BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center H.B. 1789
By: Pitts (Hegar)
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
The Texas Project Delivery Framework (framework) was enacted during the 79th Regular Session and provides guidance for the delivery of major information technology (IT) projects. The framework requires development of a business case, analysis of the project's statewide impact, and evaluation of business outcomes after a project is implemented. Newly introduced project management practices, in conjunction with the framework, provide an integrated replacement for internal quality assurance procedures.
Current law also requires an Electronic Government Program Management Office within the Department of Information Resources. The framework accomplishes the purpose of DIR more efficiently by requiring each agency to follow consistent steps in the development and implementation of a major information resources project.
H.B. 1789 defines and requires the use of IT project management practices, requires state agencies to use IT project management practices that are consistent with DIR guidelines, and clarifies the role of the Quality Assurance Team, which includes the Legislative Budget Board, State Auditor's Office, and DIR, regarding the evaluation of major information resources projects. The bill also deletes the Electronic Government Program Management Office as a required entity within DIR.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
Rulemaking authority previously granted to the Department of Information Resources is modified in SECTION 3 (Section 2054.118, Government Code) and SECTION 9 (Section 2054.153, Government Code) of this bill.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 2054.055(b), Government Code, to delete a list compiled by the Department of Information Resource's (DIR) program management office from the information gathered under Sections 2055.152 (Strategic and Biennial Operating Plans) and 2055.153 (Reports on Electronic Government Projects) of the electronic government projects that are managed by the office or have been selected for management under Chapter 2055 (Electronic Government Program Management), Government Code, from the requirements the report must include. Makes conforming changes.
SECTION 2. Amends Sections 2054.113(b) and (c), Government Code, to provide that DIR, rather than the program management office, is authorized to approve duplication of an infrastructure component of TexasOnline and exempt a state agency from this section if it determines the agency has fully complied with Section 2054.111 (Use of TexasOnline Project), Government Code.
SECTION 3. Amends Section 2054.118(b), Government Code, to require DIR to develop rules or guidelines for its review of major information resources projects and project management practices for the projects, and delete existing text requiring the department to develop guidelines for software development and quality assurance.
SECTION 4. Amends Section 2054.1182(a), Government Code, to require a state agency to evaluate and report to the quality assurance team on whether the project met the agency's objectives or other expectations after a major information resources project has been completed. Makes conforming changes.
SECTION 5. Amends Section 2054.128(b), Government Code, to delete existing text authorizing DIR to delegate the coordination of efforts under this section to a program management office (office) if DIR has an office.
SECTION 6. Amends the heading to Subchapter G, Chapter 2054, Government Code, to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER G. PROJECT MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
SECTION 7. Amends Section 2054.151(b), Government Code, to provide that the legislature finds that to ensure the successful completion of all information resources projects all projects must be managed using project management practices. Deletes existing text providing that the legislature finds that to ensure the successful completion of all but the smallest or lowest risk projects each state agency must develop and implement its own internal quality assurance procedures.
SECTION 8. Amends Section 2054.152, Government Code, to define "project management practices" rather than "internal quality assurance procedures."
SECTION 9. Amends Section 2054.153, Government Code, to require DIR by rule to establish guidelines for project management practices that take into account varying levels of project size and complexity, rather than model guidelines for state agencies to use in developing their own internal quality assurance procedures. Requires DIR to consult with state agencies and accommodate existing project management practices of state agencies in developing the guidelines. Deletes existing text setting forth certain issues DIR guidelines must address.
SECTION 10. Amends Section 2054.154, Government Code, to make conforming changes.
SECTION 11. Amends Section 2054.156, Government Code, as follows:
Sec. 2054.156. STATE AGENCY DUTIES. (a) Requires each state agency to manage information resources projects, rather than develop internal quality assurance procedures, based on project management practices that are consistent with DIR guidelines under Section 2054.153 (Department Guidelines), Government Code. Deletes existing text requiring each state agency to use its internal quality assurance procedures to evaluate each of its projects that is not exempt under Section 2054.155 (Exemption for Certain Projects), Government Code.
(b) Requires the agency's information resources manager to oversee the implementation of the agency's project management practices, rather than internal quality assurance procedures, except to the extent that the agency contracts with another governmental entity or with a private entity to develop or implement all or part of the procedures. Makes a nonsubstantitive change.
(c) Requires the agency's information resources manager to demonstrate in the agency strategic plan the extent to which the agency uses its project management practices, rather than internal quality assurance procedures.
SECTION 12. Amends Section 2054.157, Government Code, to make conforming changes.
SECTION 13. Amends Section 2054.303(b), Government Code, to require the agency to file the documents with the quality assurance team, rather than DIR, Legislative Budget Board, and state auditor's office, when the agency files its legislative appropriations requires.
SECTION 14. Amends Section 2054.306, Government Code, to make conforming changes.
SECTION 15. Amends the heading to Chapter 2055, Government Code, to read as follows:
CHAPTER 2055. ELECTRONIC GRANT SYSTEM.
SECTION 16. Repealer: Section 2054.003(11) (defining "program management office"), Section 2054.1185 (Delay of Technology Initiative), Section 2054.155 (Exemption for Certain Projects), Sections 2055.001(3) (defining "office") and (5) (defining "consortia project"), Subchapter B (Department of Information Resources; Program Management Office), Subchapter C (Management of Electronic Government Projects), and Subchapter D (Additional Planning, Oversight, and Reports), Chapter 2055 (Electronic Government Program Management), Government Code.
SECTION 17. Makes application of this Act prospective.
SECTION 18. Requires DIR to adopt the guidelines and establish the program, as required by Sections 2054.153 and 2054.154, Government Code, as amended by this Act, not later than October 1, 2007.
SECTION 19. Requires each state agency to comply with the guidelines adopted by DIR under Section 2054.153, Government Code, as amended by this Act, not later than November 1, 2007.
SECTION 20. Effective date: September 1, 2007.