The Enterprise Program Management Office (EPMO) has been established in order to provide governance for all Major IT Development Projects. This includes conveying the technically and financially sound project management practices from initiation through closeout of MITDPs, evaluating and overseeing the health and viability of these MITDPs, and ensuring compliance with statutory regulations. The EPMO supports state law set forth in MD State Fin & Pro Code §§ 3A 301-309. This law addresses MITDP development, oversight, and funding and issues direction related to IT program management needed to successfully initiate, budget, plan, manage, and complete MITDPs.
Our goal is to establish repeatable processes and provide guidance to improve the success rate of and value delivered by MITDPs. This includes the responsibility for:
- System Development Life Cycle - Project Health Tracking, Performance Metrics, Reporting & Deliverables/Templates
- Portfolio Governance - Policies, Processes & Standards
- Project Management Guidance - Best Practices & Lessons Learned
The EPMO works with agencies to:
- Understand the compliance and reporting practices under the MITDP statute
- Obtain necessary information and documentation to facilitate accurate assessments of the projects performance and risk factors
- Ensure value is being delivered for the appropriated funding
While EPMO provides oversight, it does not participate in the execution of MITDPs. Project execution remains the responsibility of a project or program team independent of the EPMO.
The State's approach to project management is based on the System Development Life Cycle (SDLC), which provides project managers with a repeatable process to guide them through the planning and execution of successful IT projects. The SDLC is a key aspect of the State's Oversight Methodology and should be used by all project managers to promote the development of safe, secure and reliable systems.
The benefits of good project management and following the SDLC are the improved ability to deliver projects on time, in scope and within budget, as well as satisfy an agency's business needs. Templates are available to provide assistance through the main phases of the SDLC.
This direction, guidelines and support also assist agencies in understanding the roles and responsibilities and requirements relating to Major IT development (MITDP) projects.
