U.S. Department of Commerce
Office of the Chief Information Officer

Commerce Information Technology
Review Board Policy

What is the Commerce Information Technology Review Board (CITRB)?
What is the purpose of the CITRB?
Why do we need an IT review board?
What kind of IT projects does the CITRB review?
Who are the members of the CITRB?
What evaluation criteria does the CITRB use to assess new and ongoing projects?
What process does the CITRB use to evaluate new projects?
When does the CITRB meet?
May I request advice from the CITRB?
Who can answer questions about the CITRB and its processes?

What is the Commerce Information Technology Review Board (CITRB)?

The CITRB is an executive level board that provides advice to the Secretary and Deputy Secretary regarding certain IT investments.

What is the purpose of the CITRB?

The CITRB provides oversight, review, and advice to the Secretary and Deputy Secretary on IT investments that meet certain criteria. This advice includes recommendations for approval or disapproval of funding for new IT systems or major modifications to existing systems. The CITRB also makes recommendations for continuing, modifying, or terminating existing systems based on performance, cost, or schedule criteria. See the CITRB charter for additional details.

Why do we need an IT review board?

Best practice guidance derived from organizations that successfully manage IT projects suggests that use of review boards in the IT selection and control phases is essential. The CITRB assists the Chief Information Officer in fulfilling his role as advisor to the Secretary and Under Secretary on IT issues and complying with provisions of the Clinger Cohen Act.

What kind of IT projects does the CITRB review?

Systems that may be reviewed by the CITRB meet one or more of he following criteria: systems meriting special attention due to their sensitivity, mission criticality, or risk potential; Department-wide systems; systems where resources are shared between operating units and/or the Department; and systems with life cycle costs over $25 million.

Who are the members of the CITRB?

The CITRB is chaired by the Chief Information Officer and co-chaired by the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Assistant Secretary for Administration. Other members include the Deputy CIO; the Deputy CFO; the CIO's from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Bureau of the Census, National Institute of Standards and Technology, and International Trade Administration, and, on a rotating term basis not to exceed two years unless waived by the CIO, two other operating unit CIOs.

What evaluation criteria does the CITRB use to assess new and ongoing projects?

The evaluation criteria the CITRB uses to evaluate new projects changes somewhat from year to year based on lessons learned from the previous year. A key goal of the evaluation criteria is to assess the viability of the project in terms of overall risks and returns. See the CITRB Evaluation Criteria. Systems under development may be reviewed by the CITRB at critical milestones or when performance, cost, or schedule goals are in jeopardy.

What process does the CITRB use to evaluate new projects?

Proposed new IT projects come before the CITRB when budget proposals are due, usually in June. Project sponsors provide documentation to support new IT initiatives to the Office of the Chief Information Officer and the CITRB. Project sponsors also brief the CITRB on the merits of their projects during the budget review process. The CITRB uses the criteria mentioned above to rate and rank IT projects. Project ratings and recommendations are provided to the Office of Budget and Departmental executives. Those projects that receive high ratings generally receive priority status in the budget approval process.

The Board also evaluates projects under development to ensure that the investments are meeting cost, schedule, and performance goals, and after implementation to assess lessons learned. For more detail on the types of reviews conducted, see CITRB Expectations.

When does the CITRB meet?

The CITRB meets frequently during the IT budget review cycle in May and June. At other times the CITRB meets monthly or on an as-needed basis when emerging issues require their attention.

May I request advice from the CITRB?

Yes. If you are responsible for a system that may be experiencing schedule, cost, or performance problems, you may ask the CITRB to review the project and make recommendations for getting it back on track.

Who can answer questions about the CITRB and its processes?

Diana Hynek (202) 482-0266 or dhynek@doc.gov.

Supersedes policy dated: None
Origination date: November 30, 2000
Approved by: Roger Baker, Chief Information Officer, November 30, 2000
Revision status: August 17, 2007