There is therefore
no disruption of existing eTOM content. (see accompanying documents for
details).

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Business Process Framework (eTOM) Release 8.0 Solution Suite Release Notes

3. Release Definition

3.1. Document Release Description

Document Document Name Release Version Document Date New/


Number Status Updated
in this
release
RN311 eTOM Release Notes 8.0 0.8 Information July, 2008 √
Only
GB921 eTOM “Main” Document 8.0 8.1 Member July, 2008 √
Concepts Evaluation
and
Principles
GB921B eTOM – B2B Integration: Using B2B 7.0 7.1 Member August
Inter-enterprise integration with the Evaluation 2004
eTOM
GB921C Public B2B Business Operations 4.0 4.0.2 TMF November
Map Application Note Approved 2005
GB921D Process Decompositions 8.0 8.1 Member October √
Evaluation 2008
GB921F Process Flow Examples 7.5 7.6 Member July,
Evaluation 2008
GB921G Guide to Applying the Business 8.0 0.7 Member October √
Process Framework (eTOM) Evaluation 2008
GB921P eTOM Primer 4.5 4.6.1 Member January
Evaluated 2007
GB921R Real-World Case Studies 7.5 1.1 Member July, 2008
Evaluation
GB921T eTOM – M.3400 Mapping 4.5 4.6.1 Member August
Application Note Evaluated 2004
GB921U eTOM – User Guidelines 7.0 1.1 Member February
Evaluation 2007
GB921V eTOM – An Interim View of an 6.0 6.1 Member August
Interpreter’s Guide for eTOM and Evaluated 2004
ITIL Practitioners

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Business Process Framework (eTOM) Release 8.0 Solution Suite Release Notes

3.2. Model Release Description (if


applicable)

The eTOM Model is represented in an XML file derived from the tool environment
used by the eTOM Team (Casewise Corporate Modeler). The intention is to provide
the model in as open a way as possible, recognizing the current limitations that apply
on interchange of models amongst process analysis tools generally. This is an
evolving picture, but to facilitate open use of the eTOM Model in a variety of tools, the
eTOM Framework (ie the process hierarchy as set out in GB912D) is also published
in other formats to ease interchange. These include a structured textual model,
captured as an MS Excel spreadsheet file, and a linked HTML structure that also
allows the eTOM Model to be explored with normal web browsers.

Model files will be made available after document publication.

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Business Process Framework (eTOM) Release 8.0 Solution Suite Release Notes

4. Linkages to other Projects/Products


The new ITIL processes are the result of joint work between TM Forum and itSMF,
whose members develop ITIL, and represents a significant step in integrating these
two frameworks. This is in response to Board pressure to address this integration as
a vital strategic direction for TM Forum. With this release, there is explicit
accommodation of ITIL within the eTOM Business Process Framework, for the first
time. This does not immediately impact on other areas of the TM Forum work, but as
the integration proceeds, it will be important to widen this to include, say, links
between the ITIL IMS and DBMS work, and the TM Forum Information Framework
(SID). Another area of potential linkage to be assessed in the ongoing work is around
lifecycles; the ITIL service lifecycle and the relationship with the NGOSS lifecycle,
with process and information lifecycles visible in the Process Framework and the
Information Framework, etc. These aspects will be pursued in future releases, and in
linkages with related TM Forum work areas.

The Revenue Management updates are also an important step and integrate material
derived from the Global Billing Association following their merging into TM Forum
some time ago. There are downstream issues that will require further involvement
from other areas, such as TAM and SID (there have been preliminary discussions on
this), as the Revenue Management work progresses. Joint work between Revenue
Management and eTOM, and involving SID, TAM, and others, has been agreed.

The “Guide to Applying the Business Process Framework (eTOM)”, GB921G, is


focused on eTOM specifically and how users can adapt and apply this while
maximizing their linkage with the standard. Opportunities to link this with other areas if
TM Forum work will be considered as this area develops beyond this release.

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Business Process Framework (eTOM) Release 8.0 Solution Suite Release Notes

5. Administrative Appendix
This Appendix provides additional background material about the TM Forum and this
document. In general, sections may be included or omitted as desired, however a
Document History must always be included..

5.1. Document History

5.1.1. Version History

Version Number Date Modified Modified by: Description of


changes
0.5 October 2008 Mike Kelly Sets out changes for
Release 8.0
0.6 October 2008 Mike Kelly Adds comments on
lifecycles in Section 4
from CCB review
0.7 October 2008 Mike Kelly Adds detail on
updates for the
“Charging” process
(was “Rating &
Discounting”)
0.8 November 2008 Tina O’Sullivan expanded section 1
and updated release
version numbers.
Conducted some
minor corrections.

5.1.2. Release History


<This section records the changes between this and the previous Official document release>

Release Number Date Modified Modified by: Description of


changes
8.0 October 2008 Mike Kelly Sets out changes for
Release 8.0

5.2. About TM Forum

TM Forum is an international consortium of communications service providers and


their suppliers. Its mission is to help service providers and network operators

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Business Process Framework (eTOM) Release 8.0 Solution Suite Release Notes

automate their business processes in a cost- and time-effective way. Specifically, the
work of the TM Forum includes:
o Establishing operational guidance on the shape of business processes.
o Agreeing on information that needs to flow from one process activity to
another.
o Identifying a realistic systems environment to support the interconnection of
operational support systems.
o Enabling the development of a market and real products for integrating and
automating telecom operations processes.
The members of TM Forum include service providers, network operators and
suppliers of equipment and software to the communications industry. With that
combination of buyers and suppliers of operational support systems, TM Forum is
able to achieve results in a pragmatic way that leads to product offerings (from
member companies) as well as paper specifications.

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