Capital Planning and Investment Control (CPIC)

Capital Planning and Investment Control (CPIC) is the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) primary process for making investment decisions, assessing investment process effectiveness, and refining investment related policies and procedures. CPIC is mandated by the Clinger-Cohen Act which requires agencies to use a disciplined process to acquire, use, maintain and dispose of information technology (IT). CPIC accomplishes these requirements through three phases: Select Phase, Control Phase, and Evaluate Phase.

Several guiding principles govern the HHS CPIC process, they include:

Define Accountability: All parties will have clearly defined roles and responsibilities, and are expected to follow the process
Add Value: CPIC is not merely a regulatory requirement, but an opportunity for HHS IT to better govern and manage its portfolio, increasing return on investment. Only metrics that will be acted on will be captured.
Be Relevant: The process will be simple and flexible, yet effective. HHS will seriously consider input from Operational Divisions (OPDIVs) on process and solution needs, and will strive for consistency and to accommodate unique OPDIV needs.
Manage by Exception: The emphasis in reporting will be on variances from approved milestones, issues requiring executive decisions. Investments that are performing in accordance with planned cost, schedule and performance baselines will have a lighter reporting burden.
Generate Decisions: Decisions will be clearly sought, made, documented, and communicated by the appropriate governing body.

More information about Capital Planning and Investment Control at HHS can be found in the following CPIC Policy and Procedures documents.