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Getting Started with Autonomous Operations

In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, organizations are constantly seeking ways to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve service delivery. One of the most promising approaches to achieving these objectives is Autonomous Operations—a field that leverages Intelligent Automation to create integrated, self-sustaining processes with minimal human intervention.

To guide telecoms and digital service providers on their journey toward operational autonomy, TM Forum’s Autonomous Operations Maturity Model (AOMM) serves as an invaluable framework. The AOMM provides a structured pathway to assess and improve an organization’s maturity in autonomous operations, ensuring a seamless transition toward fully automated, intelligent processes.

Understanding the AOMM dimensions

The Autonomous Operations Maturity Model (AOMM) consists of six key dimensions that collectively determine an organization’s level of maturity in autonomous operations. They are, in no specific order:

  1. Party – Involves intelligent automation in customer, partner, and device interactions, ensuring seamless communication across all stakeholders.
  2. Technology – Focuses on the technological infrastructure that supports digital transformation, automation, and innovation.
  3. Culture – Encourages an organizational mindset shift toward adaptability, innovation, and collaboration to drive automation efforts forward.
  4. Strategy – Establishes a clear roadmap for transitioning to autonomous operations, ensuring alignment with business goals.
  5. Operations – Enhances processes by leveraging automation to maximize efficiency and minimize human errors.
  6. Data – Utilizes self-analysis and automated decision-making processes to achieve full-scale automation.

Understanding the AOMM maturity levels

The AOMM (Autonomous Operations Maturity Model) taxonomy categorizes organizations based on their maturity in adopting autonomy-backed technology and business operations. The levels progress as follows. Each level reflects an increasing contribution to business outcomes as organizations mature in their adoption of autonomous operations.

  1. Initiating: The organization is in the early stages of formulating autonomy-backed technology, behaviors, and capabilities.
  2. Emerging: Isolated cases of autonomy-backed technology and business operations are implemented in specific parts of the enterprise, with targeted improvements.
  3. Performing: A coordinated and innovative approach is taken, with autonomy-backed technology expanding across multiple areas of the enterprise. Ongoing improvements aim to achieve scale and scope.
  4. Advancing: Organization-wide implementation of autonomy-backed technology is realized, with operations designed to achieve competitive advantage.
  5. Leading: Represents best-in-class adoption, where autonomy-backed technology is embedded into enterprise and ecosystem lifecycle management. The organization leverages best practices to drive leadership in autonomous operations.

The Role of AOMM in Digital Transformation

Autonomous operations go beyond traditional automation by integrating self-learning, self-governance, and self-adaptation into organizational workflows. The AOMM framework helps businesses assess their current state of automation, identify gaps, and implement targeted strategies for improving operational maturity.

And by leveraging AI-driven insights, closed-loop automation, and data-driven decision-making, organizations can:

  • Enhance efficiency and reduce operational costs
  • Improve agility and scalability
  • Minimize human errors and optimize resource utilization
  • Foster innovation and accelerate digital transformation

Useful Resources

For organizations looking to deepen their understanding of Autonomous Operations, TM Forum offers several essential resources (membership required for access):

  • GB1042A: Autonomous Operations Maturity Model (AOMM) – Offers a structured approach to assessing automation performance, integrating various industry maturity models.
  • GB1042B: AOMM Operations Best Practice – Serves as a practical guide for organizations to evaluate their autonomous operations maturity and set strategic transformation targets.
  • IG1346: TM Forum AOMM Survey Report – Presents industry insights and detailed observations on Autonomous Operations, serving as a self-assessment tool for organizations.
  • IG1403: Comparing AOMM and Autonomous Network Levels Evaluations – Provides insights into how AOMM supports enterprise-wide maturity assessment, while the Autonomous Network Level Evaluation Tool (ANLET) focuses on domain-specific network scenarios.

The journey toward autonomous operations is a strategic imperative for organizations striving for digital excellence. By adopting the Autonomous Operations Maturity Model (AOMM), businesses can systematically enhance their automation capabilities, align their strategies with technological advancements, and drive meaningful innovation.

With the right framework, resources, and commitment to transformation, organizations can unlock new levels of efficiency, agility, and competitiveness—ensuring sustained growth in an increasingly automated world.

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