Project Delivery Framework

On this page:

Project Delivery Framework Tools and Overview

Information about the Quality Assurance Team (QAT)

The Five Steps of the Project Delivery Framework

Good, consistent project management helps you successfully deliver projects on budget and on schedule. To make project management easier, the Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR) has collaborated with many statewide agencies to create the Project Delivery Framework templates (for “major” technology projects) and PM Essentials templates (for small-to-medium-scale projects under $5 million).

Keep Your Project on Track

Framework templates are designed to help agencies keep projects on track and comply with state requirements.

Texas Government Code, Chapter 2054, defines "major information resources project:"

Sec. 2054.003. (10)(A) any information resources technology project identified in a state agency's biennial operating plan whose development costs exceed $5 million and that: 

(i) requires one year or longer to reach operations status; 

(ii)  involves more than one state agency;  or 

(iii)  substantially alters work methods of state agency personnel or the delivery of services to clients;   

(B)  any information resources technology project designated by the legislature; and in the General Appropriations Act as a major information resources project.​ 

*(C) any information resources technology project of a state agency designated for additional monitoring under Section 2261.258(a)(1) if the development costs for the project exceed $5 million.

 

*New requirement as a result of the 87th Legislative Session

What is the Quality Assurance Team (QAT)?

The Quality Assurance Team (QAT) implements a consistent and repeatable approach for quality assurance review of Texas technology projects.

The QAT comprises representatives of four state agencies. The team’s primary mission is to ensure major projects are planned and managed wisely.

The QAT is authorized to:

  • Review projects before funds are spent
  • Report the status of major projects to state leaders
  • Determine how often a project should be monitored (e.g., monthly or quarterly)
  • Review amendments to contracts (if the cost exceeds 10 percent of the current contract amount)
  • Request project information—including updates on deliverables, audits, etc.

Every December, the QAT publishes an annual report that highlights the lessons they learned that year. The report will help agencies avoid common project pitfalls that lead to missed deadlines or budget overruns.

View the latest QAT Annual Report

The Five Steps of the Project Delivery Framework

Below, you will find the five steps that constitute the Framework and helpful templates you can download—some of which you must submit to the Quality Assurance Team (QAT).

Step 1: Initiate

In this step, you will define your project’s scope and budget (Statutory reference: 2054.303)

Templates

Description

Tools

Business Case

Statutory Reference 2054.303

Requires QAT review

Provides narrative comparison of business solution costs and project benefits based on a business case analysis process. Content can be used as the basis for developing the Biennial Operating Plan project detail (BOP). The BOP is a part of the LBB’s Legislative Appropriations Request (LAR) process. The Business Case can also support completion of the Information Resources (IR) Strategic Plan regarding management of information technology resources. NEW* Business Case Template

Business Case Workbook

Statutory Reference 2054.303

Requires QAT review

​Provides quantified estimates of business solution costs, project benefits, and return on investment. NEW* Business Case Workbook Template

Statewide Impact Analysis

Statutory Reference 2054.303​

Must be on file with QAT

​Provides information necessary for assessment of the project’s impact on use of information technology resources across the state. DIR assesses the impact based on the information provided.​

NEW* Statewide Impact Analysis Template

Technical Architecture Assessment

Statutory Reference 2054.303

 

Assessment of proposed technical architecture for project to ensure agency is using industry accepted architecture standards in planning for implementation. NEW* Technical Architecture Assessment Template
 

 

Step 2: Plan

In this step you will finalize the scope, budget, schedule, and deliverables of your project. You’ll also create plans to guide the project through execution and closure.

Required templates (2)

​Description

​​Tools​

Project Plan

Statutory Reference 2054.304 / 2054.1181

Must be on file with QAT

​Includes general planning information, monitoring and control methods, quality, communication, configuration, performance, and risk management.

NEW* Project Plan Template

 

Acquisition Plan

Statutory Reference

Must be on file with QAT

​Includes procurement planning information for acquiring goods and/or services outside of the organization through management of solicitations and contracts.

NEW* Acquisition Plan Template

Contract Management​ Guide

 

Step 3: Execute

In this step—typically the longest—you will build the project’s deliverables and present them to the project sponsor for sign-off.

Required template (1)

​Description

​​Tools​

Contract Amendment and Change Order Approval

Statutory Reference 2054.307 

If the Contract Amendment/Change is needed, it must be submitted to QAT 

​Use this template to document any changes in scope or cost.The form must be submitted to the QAT if an amendment/change is needed.

If an overage causes a particular contract to exceed the contract amount by 10% or more, you must fill out a change order.

If cumulative overages cause you to exceed your current total project costs (including contractor, hardware, software licenses, full-time equivalents, etc.) by more than 10%, you must resubmit your Business Case template from Step 1: Initiate and start over with reviews.

NEW* Contract Amendment and Change Order Approval Template

 

Step 4: Monitor and Control

In this step, you will track, review, and regulate your project’s progress. Once your project begins, you will use the required Monitoring Report to document the project’s status. You’ll deliver this report to the QAT on a schedule the QAT determines—e.g., every other month, once per quarter, etc.

​Required template (1)

​Description

​​Tools

Monitoring Report

Statutory Reference 2054.1181 

Submit on a schedule to be determined by QAT

​Provides project status information to QAT for monitoring purposes. 

*This version 1.9 includes public dashboard data points.

NEW* Monitoring Report Template

 

Step 5: Closing

In this step, you’ll determine what went right, what went wrong, and what lessons you can learn for your next project. Use this document to compare the results of your project to what you initially outlined in Step 1.

Required template (1)

​Description

​​Tools

Post-Implementation Review of Business Outcomes

Statutory Reference 2054.306

Must be on file with QAT

​Compares your results to your stated goals and objectives.

NEW* Post-Implementation Review of Business Outcomes Template

 

Questions?

If you need help with the Project Delivery Framework, contact us.

Project Delivery

Agency Submissions and Guidance

For document submissions/formal agency correspondence, contact the QAT.

Quality Assurance Team

About File Formats

Some documents on this page are in the PDF format. Please download the Adobe Reader in order to view these documents.