UNT System IT Shared Services Governance

Submitted by cws on Fri, 2011-12-16 15:24

IT Shared Services follows an overarching IT shared services governance model for the University of North Texas System (UNTS). The three-layer governance framework allows for flexibility, priority setting and resource allocations for IT shared services. The framework is designed to provide a defined process without being bureaucratic. The goal of the governance structure is to provide for effective prioritization and allocation of IT resources to meet strategic goals at the UNT System and institutional levels.

The framework applies only to UNTS IT shared services, not local campus IT services.

The three components (layers) of the governance structure and associated councils are:

  1. Shared Services Council (SSC) is comprised of the UNTS Chancellor and the three university presidents, all of whom are the voting members of the Shared Services Council. The council is charged with making decisions regarding funding, the high-level allocation of IT resources, and major project decisions; such as, things that need to go to the UNTS Board of Regents for approval.
  2. IT Governance Council (ITGC) is comprised of campus and system CIOs, CFOs and provosts. This group makes decisions regarding project priorities based on campus-wide and system-wide business priorities. Business decisions drive ITSS project priorities using this model.
  3. Five IT Program Management Committees (ITPMCs) comprise the model's third layer. The composition of these committees is populated with the appropriate individuals by the IT Governance Council. Their charge is to formulate projects and priorities within their scope, make decisions as provided by the ITGC, and forward to the ITGC projects for prioritization that are outside the scope of their authority to approve. The scope of these committees include:
    1. Academic and Research (only for shared items; such as, system-wide contracts, Blackboard Distance Learning System, etc.)
    2. IT Infrastructure and Strategy (technology systems, IT strategy/planning, etc.)
    3. Productivity and collaboration (e-mail, SharePoint, content management, etc.)
    4. Student-related enterprise applications (Financial Aid and Scholarships, Student Records, Early Warning, etc.)
    5. Finance-related enterprise applications (Finance, General Ledger, Human Resources, Payroll, Purchasing, etc.)

The governance model ensures that:

  1. Business goals come first.
  2. Priorities are set and adhered to unless major events require changes via the governance committees.
  3. The projects are reported back to each ITPMC and the ITGC.

Additionally, the Chancellor and three university presidents have set the guideline that if the ITGC cannot approve a high-priority project due to lack of funding or resources, the ITGC can forward the project to the SSC for a future budget cycle.