In the most recent IT Insights, I examined the high-level IT Stewardship process, including the committees' domain and membership. In today’s blog, I explain the specifics of how an idea develops into an approved project and the guiding principles that support the prioritization process.
Every unit has ideas about how technology can fill a need or solve a problem. Each unit assembles these ideas into a strategic plan called a roadmap, guided by their Stewardship Portfolio Partner (SPP). After prioritizing the roadmap idea, a business case is created for each idea by the unit, again with SPP assistance. The business case identifies the total cost of ownership and risk rating for that proposed project.
The business case is then submitted to one of the Stewardship committees based on which IT service(s) are impacted, the anticipated risk, and the estimated total cost of ownership. Each committee prioritizes its business cases. The committees have collectively developed a set of guiding principles that provide guardrails for these prioritization decisions and maintain consistency between committees.
Once a year, the Technology Advisory Group (TAG) compiles a three-part, IT Investment portfolio from all of the prioritized business cases. The portfolio includes three scenarios: one based on risk and must-do projects, another focused on leveraging opportunities and strategic initiatives to elevate ND to the next level, and a third that blends the first two with a focus on practicality.
TAG submits the portfolio to the IT Executive Committee for suggestions and modifies the final approved portfolio which is then presented to the Budget Working Group (BWG) for funding.
We all understand that Notre Dame has limited resources. The Stewardship process, with the Guiding Principles as a firm foundation, is designed for leaders to focus resources on projects that have the most impact on the entire University.
Yours in ND,
Jane