2: Project Management and Performance Measurement

Apply strong project management and performance measurements processes to critical IT projects to achieve project success.

Other Information:

ITIM and Performance Management -- The ability to select, control, and manage IT investments effectively is a core requirement for HHS OCIO management. To maintain the Department’s commitment to achieving the goal of Excellence in IT Management Practices, initiatives to develop an integrated performance management system and to improve the Capability-Maturity of the Department and OPDIVs on the GAO Information Technology Investment Management (ITIM) framework are planned for the coming period. This Strategic Plan and subsequent two volumes describe in detail the planned performance management system. The key requirements for the system are that it integrate the various levels of IT management and performance reporting requirements throughout the Department, provide timely and actionable information through an automated system, and standardize metrics and clarify accountability through rigorous goal, objective and initiative alignment. The performance management system is designed to function efficiently with existing CPIC and Strategic Planning processes, but will nevertheless represent a considerable organizational challenge. Establishing effective performance measures will, however, have a major impact on all future initiatives. The GAO ITIM Capability-Maturity Model measures an Organization’s ability to manage IT investments so that they contribute effectively to mission and business priorities. The Model posits five stages of maturity marking increasing levels of sophistication in selecting, controlling and evaluating investments from a portfolio perspective. Various GAO reports have assessed the Department or specific OPDIVs as having achieved various elements of Stages 2 and 3, with Stage 3 being the stage at which the organization is beginning to manage investments on an integrated portfolio basis. As a result, Executive Management has decided to set the goal of the OCIO and all OPDIVs progressing through Stage 2 to achieve ITIM Stage 3 by Summer 2007. The OCIO will work closely with OPDIVs to develop policy, ensure policies are effectively institutionalized, and foster collaboration and the use of best and common practices. Taken together with the integrated performance management system initiative, this will mean that the Department and OPDIVs will greatly enhance their ability to manage IT cohesively and effectively at HHS in this next IT strategic planning period.

Indicator(s):

Indicator:1

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