Project Delivery Framework

Public Dashboard of Major Information Resources Projects

Texas Government Code 2054.159 (e) requires DIR to create a public dashboard tool to represent project performance indicators for all major information resources projects. We are pleased to provide you the link to the dashboard here. Data will be updated regularly and in the coming months additional data points will be added so please check back often. The landing page is an overvall summary of all projects, to see individual agency projects, please click on the Project Status tab near the top. Questions? Send us an email to projectdelivery@dir.texas.gov. 

Project Delivery Framework

The Project Delivery Framework is designed for major, large-scale IT projects. Our templates are designed to help you capture all required information so that your project stays on track and outcomes are measurable. 

Various steps and templates in the Project Delivery Framework require approval from the Quality Assurance Team (QAT). 

Who is the QAT and why do I need their approval?

The Quality Assurance Team (QAT) is comprised of individuals from four agencies: Legislative Budget Board (LBB), Department of Information Resources (DIR), Comptroller of Public Accounts (CPA), and State Auditor’s Office (SAO). QAT is authorized to: 

• Approve projects before expenditure of appropriated funds, based on analysis of project risks
• Report the status of Major Information Resources Projects (MIRPs) to state leadership
• Determine the frequency of monitoring (monthly or quarterly)
• Perform approval of contract amendments if contract costs exceed 10 percent of current contract amount
• Request detailed project information, framework deliverable updates, audits, or assistance as necessary
• QAT publishes an annual report every December highlighting lessons learned over the past year. These learnings can help agencies anticipate common pitfalls that are consistently leading to missed deadlines and project overruns.

Information about file formats

What is the LBB? What is an LAR?

LBB: The Legislative Budget Board (LBB) is a permanent joint committee of the Texas Legislature that develops budget and policy recommendations for legislative appropriations, completes fiscal analyses for proposed legislation, and conducts evaluations and reviews to improve the efficiency and performance of state and local operations. Your Business Case must be approved at the agency level and submitted to QAT when the agency submits its LAR to the LBB. 

LAR: The Legislative Appropriations Request (LAR) is the bridge between an agency's strategic plan and the General Appropriations Act (GAA), providing a fiscal expression of each agency's priorities. It is the formal request for funding made by each state agency and institution. Your Business Case can be used to help you with the components of your LAR. 

Please note: QAT approves projects only after Biennial Operating Plans (BOPs) are submitted and approved by LBB. While QAT can approve out-of-cycle projects within 30 days of a Business Case submission, there must be, however, an approved BOP or BOP Amendment on file with LBB. 

Step 2: Plan 

In Step 2 you will:

• Finalize scope, budget, schedule, and project deliverables
• Create a set of plans to guide your team through execution and project closure

The grid below contains the two templates required for Step 2. Each must be submitted to the QAT. Although QAT approval is not required in Step 2, both templates must be on file with QAT, and QAT may provide helpful feedback.

Two Required Templates for Step 2: Plan

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IMPORTANT: You may not solicit vendors until: 

• Business Case and Business Case Workbook templates from Step 1 are approved by QAT 
• Statewide Impact Analysis template from Step 1 and all templates from Step 2 are on file with QAT 
• Please submit the above documents to QAT.LBB@lbb.state.tx.us

Step 3: Execute 

The execution phase is typically the longest phase in the project lifecycle and consumes the most energy and resources. In Step 3 you will: 

• Build the physical project deliverables
• Present them to the project sponsor for signoff

Here is the required template for Step 3, as well as seven optional templates. 

Required Template for Step 3: Execute

Seven Optional Templates for Step 3: Execute

Although these templates are not required, they provide best practices. They will be very helpful as you conduct useful testing and document your test cases. 

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Step 4: Monitor & Control 

Step 4  is an ongoing phase that allows you to: 

• Track, review, and regulate the progress and performance of your project 

Once you start executing your project, the required Monitoring Report template will function as a status report. It is to be delivered to QAT on a schedule that QAT will determine (i.e., bi-monthly, quarterly, etc.). 

Required Template for Step 4: Monitor & Control

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Step 5: Closing

What went right? What went wrong? Too often we tend to finish a project and move on to the next one without taking the time to capture valuable lessons learned or to document ways we could improve the process for future projects. Step 5 is the time to determine:

• Did we achieve the benefits we projected in our Business Case?
• Are we saving money as a result?

Here is the template required for Step 5: Closing. It will allow you to measure success against the original Business Case submitted in Step 1: Initiate. 

Required Template for Step 5: Closing

Information about file formats

Have Questions?

For more information about the Project Delivery Framework, contact projectdelivery@dir.texas.gov.​

We Value Your Feedback 

If you have suggestions that could make the framework templates more helpful, please visit the Framework Change Advisory Process page. ​​