Phase 1: Secure funding

Reviewing Projects at Conceptual Stage - Decision Package (DP) Review

The first phase of Project Portfolio Management is submitting the budget request, also known as the Decision Package (DP). This phase is initiated when an agency identifies a business problem that can be resolved with a technology solution.

During this phase, WaTech is available to meet with your agency for a DP Review, to help better align your IT investments with the state's technology priorities, which are the scoring /ranking criteria used in the next phase, project funding prioritization. The DP review also helps WaTech learn more about your DPs prioritizing.

Other benefits of the DP review include:

  • WaTech can influence the agency's proposed technical choices and, if appropriate, suggest options for better alignment with the enterprise technology strategy.
  • The identification of possible cross-agency efficiencies. If multiple agencies are considering the adoption of the same types of technology (e.g., case management systems, records management systems), identification during this phase gives agencies the opportunity to consider collaboration.

The DP review allows agencies to gain a better understanding of how the project will be viewed in light of the state's overall IT portfolio. This is important since the future funding for the project may depend, at least in part, on WaTech's evaluation and ranking against other IT priorities. The agency will receive input from WaTech on how the project might benefit from similar work occurring in other agencies.

To initiate a DP review, the agency contacts the Oversight Consultants to schedule a meeting. WaTech and the agency review the draft Decision Package together to determine whether the anticipated technology and project management approaches are consistent with the state IT strategy. WaTech provides feedback and guidance.

View Phase 2 of the Project Lifecycle: Project funding.