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Albany, NY - The Center for Technology in Government (CTG) at the University at Albany-SUNY recently released a report outlining five recommendations targeted at building new capability for enterprise information technology investment decision making for New York State. The recommendations extend existing enterprise information technology (IT) governance capability by introducing a new level of transparency in decision making, increasing the opportunity for alignment of IT investments with New York State’s strategic priorities, and fostering the development of policies and standards to guide those investments. 

The recommendations for change were developed through a collaborative, consensus-driven year-long process conducted by CTG on behalf of the New York State CIO community. Numerous workshops, meetings, and discussions focused on IT investment decision making were held with stakeholders at all levels in the state. 

“Throughout this process most participants agreed that while there are many strengths in the current IT governance structure, New York is not realizing the full potential of technology due to limitations in the state’s current enterprise IT governance capability,” said Theresa Pardo, director of CTG. “We need new levels of capability for coordinated action across organizational boundaries for government to realize the transformative potential of technology and to cope with new economic imperatives.” 

“New York State is approaching a crossroads in its approach to IT governance. This report by CTG represents over a year of high-quality, collaborative work with all stakeholders. It will serve as a critical guide in our deliberations in how to move forward in creating an IT governance framework for New York that will improve services for citizens as well as achieve significant savings by providing for better coordination among government entities,” assemblywoman RoAnn M. Destito (D/WF-Rome), the chair of the Assembly Standing Committee on Governmental Operations, stated. “At a time when our state faces many challenges and difficult choices, I applaud CTG and the University at Albany for being part of the solution.”

The five recommendations in the report are:

1. Establish the Executive Enterprise Governance Board (EEGB) to ensure alignment of enterprise IT decision making with current state policies and strategic priorities.
2. Establish an Information Technology Investment Board (ITIB).
3. Adopt the CIO Council Charter as drafted by the CIO Council Action Team Co-Chairs.
4. Establish a Technology Services Advisory Council (TSAC) to oversee the centralized IT services state agencies purchase from CIO/OFT.
5. Establish a temporary Enterprise IT Governance Implementation Committee with responsibility to implement the new IT governance structures and design a process for periodic review and assessment of how the new structure enhances the transparency, efficiency, and coordination of the state’s enterprise IT investment decisions.

“This report is the culmination of months of effort by CTG working in collaboration with key New York State IT leaders. It delivers on its promise to critically examine the ‘state of the practice’ of IT governance at the enterprise level, and to recommend techniques that New York State could adopt to more effectively coordinate IT activities and leverage investments,” said Nancy Mulholland, CIO of NYS Department of Transportation. “This report provides valuable advice to assist New York State leaders in their continuing efforts to improve the state’s IT governance process.”

“The recommendations put forward by CTG will build the foundation for an innovative collaboration framework where state agencies can jointly develop and deploy cost-effective technology solutions for delivering outcome focused benefits and services to needy families,” said Daniel Chan, CIO of NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance.

“The proposed enhanced enterprise IT Governance structure will make an already good governance system better, and the local government IT community is proud to be part of the process. The New York State local government IT leadership is committed to active partnerships with the New York State Office of the CIO, CIO Council and the CIO Council Leadership Committee,” said Edward E. Hemminger, president of the New York State Local Government IT Director’s Association. 

The report, Creating Enhanced Enterprise Information Technology Governance for New York State: A Set of Recommendations for Value-Generating, can be downloaded at: https://www.ctg.albany.edu/publications/itgov_recommendations

The mission of the Center for Technology in Government at the University at Albany is to foster public sector innovation, enhance capability, generate public value, and support good governance. We carry out this mission through applied research, knowledge sharing, and collaboration at the intersection of policy, management, and technology. 

The University at Albany-SUNY has a broad mission of excellence in undergraduate and graduate education, life-enhancing research and scholarship, and a commitment to public service. A University at Albany education brings the world within reach to students through nine schools and colleges, and an honors college. A student body of more than 17,000 students has a global connection to more than 140,000 alumni. For more information about this internationally ranked institution, visit www.albany.edu. For UAlbany's extensive roster of faculty experts, visit www.albany.edu/news/experts.php.