Date: August 31, 2010
Office of the President Community
Dear Colleagues:
UCOP spends significant resources on information technology (IT). Given our budgetary challenges, it is critical that we allocate these resources wisely, look for ways to maximize our returns, and make informed decisions about technology directions.
In this spirit, I recently convened the UCOP IT Steering Committee (pdf) to support a new UCOP governance process for IT. The committee is charged with reviewing key projects with a significant IT component so that we do not duplicate purchases or effort, and so that approved IT initiatives receive the planning and vetting necessary for successful implementation.
Information Resources and Communications (IR&C) has formed the IT Project Office to provide the business analysis and project intake methodology that forms the backbone for this governance process. This group will also be involved with the project, program, and porfolio management of these IT projects. Effective immediately, any IT project led by a UCOP department (with implementation planned at UCOP or the campuses) will be directed through the IT Project Office for analysis and, as appropriate, reviewed by the Steering Committee. Departments may continue to work through established IR&C contacts but also may e-mail itprojectoffice@ucop.edu to submit project requests.
As you may know, The Regents recently passed a resolution on administrative efficiencies that calls upon UC to emphasize commonality and best practices in administrative systems. To support this goal, the project intake process will result in a portfolio of proposed and active UCOP IT projects, enabling the Steering Committee to direct UCOP toward optimal sharing of IT resources and solutions.
The UCOP IT governance process will position us to take a less reactive approach to IT needs and, instead, working with business owners and executives, plan IT investments so they are in alignment with the institution’s goals. I am confident we will quickly see the value of this approach as we partner strategically with IT . Please direct questions to Associate Vice President David Ernst in Information Resources and Communications.
Note: Some Web browsers require a user name and password to access the IT Project Office Web site. If so, type your user name, e.g., “jsmith,” preceded by AD/ in the pop-up box. Example: AD/jsmith. Then type in your password.
Sincerely,
Nathan Brostrom
Executive Vice President—Business Operations
