The CMS Integrated IT Investment & System Life Cycle Framework (ILC) is a comprehensive set of policies, processes, procedures, standards, artifacts, reviews, and resources that provides guidance for information technology (IT) investment and system life cycle management.  The ILC provides a foundation and supporting structure designed to aid in the successful planning, engineering, implementation, maintenance, management, and governance of CMS IT investments and system life cycle projects. 

The ILC covers the entire life of an IT investment, which is the period of time that begins when an IT investment is first conceived and ends when the investment no longer exists.  In most cases, an IT investment is equivalent to an IT project.  However, in some cases, an IT Investment may be comprised of multiple IT projects.  An IT investment may also be described as an IT Program.  CMS has grouped related projects into IT programs; managing them in coordinated way in order to obtain benefits and control not available from managing them individually as standalone projects.

CMS established the initial version of the ILC in October 2004, at which time it was referred to the “Framework”.  In November 2006, CMS began updating and refining the Framework to better serve current and future needs of the Agency and to align with the Enterprise Performance Life Cycle (EPLC), which was established by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).  To date, the nomenclature has changed to ILC, which stands for Investment Life Cycle, to provide a more inclusive title.  The ILC continues to be refined to ensure it is the most effective methodology for IT Investment Management.

Information on all aspects of the ILC is provided, including information on the life cycle phases, artifacts and reviews, which is accessible via the left-side menu bar.  Where applicable links are provided in the “Related Links Inside CMS” and the “Related Links Outside CMS” sections.

As we believe continuous improvement is a necessity within the realm of IT Governance, some elements of the ILC are more mature than others.  Over time, CMS will be updating, refining, and expanding the ILC information.  The Spotlight page contains details on the most current enhancements that have been to the website.

The "ILC Framework Overview - Graphical Version" download provides a graphical depiction of the ILC.  A corresponding textual version of the download is also provided, which is fully accessible.  In addition, a download entitled "Selecting a Development Approach," provides guidance for choosing an appropriate system development methodology.