Information Technology Project Management Policy

 

 

 

 

Statement of Purpose

 

The Maine Chief Information Officer was created by an act of the Legislature (MRSA, Title 5, Chapter 163, § 1973) and is defined as the person who holds the lead information technology position within the executive branch that directs, coordinates and oversees information technology policy making, planning, architecture and standardization.  This policy recognizes that perhaps no other single activity has a greater impact on the IT infrastructure and associated costs as does sound project management.  The policy identifies the most fundamental level of activity needed to ensure that agencies monitor and evaluate project activity and contractor performance to ensure the desired end results are achieved.

 

Scope

This policy applies to all Agencies within the Executive Branch of Maine State Government.

 

Policy

It is the policy of The Office of the Chief Information Officer that agencies ensure that all technology projects are conducted in a disciplined, well-managed, and consistent manner that promotes the delivery of quality products and which are completed on time and within budget.  It shall be accomplished through the contracting and hiring of qualified project managers, ongoing staff training on standard system life cycle and project management methodologies, quality contract management and oversight, and use of standard project management tracking tools.

 

Project management standards, best practices and related templates developed by the Office of the CIO, Information Services Managers’ Group and state project mangers are published on the CIO’s Project Management Protocol website and available to all State Agencies. 

 

Projects with high political visibility, new technologies, high security risks or major re-engineering will be required to follow all the reporting requirements outlined on the Project Management Protocol Website, including the submission of a standard monthly project summary report to the OCIO.  Additionally, at his discretion, the Chief Information Officer may request reporting to provide additional oversight on projects with smaller budgets.

 

 

Waiver Process

Should it be felt that there is justification for a waiver related to any area of this policy, an agency must document a compelling technical or business case which would warrant the exemption.  This documentation must then be submitted to the Office of the CIO for approval.