The Administrative Processes, Procedures, and Systems (APPS) Group assess project proposals and systems requests from university offices and departments that specifically pertain to the integration of information systems. The APPS Group includes representation from academic and administrative offices whose experience and expertise will assist the oversight group with determining courses of action.
The APPS Group reviews and evaluates each request with objectivity and consistency before authorizing its purchase, implementation or development. First, the group determines if the request aligns well with the priorities set by the Executive Oversight Group. Next, members identify the technical functions necessary to fulfill the request and determine what solutions are available to comply with the university’s technical standards. After the APPS Group reviews the request, the final step is to assign a priority level to the project.
The following principles guide the APPS Group through the review process.
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Uphold the priorities set by the Executive Oversight Group
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New information systems must integrate with existing systems at a level sufficient to eliminate competing client services, prevent the duplication of stored data and eliminate the misuse of programming resources.
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No information system with sub-standard management, inadequate security, or limited availability will continue in the review process.
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Systems or projects must fulfill the functional needs requested and the technical requirements agreed upon to achieve comprehensive system integration, supportability, availability, and security.
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Systems or projects must improve or supplement existing services or produce new services to bring the university closer to achieving its stated goals.
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No systems will continue in the review process, which are not in unity with the institutional priorities and standards set by the Executive Oversight Group.
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Contributors to or consumers of a system’s data must have the opportunity to participate in the review and approval process of a system which affects their office workflow.
As part of the formal planning process, the APPS Group conducts and documents a needs analysis for each request prior to its approval. This planning step will examine the proposed request/need to assess its long-term value to the institution. Questions the group asks include:
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Does it fit within the Executive Oversight Group’s institutional priorities and technology standards?
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What are the benefits to the department, business area, and university?
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What many areas will benefit from implementing this system or project?
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What is the projected return on investment?
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What are the risks associated with its implementation?
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What are the projected purchasing and maintenance costs, both internal vs. outsourcing?
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Does this system or project improve services, either internal operations or external client service?
The approval or development of all information systems must adhere to the policies, standards, and procedures in this document. Preference will favor purchasing solutions to fulfill the need and comply with all of the University’s Information Technology policies and standards. In-house development or outsourcing to a third party will occur only when adequate solutions are not available on the open market.