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Overview of the Texas Project Delivery Framework
The Texas Project Delivery Framework (Framework) is an initiative of the Department of
Information Resources (DIR) to establish a consistent, statewide method for project selection,
control, and evaluation based on alignment with business goals and objectives. Utilizing the
Framework will ensure that state leadership has the tools and information to guide technology
deployment towards the right business outcome.
The Framework consists of five stage gates with guidance and tools for each of the gates. A
stage gate is a distinct division of effort for a specified purpose during project delivery. Each
stage gate is intended to synchronize the state’s investment in a project based on approval of
business outcomes at a specific point during project delivery. Completion of a stage gate
requires agency head approval based on careful assessment of whether a project is ready to
proceed to the next project delivery stage. The stage gates are:
• Business Justification – initial stage gate for selection and approval of the project
• Project Planning – planning for both project management and technology-related
activities and deliverables
• Solicitation and Contracting – development and management of IT solicitations and
contracts
• Project Implementation – software development and testing based on project planning
deliverables
• Benefits Realization – final stage gate for measurement and evaluation of all project
outcomes
Applicability
HB 1516 requires that the key components from the Texas Project Delivery Framework
(Framework) must be used by each state agency for major information resources projects.
A major information resources project as defined in Government Code, Title 10 General
Government, Chapter 2054 Information Resources, Section 003 Definitions meets one of the
following requirements:
1) Any information resources technology project identified in a state agency's biennial
operating plan whose development costs exceed $1 million and that:
requires one year or longer to reach operations status;
involves more than one state agency, or
substantially alters work methods of state agency personnel or the delivery of services
to clients.
2) Any information resources technology project designated by the legislature in the General
Appropriations Act as a major information resources project.
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Note: Major information resources projects are referred to as Category A projects in TxDOT
project procedure documentation, including the new Information Services Guide for
Information Technology document.
Guideline and Forms
The Department of Information Resources (DIR), in consultation with the Legislative Budget
Board (LBB) and the State Auditor’s Office (SAO), is developing and providing guidelines and
forms for the required components of HB 1516. TxDOT and other state agencies are
involved in the development of all components of the Framework through participation in
focus groups.
Business Case and Statewide Impact Analysis
For each proposed major information resources project, a state agency must prepare:
• A business case providing the initial justification for the project, including the anticipated
return on investment in terms of cost savings and efficiency for the project
• A statewide impact analysis of the project’s effect on the state’s common information
resources infrastructure, including the possibility of reusing code or other resources.
Both the business case and statewide impact analysis must be filed with DIR, LBB and SAO
when the agency files its legislative appropriations request (LAR). DIR will use the analysis
to ensure that the proposed project does not unnecessarily duplicate existing statewide
information resources technology.
Note: The business case documents include much of the same information that is currently
prepared for the Biennial Operating Plan (BOP) / Information Technology Detail (ITD) for
large projects. The business case also includes documentation on the agency methodology
used for project evaluation, selection and prioritization. TxDOT will utilize the Framework
business case and statewide impact analysis forms and instructions provided by DIR when
creating these documents.
Project Plans
For each proposed major information resources project, a state agency must prepare and file
a project plan with the Quality Assurance Team (QAT) and the Texas Building and
Procurement Commission (TBPC) before:
• 10% of the allocated funds for the project are spent; or
• A vendor solicitation has been issued.
The TBPC or the state agency may not issue (post) a vendor solicitation unless the project
plan has been filed.
Note: The project plan is similar to the project management plan (PMP) currently created for
each TxDOT project. TxDOT will either adopt the Framework project plan provided by DIR or
make needed modifications to the current PMP.
Procurement Plans and Method For Monitoring Contracts
Before issuing a vendor solicitation for a project, a state agency must develop, consistent
with DIR guidelines:
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• A procurement plan with anticipated service levels and performance standards for each
vendor
• A method for monitoring changes to the scope of each contract.
Note: TxDOT will utilize the Framework forms and instructions provided by DIR when creating
these documents.
Post-Implementation Review
After the implementation of each major information resources project, a state agency must
prepare a Post-Implementation Review report. The report must be filed with DIR and SAO.
Approval of Documents and Contract Changes
A state agency’s executive director, information resources manager (IRM), and the
designated project manager, and the agency employee in charge of information security for
the agency must approve and sign each Framework document required in HB 1516 for major
information resources projects, including the Business Case, the Statewide Impact Analysis,
the Project Plan, the Procurement Plan, the Post-Implementation Review report and any
other related document that the agency chooses to include in the approval process.
The agency’s executive director must approve a proposed contract amendment or change
order for a major information resources project if the amendment for the change order:
• Changes the monetary value of the contract by more than 10%; or
• Significantly changes the completion date of the contract.
Although not mentioned in HB 1516, documentation on the Framework states that the agency
head (executive director) must approve stage gate deliverables based on ongoing
involvement, assessment, support and input by agency staff. The documentation also states
that project delivery responsibility must not be delegated to the Chief Information Officer
(CIO) or Information Resources Manager (IRM).