| ID |
Topic |
Description |
| RA 01 |
RA Introduction & Organisational Requirements |
• Course introduction & overview
• Outline of RA explained - meaning & objectives
• Setting the RA telecoms scene in comparison to other industries
• The benefits of RA within a Telco
• Typical organisational requirements |
| RA 02 |
Introduction to RA and industry positioning |
• Industry positioning
• What does leakage cost the industry
• Empowerment – vision & mission
• RA evolution – positioning & value to RA functions
• Determining organisational requirements
• The 4 ‘R’s of RA
• End to End RA – Expanding the ‘End to End’ Approach
• Deploying RA policies & procedures
• Different RA approaches – Pros & Cons |
| RA 03 |
Understanding & Appreciating Network Technology |
Sessions will explain the different technologies in relation to RA to
ensure delegates appreciate what is technically supporting the
operation of RA
• Mobile Networks – GSM, CDMA, TDMA, GPRS etc
• Fixed Networks – Indirect Access
• 3G, Data Networks, WiMax, Triple & Quad Play, VOIP, IMS
• New Principles – Bearer & Services impact on RA
• Critical areas for consideration – what to consider & why |
| RA 04 |
RA Activities and Practices |
• RA evolution & maturity scale
• Maturity positioning & value to RA functions
• RA strategy and definition
• The differing RA models of operation
• Introduction to control frameworks |
| RA 05 |
Provisioning Assurance |
• The provisioning process and why RA is needed
• Data accuracy and validation techniques
• Account activation issues
• Application of new services
• Services channel provisioning
• Web self-care risks |
| RA 06 |
Network Assurance |
• Event types and network data issues
• Typical RA errors
• Event generation configuration and its effect on billing
• Conflicts in network event generation
• Switch issues
• Network rounding principles
• Interconnect management |
| RA 07 |
Mediation Platforms and Control |
• Mediation platform - functionalities & controls
• CDR transfer process – ensuring its effectiveness & completeness
• Identifying where leakage occurs & countering the risk
• Applying filtering rules – assessing how they affect revenues
• Aggregation & normalisation of data
• Effective error file management
• Best practice controls, reconciliations, monitoring & reporting |
| RA 08 |
Rating and Billing Controls |
• CDR generation & flow process – establishing required practices
• Examining various routing methods
• Billing system – functionalities & controls
• Requirements for CDR management
• Ensuring accurate rating & billing of events (including testing)
• Effective tariff table management • Effective error management
• Assuring the end to end billing process – policy & compliance
• Combating RA issues – defining the techniques & requirements |
| RA 09 |
RA Process and Controls |
• Oversight models
• The need for KPIs
• The role of CVAT (Completeness, Validity, Accuracy and Timeliness)
in process and control
• Combining of KPIs and the management of end to end processes
• Group exercise for understanding and discussion of process control |
| RA 10 |
RA Control Frameworks |
• The use of control frameworks
• Dealing with CVAT of business information
• Rounding rules and management
• Reporting using control frameworks
• Different scenarios of RA management
• Group exercise in the use of control frameworks |
| RA11 |
Postpaid Processes - Risks & Controls |
• RA requirements for postpaid service
• Postpaid order entry & provisioning – platforms, activity & control
• Network elements – impacts & effects on RA
• Postpaid charging methods
• Requirement to focus on billing integrity & error management
• Postpaid management - key areas of concern
• Defining the Postpaid RA risks & applying controls
• Using defined frameworks to manage the controls
• Determining the optimum & workable KPIs – applying & tracking |
| RA12 |
Prepaid Processes - Risks & Controls |
• RA requirements for Prepaid service
• Determining how Prepaid risks impact revenue – various top up
methods etc.
• Prepaid order entry & provisioning – platforms, activity & control
• Defining the approach to tracking & reconciling Prepaid CDRs
• Determining the requirements for optimum IN controls
• Defining the key areas of concern – prioritizing the workload
• Using defined frameworks to manage controls
• Determining the optimum & workable KPIs – applying & tracking |
| RA13 |
Managing Interconnect Risks |
• Determining the starting point – review of interconnect
traffic & methods
• Bypass & SIM boxes – different practices globally
• SIM sharing – determining how bypass operators tackle congestion
• Tracking down bypass – exploring detection & prevention methods
• Interconnect risks – re-origination, refiling, tromboning, etc.
• Least cost routing – implementation & management
• Interconnect within the VoIP World – new risks explained
• Defining & applying required frameworks & KPIs |
| RA14 |
Managing Roaming Risks |
• Roaming definition and agreements
• Determining the starting point and controls for roaming
• The role of different network elements
• The issues of signalling standards and build levels
• Near Real Time Roaming Data Exchange (NRTRDE) controls
• Roaming compliance standards
• Controls point and management in a multi-network and clearing
house arrangement
• Roaming restriction and controls
• Defining & applying required frameworks & KPIs |
| RA 15 |
Managing Content Provision Risks |
• Content - a new world & new risks explained
• The explosion in ‘Apps’ and RA management issues
• The content value chain
• The role of content owners, aggregators and service providers
• Defining & applying required frameworks & KPIs
• Content supply agreements and RA controls
• Digital rights management
• Example RA content controls
• Typical KPIs used in content management |
| RA16 |
Credit Management, Collections & Payment |
• Defining the requirements – knowing the customer & accepting the risk
• Customer take on – channels & risks explained
• Bad debt management – separating fraud from bad debt
• Invoicing customers – defined practices
• Collecting what is due in a timely manner – ensuring payment
• Collection practices & techniques – dunning process, internal &
external collection initiatives
• Determining controls & protections – promotions, bonuses,
fair usage, credit transfers etc.
• Interaction & communication with other risk disciplines – emphasis
& focus |
| RA17 |
Cost & Margin Assurance |
• Main principles of cost assurance explained
• Looking at RA of both the services offered to clients and the
margin contribution of network build and control
• Focusing on different aspects of the business – margins, prices,
resource utilisation etc.
• Ensuring network utilisation – maximising the opportunities
• Why perform cost & margin assurance – benefits explained
• Cost monitoring, modelling & margins – assuring revenues
• Effective approaches discussed & explained |
| RA 18 |
RA Measurement and Management Reporting |
• Defining the types of measurement required – different audiences
have different requirements
• Establishing what is already in place across the business divisions
• Understanding if we have end-to end scope for our main
products & services
• Definition of metrics, targets etc–determining the best approach
• Tools & data sources required to deliver measurement
|
| RA 19 |
Product Risk Assessment |
Explores the stages required to ensure product assurance
in relation to RA
• Product risk lifecycle
• Evaluation process concept, design, implementation, launch
& post launch
• Testing of product risk and methodology
• Frameworks & stages
• Controls, monitoring & measurement
• Business buy-in & support |
| RA 20 |
Setting up an RA function |
• Role and remit for the function
• Ensuring maximum benefit & ROI on the investment
• Deployment & optimisation
• Prioritising RA management tactics
• The need for technology & tools |
