Key: TECHNOLOGY (T) / PROJECT MANAGEMENT / DEVELOPMENT (M) INDUSTRY ANALYSIS (A) / ENHANCED CASE STUDY / EXERCISE (Ex)

DAY 1  

TELECOMMUNICATIONS - WHERE ARE WE NOW / WHERE ARE WE GOING    

Setting the Scene & Case Study

This session is used to introduce the course, the presenters and delegates. The timing, format, and (most importantly) the aims, of the week are clearly set out - as well as the expected outcomes for each participant.

The Case study is presented in overview, with delegates able to ask questions and clarify what is expected.

Network Technology Grounding

To ensure each participant gains maximum learning opportunity later in the programme, this module reviews the current status of telecommunications technology. It explores the capabilities, limitations and functionality of modern telecommunication networks and platforms, and serves as a brief foundation for what is to follow.

• The fundamental requirements
• Services & Applications
• Fixed Access Technologies
• PSTN
• ISDN
• Broadband / DSL
• FRA
• Mobile Access Technologies
• GSM
• GPRS
• W-CDMA & UMTS
• HSDPA
• cdmaOne & cdma2000
• Other Radio Access
• WiFi
• WiMax
• The Core Network
• Switching - Circuit Switched
• Switching - Packet Switched
• Signalling & Control (incl SS7)
• IP in Modern Networks
• The IP Multimedia Subsystem
• Transmission & Transport
• Supporting Systems
• Service Platforms
• Messaging
• Service Delivery Platforms
• IN & CAMEL
• OSA & Parley
• OSS, BSS & Billing

Emerging User Applications

To ensure awareness of the direction the industry is taking and the challenges that lay ahead, this session examines some of the most relevant emerging applications and systems, allowing the participant to think clearly about the requirements for the evolving mobile, fixed, data, and fully converged networks.

• Voice over IP (VoIP)
• IPTV - providing broadcast-quality TV and Video on Demand
• Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB-T, DVB-S, DVB-C and DVB-H)
• Triple play services - a threat to incumbents or an opportunity for them?
• Case study - Video Networks Limited (Homechoice)
• Location Based Services - come of age
• Gambling via Mobile - a sure bet?
• Multimedia on the Mobile Device
• Case study: Cinema Electric
• Adult content
• Case study: Cherry Media
• Mobile Games Forecasts
• Mobile Music - market overview, trends, key issues
• Delivering the services - the vital role of Service Delivery Platforms

Technology and Market Forecasts

Providing analysis and forecasts, this session looks at the current and future direction of the communications industry. It shows clearly where the significant trends lie, and which technologies are set to dominate in the years ahead. This section allows delegates to make more-informed decisions on technology choices and how to de-risk future projects.

• Current Fixed Telecommunications Trends
• Broadband Evolution and Forecasts
• Current Trends in the Mobile Telecoms Industry
• Major Mobile TechnologiesPenetration Figures
• Use of Data Services and Forecasts
• Deployment of GPRS, EDGE, 3G
• Emerging Services and Applications - Predictions
• Voice Over IP
• The Growth of 3G
• Mobile TV - Analysis

DAY 2    

MANAGING NEW & EXISTING TECHNOLOGY

Management Methodologies

Successful technology management / projects are judged on many criteria. This session examines how the underlying requirements are assessed and the methodology chosen to maximise the chances of a successful outcome.

• Why Project Management is Needed
• The Triple Constraint
• Life Cycle
• Identifying Key Stakeholders
• Influences on a Project
• Roles and Responsibilities
• Managing Unknowns
• Feasibility
• Exit Strategy

Successful Planning

Managing technology requires thorough planning and preparation - a process that provides a guide to implementation, operation and maintenance, and can help organisations anticipate problems before they happen. When carried out successfully, effective planning can maximise the use of resources, minimise costs and risk, ensure time scales are met, and allow for effective evolution as the needs of the business change.

• Needs Assessment
• Setting Objectives
• Requirements
• Functional
• Technical
• Project Charter
• Project Requirements Document (PRD)
• Keys to Success
• Project Teams
• Scoping
• Estimating
• Schedule Planning
• Gantt Charts
• Milestones
• Costs
• Resource Planning
• Roles and Responsibilities
• Reserve Planning

Managing Risk

One major requirement of managing technology and technology projects is the management of risk. This compact module examines how risk can be assessed, analysed, and effectively minimized.

Risk management PlanningNature of RiskRisk Response StrategiesMitigating Risk

Implementation & Performance

Ongoing assessment and performance are critical success factors. This module looks at how projects can be assessed, evaluated and developed to ensure the overall objectives are met - even when those objectives change. It also deals with the important areas of team development, managing change and conflict.

• Baselines
• Assessing Performance
• Monitoring Performance
• Project Evaluation
• Dealing with Risk
• Managing Change
• Configuration Management
• Developing the Project Team
• Conflict
• Stakeholder Expectations
• Closeout
• Scope Verification
• Customer Acceptance
• Admin & Contract Closure
• Lessons learned

Financial Considerations

Good financial planning and control are fundamental requirements to managing technology, and to technology projects. This session provides a clear grounding in good financial management techniques.

• Available Finance
• Assessing Whole Life Costs
• uilding a Cost Estimate
• Cumulative Cost Curve
• Setting Budgets
• Target Profit Margin
• Handover to Production Phase
• Asset Management
• Controlling Budgets

Managing Multiple Projects

Many managers within the telecoms industry find themselves managing multiple projects. This could be as a fairly junior project manager, right the way through to a Chief Technology Officer. The level of detail required to oversee each project will differ enormously from post to post, but a number of principles will be valid in all cases. This session examines how multiple projects can be tracked and assessed, the role of senior managers, and effective communication within the team. It also looks at how to make the right choices (e.g. technology) to ensure a cohesive plan can be formulated and evolved across all current and future projects, and that the team(s) understand the wider requirements.

• The Technology Team
• Roles of Senior Management
• Tracking Multiple Projects
• Communication
• The Wider Budget
• Technology Choices
• Achieving a Coherent Plan
• Programme Management
• Shared Resources

DAY 3   

KEY EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES ANALYSED

Evolving Fixed and Mobile Telecommunication Technologies

This session provides a chance to examine emerging technologies in fixed and mobile telecommunication networks. It allows different technologies to be assessed, compared and analysed in terms of capabilities, perceived benefits and costs.

• Broadband Technologies
• The use of WiFi
• WiMax
• Point to Point
• Cellular / Mobile
• Infra Red Systems
• Evolving Mobile Access Technologies
• Integrating WiFi and WiMax into the Mobile network
• Use of the SIM Card
• Delivering Advanced Services
• Via the Fixed Infrastructure
• Via the Mobile Infrastructure
• The Converged Network
• Synchronisation
• The Billing Process

Evolving Data Technology, IP and Emerging Systems

IP technology and data communications are playing an increasingly important part within telecommunications. This session looks at the use of IP technology in the emerging network - concentrating on the overall benefits, challenges, and supporting systems required to implement services on what is effectively a "best effort" technology.

• IP in the Modern Network
• Broadband Access and IP Technology
• Mobile Access and IP Technology
• 3G Architecture
• IPv4 and IPv6
• Delivering Services over IP
• Voice over IP
• Multimedia Data Services
• Ensuring Quality of Service
• Using MPLS
• Using ATM
• The Converged IP Network
• Accessing the IP Multimedia Subsystem
• IP Security
• AAA - Radius and Diameter

Evolving Service Delivery and Supporting Systems

It is clear that the requirements of the telecommunications customer / consumer are set to change markedly over the coming months and years in terms of access to services and applications. This session examines the additional infrastructure needed to support these advanced services and applications, and their implication for the network.

• Service Delivery Platforms
• Messaging Technologies
• Short Messaging
• Multimedia Messaging
• Instant Messaging
• Intelligent Networks & CAMEL
• OSA and Parley
• Content Delivery
• Video
• Calls
• Clips
• Streaming
• Mobile TV
• Platforms
• Technologies
• Delivery
• The IP Multimedia Subsystem
• Roaming Scenarios
• The Billing Process

Group Think Tanks

A chance for delegates to apply what they have learnt to their case study. At this stage, the groups should be formulating overall strategy in terms of managing the project, but should also be considering the different technologies, and making the right technology choices.

Thinking outside the Box

We are all usually too busy or consumed with existing projects to stand back and "think outside the box". This session allows an element of creating thinking, and uses existing examples from the world of Telecommunications to demonstrate the value of thinking creatively to find solutions for today's communication problems.

• Creative thinking
• The benefits
• Methodologies
• The Results
• Examples
• The Problem
• The Requirement
• Analysis
• Solution
• Benefits

DAY 4   

TECHNOLOGY STRATEGY PLANNING - EXPLOITING THE MARKET

Next Generation - The Customer Experience

A key success factor for any network operator or vendor is the user experience. This interactive module explores services and applications; terminals and handsets; ease of use; access to content from the user perspective; role of the operating system; compatibility issues; market segmentation; and the overall look and feel of the product.

• Services
• The Next Step
• Personalised
• Location-based
• High Value
• Example services
• The Role of Third Parties
• The Future of Messaging
• Multimedia Applications
• Access to Content
• Compatibility Issues
• Interoperability
• A Virtual Home Environment?
• The Network as a Pipe
• The User Device
• The User Interface
• Forms and Form Factors
• Handset Design Considerations
• Multi-band and Multi-system Handsets
• Operating Systems
• Future Devices
• Supporting Technologies
• Bluetooth
• Wireless LAN

Positioning the Operation and Product

Taking a wider look at the requirements of the business, this session examines the role of market position in the strategy of the operation, and the impact on the technology choices. Considerations such as service strategy, target segments (e.g. business / consumer), footprint of the parent group, alliances, investment model, and geographic area of operation can all affect technology choices, budgets, and long term planning requirements. Awareness of the overall business and product positioning is therefore essential to ensure the right decisions are made.

• Overall Business Strategy
• Alliances
• Strategy on VNOs (Virtual Network Operators)
• Target Market
• Product Positioning
• The Changing Requirements
• Marketing - Strategy
• Pricing and Use of Discounting
• Building the Brand

The Next Generation Map - Assembling the New Network - Interactive Session

To ensure a cohesive and technologically sound plan, this session considers the different technologies available in the context of a single converged, multimedia network. It takes into consideration the overall requirements of the business, including customer experience, maximising revenue, minimising cost, overall positioning, ease of planning, and reducing risk.

• Assessing the legacy
• The Overall Company Position and Future Direction
• Technical and Business Departments - working together
• What are the Actual Requirements
• Now
• Evolving
• Prioritising
• The Infrastructure - Strategy
• The Infrastructure - Specifics
• The Plan
• The Project
• Controlling Costs
• De-Risking

Group Think Tanks - Case Study

The groups are now asked to detail / plan a comprehensive technology solution for the fictitious Island taking into account the overall business case, the operator strategy and the available technologies. A detailed breakdown of items such as technology analysis, service requirements, scalability, manpower availability, overall cost, risk, security, growth analysis, training, organisational structure, and vendor sourcing will be required.

Managing the Telco & Supporting Systems

A short module will provide an insight into the functions and processes required to manage a modern Telecommunications company. This module includes a brief analysis of a standard management model and its meaning for different organisations.

• Functional splits
• Processes and flows
• Support requirements
• The overall structure
• Management models

Telecoms Regulation & Law
This module will give you a quick guided-tour of the purpose and implication of regulation and also the legal requirements of providing telecommunication services. Short, but informative, this module provides an insight for further study.

• The requirement for regulation
• Benefits and implications
• Legal aspects of telecom services
• Opening up the market
• Protecting the Consumer

Case Study Prep

Each group will be required to present their plans on Day 5, and this session provides a chance for the groups to refine their plans, and prepare their presentation. All members of the group will need to be fully prepared / briefed on the overall project.

DAY 5  

DELIVERING A COHERENT TECHNOLOGY PLAN

Delegate Presentations

Each group will formally present their plan to the other groups and the Island Operator Board of Directors. The presentation is timed, and is followed by searching questions on the basis for the project, its requirements, fulfillment, contingency plans and details.

Each team will be expected to evaluate and present all the major aspects of managing a technical telecommunications project - from initial business concept, through setting strategy and goals, choosing the technology, cost / benefit analysis, risk assessment, assembling the project / technology team, effectively managing the project, monitoring progress and team performance, testing requirements, and assessing the impact on other projects.

Summary and Assessments

Each group is given verbal and written feedback on their plans and presentation by the speakers. This session serves as a useful recap and a good analysis of the strengths, weaknesses, and omissions of the individual projects.

This session provides the culmination of the week's course, and each delegate should be much better placed to manage ongoing technology projects, whether individual projects, or overseeing multiple projects in a large organisation.