The detection process looks for changes in data as it moves between systems. Activities in the process typically occur in four phases: monitoring, summary, investigation and the audit phase.
Monitoring is the act of observing data collected from a series of processes inside a system. Monitoring looks for changes in the data that may occur over a period of time or when moving between processes and systems.
Summarization groups the data gathered in the monitoring phase and closely examines relationships in the data to discover general problems and issues. Comparison exercises identify problem areas that are targeted for future investigation.
Auditing activities ensure the organization is implementing solutions that meet the objectives of company executives while remaining compliant to internal policies, external regulations and market forces.
Investigation uses the results of the summary phase to discover the underlying causes of problem areas. Instead of simply fixing the errors caused by the problem, investigative procedures suggest ways to correct the root causes of the faulty process or program.
The correction processes works to change information, personnel, processes or technology in order to permanently change the root causes of errors discovered in the Detection phase.
Information Correction is a process used to change the value of a particular data element or calculation.
Process Correction is an activity that adds, changes, updates or deletes procedures that are deemed to be part of the root causes of errors in the system. These changes are a pro-active step to prevent future errors and corrective measures.
Personnel Correction changes the number and/or skill level of the people that are part of the processes that require corrective measures.
Technology Correction adds, changes or updates technology to meet the demands of the corrective actions.
The prevention process reduces or removes the risk of errors and anomalies in a procedure, process, or system. Preventive activities a coordinated together to create effective risk management systems.
Synchronization is a method to insure data integrity between two or more data sets that directly affect the accuracy of one another.
Integrity Checks uses sample sets of data to ensure accuracy and help formulate future corrective action that may be required.
Process Input Review is necessary for complex processes to ensure the data input itself is not causing negative performance in the procedures.
Process Output Analysis verifies the performance of the process the reliability on the outputs of a given process and the integrity of the data before it is passed to another procedure.
Over time, the Revenue Assurance process matures as data generated by implemented remedies begins to yield even more insight into a system operation. This maturity process can be summarized in five stages of growth.
STAGE 1
Initial remedies are implemented in a slightly unstructured environment as the effect of leakage control levers maybe unresolved. In the initial stage a skeleton strategy may be in place until more data can be gathered to prove or disapprove some preliminary hypothesis.
STAGE 2
Repeatable solutions are solutions that produce positive results in their initial implementation. These solutions are able to continue this success using the same procedures with different data. Functions and strategies start to take shape during this stage as skill sets become ingrained are still learning the skill set of revenue assurance.
STAGE 3
Definition occurs when certain revenue assurance processes become have become a proven standard for the organization. These processes are documented and begin to establish a consistent revenue assurance program for all stakeholders in the program. It is during this stage, that a formal revenue assurance strategy is developed, funded and chartered.
STAGE 4
Managing the revenue assurance program is a continual process that maintains the programs integrity and prevents the organization from straying from its goals. Program managers may adjust the program to meet changing demands from internal and external forces but must make these adjustments without degrading or deviating from the programs documented specifications.
STAGE 5
Continuous improvement processes are ongoing to bolster program performance through incremental and innovative improvements. Changes are measured on performance and risk as a optimizing strategy is developed to maintain the integrity of the overall program