System Development Life Cycle (SDLC)                        UPPS No. 04.02.03

Methodology and Project Management Practices         Issue No.  5
Effective Date: 08/14/2008
Review: July 1 E4Y

                                                                                                Attachments I, II, III

 

01.       POLICY STATEMENTS

01.01  Automated systems developed, modified, implemented or eliminated at Texas State will use a standard System Development Life Cycle (SDLC) methodology intended to result in a product that satisfies its purpose; and will use Project Management Practices to ensure that projects meet the needs of the University, solve business requirements, and are delivered on time.

01.02  SDLC processes are used to ensure the quality of technology projects.  Project Management Practices will be followed that use consistent components and procedures to ensure that timely and accurate information about information technology projects is available to project stakeholders and the greater university community.

01.03  The purpose of this UPPS is two-fold: to specify the responsibilities of the Administrative Systems Coordinating Council (ASCC), as outlined by the SDLC process; and to outline the operating procedures of the Information Technology Division in utilization of standard Project Management Practices. 

02.       DEFINITIONS

02.01  System Development Life Cycle (SDLC) - refers to a methodology for systems development. It provides a consistent framework of processes and deliverables needed in systems development. The SDLC methodology will be used in conjunction with the Project Management Practices project classifications for determining activities and deliverables.

02.02  Project Management Practices - refers to the methodology for managing information technology projects. It provides a consistent framework of processes from the inception of a project idea, through the planning, execution, and closeout of projects. The methodology includes a definition of the varying classifications of projects, and the required components of the methodology for each project classification as required by the Department of Information Resources’ Project Management Practices Rule §216.

02.03  System - refers to an organized collection of independent processes designed to work together in order to accomplish specific objectives.  The processes typically receive input from and provide output to other processes and even other systems. The processes may or may not be supported by automation.

03.       GOVERNANCE

The SDLC process is governed by the ASCC, chaired by the Vice President for Information Technology, or designee.

The application of Project Management Practices is governed by the Office of the Vice President for Information Technology and the Information Technology Council (ITC), chaired by the Vice President for Information Technology (VPIT).

03.01  The VPIT is the senior executive responsible for establishing institutional information policy, standards, and management control over all institutional information resources and technologies, including the preparation, publication, and modification of detailed operational guidelines for both the SDLC and the Project Management Practices.

The VPIT advises the President’s Cabinet of information technology impacts before administrative commitments are made.

The VPIT, or designee, will be an ex-officio member of any information technology advisory council across campus.

03.02  Other members of the ASCC include the chairs of the divisional priority committees (or designees). ASCC members make judgments regarding the relative priority of competing projects from a University perspective, and commit or recommend to the President’s Cabinet the commitment of necessary divisional fiscal and human resources. In addition, the appropriate Information Technology staff and the Chair of the Academic Computing Committee may serve as ex-officio members of the ASCC.

04.       GOVERNANCE RESPONSIBILITIES

04.01  The responsibilities of the ASCC are outlined as follows:

a.   Tracking of projects and reviewing alternatives, resourcing and priorities. Monitoring prioritized projects based on (1) the quantitative and qualitative assessment described in Attachment I; or (2) where two or more divisions are directly involved in the project or impacted by the project, or (3) ASCC members designating that oversight is warranted on a particular project.

b.   Sharing of divisional project status with members of the council.

c.   Resolving priority concerns regarding cross-divisional projects as outlined in Section 04.04 of UPPS No. 04.02.01, “Obtaining Technology Resources’ Systems and Services”.

d.   Reviewing or recommending ongoing education and training opportunities for SDLC.

e.   Reviewing or recommending modifications to SDLC policy and procedure.

f.    Ensuring regular meetings of divisional priority committees and coordination with ASCC activities.

04.02  The responsibilities of the ITC are outlined as follows:

a.   Ensuring the Project Management Practices are documented, repeatable, and include a single reference source (See www.vpit.txstate.edu, Quick Link: Information Technology Project Management Practices).

b.   Identifying the components and general use procedures of the Project Management Practices.

c.   Reviewing the Project Management Practices for continuous improvement, and to assess and measure the impact on the University’s ability to achieve its core mission.

05.       SCOPE

05.01  Scope of the SDLC methodology. It is applicable, in part or whole, when any system is being developed, modified, implemented or deleted. It applies to automated systems, and automated or non-automated processes.

05.02  Scope of Project Management Practices. It is applicable on all information technology projects. All projects must be identified as in support of the information technology objectives, which are in support of the University’s objectives.

06.       DESCRIPTION OF PROCESS

06.01  The SDLC process flow is outlined in Attachment II.

06.02  The Project Management Practices flow is outlined in Attachment III.

07.       APPEALS

07.01  When priority concerns arise, the concern may be elevated from the divisional priority committee to the ASCC in the form of an appeal. Other parties may also appeal to the ASCC. The appeals will be addressed in a timely fashion so that the timeframe for project completion is not adversely affected.

08.       REVIEWERS OF THIS UPPS

08.01  Reviewers of this UPPS include the following: 

Position                                                         Date

Assistant Vice President for                       July 1 E4Y

Technology Resources

 

Project Management Director,                   July 1 E4Y

Technology

09.       CERTIFICATION STATEMENT

This UPPS has been approved by the following individuals in their official capacities and represents Texas State policy and procedure from the date of this document until superseded.

Assistant Vice President for Technology Resources and ASCC Chair; senior reviewer of this UPPS

Vice President for Information Technology

President