IT Governance at VCU
IT governance is the process used to review and make recommendations on IT investment and capability decisions at VCU. It is utilized when someone wants to pursue, purchase, renew or find a technology solution to meet an identified business, teaching, research or operational need. Effective IT governance aims to ensure that the best investments are selected to support and enable VCU’s mission, vision, goals and strategy, while also reviewing investments through a risk management lens.
The IT governance process follows an established framework that allows for broader collaboration and coordination amongst executive leadership, subject matter experts, IT departments, faculty, staff, students and VCU Health system stakeholders to review all IT investments made at VCU. Additionally, the IT Governance process allows for more detailed and in depth planning, resourcing and implementation of IT investments.
IT Governance Committee Structure
The IT governance committees, under the sponsorship of the Chief Information Officer (CIO), enable the review and decision-making process required to ensure IT empowers the University to excel in its mission. They provide a common approach to solicit, review, prioritize and execute information technology investments involving VCU IT resources.
Technology Procurement Committee
The Technology Procurement Committee reviews all IT Governance submissions at intake. This committee ensures all of the required documentation is submitted for review whether a submission is low or high impact. Within this committee the applicable information security and accessibility reviews take place. This committee then initiates the workflow for either high versus low impact review workflows.
Academic Technology Committee
The Academic Technology Committee (ATC) reviews high impact academic IT investments to align IT strategies, services, and operations with VCU's mission, vision, and goals. This is to ensure efficient, effective, and secure use of IT resources in relation to academic technology across VCU. The committee reviews technology investments impacting teaching, learning, advising, and student life and makes recommendations on the purchase, implementation and continuing evolution of various academic technology services.
Administrative & Operational Technology Committee
The Administrative & Operational Technology Committee (AOTC) reviews high impact administrative and operational IT investments to align IT strategies, services, and operations with VCU's mission, vision, and goals. This is to ensure efficient, effective, and secure use of IT resources in relation to administrative and operational technology across VCU. The committee considers and recommends enterprise IT needs and requirements that align with the university strategic plan and future trends in higher education. The committee consults on priorities for the implementation and continuing evolution of the applications and services that support key university business processes.
Strategic IT Council
The Strategic IT Council (SITC) acts as the decision making entity for high impact IT investments. They provide a university-wide IT vision, considering and recommending IT needs and requirements that align with the university strategic plan and future trends in higher education and VCU Quest 2028. The committee works to encourage innovation while managing risk, seeks opportunities for cross-campus collaboration, and promotes timely and sound decision making for high impact IT investments.
Governance Advisory Groups
Technology Services sponsors numerous campus advisory groups. These groups offer faculty, students, and staff to have a voice in the decisions and direction of IT at VCU.