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A Publication Featuring The Information Services
Technology of Maine State Government
| Volume VIII, Issue 1 | January/February 2005 |
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CIO Update
By Dick Thompson, Chief Information Officer The Information Technology (IT) community and its customers have lots to think about. Many changes have occurred with many more ahead. We, as a group, have organized in a way that can and likely will be emulated across other disciplines in State government. |
Let’s take a look at the last year. Two new, important policies were implemented. The Portfolio Management Planning Process has replaced the agency IT Plan as the document used to collect, evaluate and strategically prioritize investment in the technology assets of State Government. This system is in its infancy, but remains a strong catalyst for meeting the business objectives of the Administration and the agencies we serve.
Project Management is now a requirement on many of the initiatives underway and for all new development projects. This will provide the needed oversight and resources to be sure the State and its citizens get what we pay for. The message is clear to our vendor partners, we require a fair deal and quality work. The message is also clear that we must provide sufficient resources (business and IT) to meet our commitments in the project development process.
The most significant achievement I have seen, is the development of the State Information and Technology Management Plan. This blue print is intended to communicate to those we serve how we intend to govern ourselves and get the job done. It sets lofty goals and provides the Administration with a mechanism to impact IT strategically. Make no mistake it is a significant and valuable portion of the State’s infrastructure and assets.
The planning efforts I have described have been the result of hard work on the part of the senior Information Technology managers across the agencies and the Office of Information Technology (OIT).
Even as these management changes were occurring, Maine achieved:
One example of cross agency collaboration is the successful XML-based data sharing node project involving the Maine Department of Environmental Protection and Department of Health and Human Services’ Bureau of Health in cooperation with the (federal) USEPA. Another project underway between the State Controller and the Department of Labor will build upon the time and attendance system to streamline some human resources and travel request processes. Maine Departments of Transportation and Public Safety continue to share resources in remote locations to provide data access to those who need it. The successes are frequent amongst many agencies, and they will continue.
The recent Executive Order on Information Technology implements major portions of the Information and Technology Management Plan, including the development of the Chief Information Officer (CIO) Council. This group has been formed and is charged with providing advice, oversight, and resources to the CIO. The Office of the CIO and Bureau of Information Services have been merged to form a single cohesive unit. Additionally, a list of the CIO Council subcommittees and membership to address the direct requests of the Governor’s Executive Order is forming. We have lots to do for sure.
Communication is extremely important to the success of managing change. A priority for me is to work with the CIO Council on effective and timely mechanisms to communicate and educate the IT community, our customers, and interested parties.
Though the Maine IS Technology newsletter has been very well produced issue after issue by Mary Cloutier and a fine editorial board, I am asking that the MIST in its current form be curtailed, at least for now -- a hiatus so to speak. The expectation is to develop timely, direct communication to keep people up to date on our progress over the next weeks and months on the planning processes to meet the requirements of the Executive Order and proposed statutory change, IT initiatives, and successes across state government.
Please join me in giving Mary and the editorial board our thanks and admiration for a job well done over the years. Mary is currently working in our Strategic Division on many new things, so you will be hearing from her, I am sure.
