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Phase 1 Pilots - Building Understanding

🚧Evolving Knowledge Base

The RBTP Knowledge Base is evolving weekly as part of our pilot programs with RBA members. We’d love your input — submit feedback or help shape the protocol in real time by joining a pilot.

Objectives:

Phase 1 pilots help you validate that RBTP maps to your organization’s priorities and supply‐chain challenges. We partner with you to uncover the key questions RBTP must answer—whether that means verifying the mass balance of cobalt inputs or confirming that tantalum in components is conflict-free—and demonstrate how this framework can deliver tangible business value. At the same time, these pilots inform RBA’s ongoing evolution by highlighting potential adjustments to our business model, credential schemes, and member services.

Process:

  1. Define Scope and Question

    We begin with a kickoff discussion to agree on the specific pilot scope and the core question you need answered.

  2. Supply-Chain Mapping Workshop

    Together, we map the most relevant segment of your supply chain (typically 8–10 entities and ~30 credentials). You and your team identify critical actors, data points, and compliance requirements to model.

  3. Mock Credential Issuance

    Using synthetic data, we issue sample credentials to represent real-world transactions. This step illustrates exactly how credentials flow through your network and surfaces any gaps.

  4. Validation Workshop (Tabletop Exercises)

    In a hands-on, “issue → test → refine” cycle, we run tabletop exercises against our shared reference implementation. This iterative process continues until all stakeholders clearly see the credential flows, understand necessary adjustments, and gain confidence in the approach.

  5. Presentation and Publication

    Once the technical workflow is proven, we help you prepare a concise presentation for internal stakeholders and the broader RBA membership. Finally, we publish your pilot scenario in our reference implementation so others can learn from your use case.

By the end of Phase 1, you will have validated how RBTP can address your specific supply-chain question, and RBA will have fresh insights on how to better support its members.

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Commitment​

To ensure a successful Phase 1 pilot, members will need to provide:

  • Up to 8 hours of engagement by one person, spread across structured meetings and workshops over a two-week period
  • A clearly defined pilot question and the corresponding supply-chain scope
  • A cost-sharing commitment to cover pilot expenses—specific funding levels and invoicing details will be finalized in the pilot agreement

Deliverables​

By the end of the pilot, you’ll receive:

  • A scoping brief outlining your selected supply-chain boundaries and the precise question RBTP must address
  • An interactive supply-chain map that visualizes all involved actors, data points, and credential flows
  • A set of synthetic credentials issued within the RBTP reference implementation, accompanied by a summary report of lessons learned and recommended refinements

Learning Outcomes​

By the conclusion of this pilot, participants should experience several “lightbulb” realizations:

  • Protocol over platform: Traceability hinges on a shared protocol rather than a centralized system or tool
  • Identity drives data visibility: Decentralized identifiers and verifiable credentials enable seamless discovery and verification across disparate partners
  • Trust outweighs raw data: Understanding who issued a credential is just as important as the data itself, since trust in the issuer underpins the entire ecosystem

Register your interest​

The RBTP program is recruiting participants for Phase 1 and 2 pilots now. If you’d like to start a pilot, register your interest here.