Strategic Advisory Services

Overview

The WaTech Director & State CIO is statutorily responsible and has an expressed mandate from the governor’s office and the legislature to ensure the success of mission-critical, enterprise-level projects and programs. To fulfill these expectations, the State CIO and Chief of Staff (COS) actively engage with agency program leadership to offer guidance and value-added recommendations. They may also participate in executive steering committees, attend technical briefings, and coordinate WaTech services to deliver comprehensive, multidisciplinary support that drives program success. Additionally, the State CIO and COS are responsible for timely communications with the governor’s office, legislature, and the Technology Services Board (TSB), providing status updates, addressing critical escalations, and requesting action from the authorizing environment as needed.

To enhance the outcomes, processes, and performance of large, complex, high-profile initiatives, WaTech established Strategic Advisory Services. This team increases WaTech’s presence and engagement by employing a multidisciplinary approach to support greater project success and sustainable outcomes.

Agencies are encouraged to proactively engage with the CIO Portfolio Strategic Advisory Services team for guidance and support early in the project or program lifecycle—well before challenges escalate to high-risk status. This proactive collaboration helps identify potential issues, mitigate risks, and implement best practices from the start, setting the stage for successful project outcomes.

High-Risk Portfolio

There are currently four strategic and highly visible projects that are a part of WaTech’s expanded engagement services. Additional projects and programs may be promoted to the enterprise program engagement services model at the request of the state CIO.

1. One Washington (OneWa) Program     
2. Health & Human Services (HHS) Coalition 
   • Integrated Eligibility & Enrollment (IE&E) Program
   • Health Care Management & Coordination System (HCMACS) Program
3. L&I Workers’ Compensation System Modernization (WCSM) Project
4. ESD, DSHS and HCA WaCares Program
5. DOH and HCA 988 Program
6. DOH Healthcare Enforcement & Licensing Management System (HELMS) Project 

Progress to date

• Established the CIO Portfolio and Strategic Advisory Services to ensure the success of mission-critical, enterprise projects and programs.
• Strategic Advisory Services led the development and approval of the Enterprise Electronic Health Record Plan.
• As Program Sponsor, State CIO Bill Kehoe and Chief of Staff Amy Pearson, lead and direct leadership on the day-to-day management of the Health & Human Services Integrated Eligibility & Enrollment (IE&E) Program.