• Business Process Framework (eTOM) – The Business Process Framework provides the map and common language of business processes that are used in the industry. In addition, process flows are provided for an ever expanding list of key processes. The Process Framework can be used to inventory existing processes at a Service Provider, act as a framework for defining scope of a software-based solution, or simply enable better lines of communication between a service provider and their system integrator and suppliers.
• Information Framework (SID) – The Information Framework provides a “common language” for software providers and integrators to use in describing management information, which in turn allows easier and more effective integration across software applications provided by multiple vendors. The Information Framework provides the concepts and principles needed to defined a shared information model, the elements or entities of the model, the business oriented UML class models, as well as design oriented UML class models and sequence diagrams to provide a system view of the information and data.
• Integration Framework – The Integration Framework and Business Services (also known as Contracts) are a key part of the Solution Frameworks. In order to successfully integrate applications provided by multiple software vendors, the “plumbing” of the system must be common. The Integration Framework defines architectural principles to guide developers to create components that operate successfully in a distributed environment; and the Business Services define the “APIs” for interfacing those elements to each other across the architecture. This architecture is technology neutral as it does not define how to implement the architecture, rather what principles must be applied to be Solution Frameworks compliant. In addition, the Integration Framework includes the TM Forum’s library of Interfaces for integration of applications, and as the basis for the Business Services Repository.
• The Application Framework (TAM) – The Application Framework considers the role and the functionality of the various applications that deliver management systems capability, and provides definitions of them. Service Providers procurement department can use the Framework to buy against it and compare vendors’ solutions. This framework is presented in a similar layered and vertical structure like the Process Framework and the Information Framework.

How to use the Solution Framework

The Solution Frameworks may be used as an integrated system end-to-end or as components to solve particular problems. They can be applied throughout organizations by operations staff, software developers and system integrators. Example applications include:

• Business process redesign: Service providers utilize the Business Process Framework (eTOM) to analyze their existing business processes, identify redundancy or gaps in their current strategies, and re-engineer processes to correct deficiencies and add automation.
• Development of support systems migration strategy: The Frameworks provide direction for migration of legacy support systems and solutions to future-proof, maintainable, flexible systems. Service providers utilize the elements of the Frameworks end-to end and the Solution Frameworks Implementation Methodology to define common infrastructure for the future.
• Designing and specifying management solutions: The Frameworks define detailed application, information model, interface and architectural specifications that operators and service providers can utilize to stipulate and procure future support system solutions.
• Software application development: The heart of the Frameworks, the Application Framework (TAM), Business Process Framework (eTOM), the Information Framework (SID), and the Integration Framework, together with the Solution Frameworks Implementation Methodology are designed to walk software engineering organizations through the process of creating low cost integration support system components.
• Systems Integration: When faced with integration challenges, the Frameworks’ well-defined language, interfaces and architecture provides the system integrator with a clear direction for repeatable and cost-effective integration of multi-vendor, disparate systems.

The TM Forum Solution Frameworks can be viewed as master plans to guide the user progressively move towards service-orientation over a series of evolutionary phases.
Their basic structures support service orientation:

• Set of highly cohesive, loosely coupled process elements categorized by the Business Process Framework
• Companion groups of entities/objects modeled by the Information Framework
• Implementation of the processes by reusable Business Services (also known as NGOSS Contracts)  by the Integration Framework
• Cataloging of applications based on functionality by the Application Framework

The TM Forum members have recently developed major documents which provide an overarch view and usage of the Solution Framework’s four components:

• Solution Frameworks Statement of Direction (TR155) provides the “why” Service Orientation is important and “what” it means to become an Service Oriented Enterprise (SOE) using the Solution Frameworks

Solution Frameworks Implementation Methodology (GB945-M) provides the methodology on how to become a Service Oriented Enterprise (SOE). It delivers the process and techniques to assist organizations at varying levels of architectural maturity in making the journey through the enterprise architecture evolutionary phases employing the Solution Frameworks.

Relationship of the Components in the Solution Frameworks

The elements of the Solution Frameworks fit together to provide a framework for system development, integration and operations. The elements of the Frameworks may be used end to end to undertake large scale development and integration projects, or may be used separately to solve specific problems. This approach enables all players in the support systems supply chain to use the elements appropriate for their business with the confidence that they all fit together and as a result reduce the ‘integration tax’ between systems.   

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The picture above depicts the relationships among the Frameworks.  The Business Process Framework (eTOM) and Information Framework (SID) are naturally related.  Processes, as defined in the Business Process Framework act on entities defined within the Information Framework.  The Integration Framework defines the interaction between processes and entities in more detail by describing the interactions that characterize the entities contained within Business Service (Contract), interface specifications and their implementations. The Integration Framework also holds the Business Service Library.  The Application Framework (TAM), composed of definitions of purchasable applications, describes the processes and entities supported by each of the application areas.

Solution Frameworks-based solutions use mainstream IT concepts and technologies to enable rapid understanding, delivering a more productive development environment and efficient management infrastructure. The Frameworks are prescriptive for only those few critical points where interoperability is key; for other areas they support ease of customization across a wide range of functionality. This approach allows systems to be tailored to provide a competitive advantage while also working with legacy systems.

Creating a Service Oriented Enterprise (SOE) with the Solution Frameworks

An SOE is a modular organization, where process, information, systems and people are grouped to provide reusable business services (elements of functionality) with which the enterprise operates. The real power of an SOE lies in its ability to play a role in a collaborative eco-system quickly and at low cost, for example defining and establishing new services across a multi-partner value chain.

The figure below illustrates how the Business Services are sourced from the Business Process Framework, the Information Framework and Application Framework. The relationship between a Business Service and the Business Process Framework (eTOM) and the Information Framework is shown in the figure below. Business Services can be sourced from the Business Process Framework (for task-centric services) and the Information Framework (for entity centric services). Services that represent a combination are referred to as composite Business Services. The current set of Business Services available in the Solution Frameworks comes from the TM Forum’s standardized Interfaces.

Business Services are then grouped into platforms.  A platform is a grouping of Business Services, people and roles which reflect the focus of an enterprise and its specific business model. A platform architecture will set out an enterprise’s top-level approach to service delivery, clarify the constraints imposed by the value chains in which the enterprise operates. In simple terms, a platform architecture is a company implementation which takes process and information elements and presents them as a master plan of the Service Oriented Enterprise.  As more and more Business Services are defined over time, both inside the TM Forum and inside the enterprise,  an increasingly rich set of reusable services become available, expanding the Business Services Repository.

For further details, read the on the Solution Frameworks value proposition.

Before any transformation project, measurement of performance is critical to understand where the biggest areas for improvement lie.  The TM Forum has a sophisticated and well established Benchmarking program to provide you with Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to assess your performance, measure success of your transformation, and compare your performance to others in the industry.