Design Review Transformation Project

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Anna Persha
Project Manager

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Progress update as of August 2026

Reporting period: July 2026

Project progress bar showing 34% complete

What happened in July? 

DRT Enhancement 1.1 deployed and monitored 

The team successfully deployed Enhancement 1.1 on July 7, 2026. Post‑release monitoring showed the enhancement is performing as expected, and updated support materials and communications continued to be refined based on customer feedback. The project was also presented to the Enterprise Security Governance Group, helping strengthen awareness and alignment across WaTech. 

Release 2.0 planning continued 

Release 2.0 planning advanced through continued refinement of the future-state process design and development. The team incorporated new criteria to expand on delegated reviews and reviewed with subject matter experts. 

July slowed progress and created schedule risks and resource constraints; the project team has been working closely with project leadership to evaluate scope to meet the Release 2.0 timeline.  

Executive Sponsor guidance continues to shape the future operating model, delegated review expectations, and the long-term vision for a unified process that integrates architecture, privacy, security, and AI considerations into a single technology review experience. 

Organizational readiness and engagement advanced 

The project team continued readiness and engagement activities by: 

  • Conducting the July Steering Committee meeting to review progress and gather leadership feedback. 

  • Continuing weekly Executive Sponsor sync meetings to accelerate alignment and decision-making. 

  • Advancing communications planning, culture change activities, and website updates. 

  • Shaping communications updates, training materials, and Release 2.0 planning with customer feedback. 

Why this matters 

The work completed in July supports the broader transformation of the technology review process by: 

  • Strengthening the future unified review model brings architecture, privacy, security, and AI into a single, consistent workflow. 

  • Improving future data quality and agency guidance to reduce rework. 

  • Streamlining delegated reviews while modernizing supporting operational processes. 

  • Addressing resource issues to improve long‑term delivery and adoption readiness. 

  • Building organizational alignment through frequent leadership engagement and clear strategic direction. 

  • Incorporating privacy and data governance expectations into a solution that will support analytics, reporting, and better decision-making. 

What’s next 

In August, the project team will: 

  • Finalize development and determine whether scope adjustments or an updated Release 2.0 timeline are needed. 

  • Continue refining review criteria, future-state process designs, roadmap priorities, and project success measures. 

  • Incorporate Executive Sponsor guidance into governance, design, and implementation planning. 

  • Advance communications planning and update the website in preparation for Release 2.0. 

  • Continuing culture change, engagement, and readiness work. 

  • Evaluate opportunities to use AI tools in the technology review process. 

How to stay informed 

Sign up to receive updates on the DRT project via GovDelivery. 

Design Review Transformation Project | WaTech (Opens in new window)

Project Overview

Quad chart with pictures of technology

The Design Review Transformation project modernizes how WaTech and state agencies work together on technology design reviews. The project replaces fragmented processes with a single, customer centered service that supports faster, more predictable decisions.

Key changes:

Unified intake and workflow
All new SaaS design review requests for supported use cases will come through a single ServiceNow entry point. This will reduce confusion, increase visibility, and provide a consistent experience.

Agency Performed Reviews (APR)
Agencies will take on more responsibility for low and medium complexity reviews, with WaTech in an advisory and partner role. This approach reduces the number of full WaTech led reviews and shortens review times.

Technology areas included in review
The design review process covers key domains to support safe, secure, and effective solutions:

  • Security
  • Architecture
  • Privacy
  • AI

Data-driven oversight and improvement
The project will collect structured data on submissions, cycle times, and outcomes. Dashboards will track performance, including review timelines, percentage of Agency Performed Reviews, backlog, and satisfaction scores.

Cultural shift from gatekeeper to partner
The new model encourages shared ownership. WaTech provides patterns, templates, training, and advisory support so agencies can feel prepared and confident in their own reviews.

Overall, DRT supports agencies by making design reviews clearer, faster, and more aligned to mission outcomes, while still meeting enterprise policy, security, and risk management needs.

Goals and Vision

Vision

Create a simple, unified, and transparent design review experience that helps agencies move faster, meet requirements, and deliver secure, effective technology solutions. Strengthen trust and collaboration between WaTech and agencies by shifting from a gatekeeping model to a customer centered partnership.

Goals
  • Provide agencies with clear, consistent guidance that supports confident self-service through Agency Performed Reviews.
  • Reduce the number of full WaTech reviews by 50 to 75 percent for supported SaaS use cases.
  • Improve review cycle times through unified intake, automated workflow, and streamlined handoffs.
  • Strengthen decision quality through coordinated review across Security, Architecture, Privacy, and AI.
  • Increase satisfaction for agencies submitting design reviews.
  • Deliver dashboards that track cycle time, backlog, APR percentages, and other key performance indicators.
  • Support adoption through training, communication, and advisory services.

These goals align with the project charter and guide every major decision as the project moves through each release.

Timeline

Gantt chart for a project roadmap

The project is using a phased approach so WaTech and agencies can learn from pilots and expand with confidence.

Discovery and Reset (2024 – mid 2025)

  • Gathered feedback from agencies on pain points and improvement ideas
  • Documented current processes and issues
  • Paused work during internal transitions
  • Relaunched with a new project team, updated charter, and guiding principles

Release 1 – Q1-Q2 2026 - Focus: Low complexity SaaS use case (limited pilot audience)

  • Configure and test ServiceNow intake and workflow
  • Validate roles and process steps across Security, Architecture, Privacy, and AI
  • Conduct training and support for pilot agencies
  • Share early findings, including benefits and issues to address

Release 2 – Q2-Q3 2026 - Focus: Expanded SaaS Use Cases 1 and 2

  • Extend ServiceNow based process to a broader set of agencies
  • Refine Agency Performed Review criteria and guidance
  • Deliver broader training and updated support materials
  • Begin regular dashboard reporting on key performance indicators

Post Release 2 – Q3 2026 and beyond - Focus: Full model and continuous improvement

  • Plan future releases for high complexity solutions and additional hosting models
  • Advance audit workflows and potential integrations with other tools
  • Use performance data and feedback to refine policies, guidance, and training
  • Maintain regular communication on improvements, successes, and upcoming changes

This page will update as the project moves through each phase and more details become available for agencies and stakeholders.

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