IT Governance Overview
The IT Governance Cycle
IT governance encourages the best and highest use of IT resources by:
- Aligning IT strategy with institutional priorities.
- Creating clarity in how decisions are made by establishing a clearly defined, easy-to-understand framework for making those decisions.
- Engaging the University community in soliciting input and enacting changes to IT services.
The process follows an annual cycle that starts with data and feedback from the University community and ends with strategic, funded decisions about what OIT should and shouldn't be doing in the near- and long-term. Feedback is captured through open membership Advisory Communities that meet on a regular basis to discuss specific IT services and OIT Service Owners who create roadmaps for each of their services. Standing Committees, composed of appointed members and chairs, establish standards and define processes for key areas that affect a variety of stakeholders. Finally, the IT Strategy and Investment Council, a representative group who have institutional-wide perspectives, provide oversight of the IT governance framework and informs IT investment priorities.
| Stage | Starts | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Input | July | Solicit feedback on current IT services and future needs using tools like campus surveys, Advisory Communities, Standing Committees, topic-specific focus groups, and discussions with key stakeholders. |
| Synthesis | October | Build an understanding of the University's needs and create or update service roadmaps and budget proposals based on those needs. |
| Decision | January | Refine and validate service roadmaps and budget proposals. Make decisions about recommended investments, divestments, and major changes to IT services. |
| Fund | April | Align funding with the University budget and capital planning process. Communicate strategic decisions to all stakeholders. |
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How Governance WorksIT Governance follows an annual cycle of input, synthesis, decision making, and funding. Learn more about how this cycle operates.
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IT Service RoadmapsService roadmaps are our way of letting the university community know what to expect from OIT—not just in the coming weeks, but in the coming years as well.
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Advisory CommunitiesTo help gather data about IT usage patterns and needs, OIT will host Advisory Community meetings on specific topics and trends. Anyone from the university will be able to attend or participate.
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Standing CommitteesStanding Committees are set membership groups charged annually by the IT Strategy & Governance Committee (ITSGC) to create strategy and decision rights for designated areas.
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IT Strategy & Investment CouncilThe IT Strategy & Investment Council provides oversight of the IT governance framework and informs IT investment priorities.