Last week, the California Department of Technology (CalTech) celebrated the release of the new IT Project Approval Lifecycle (PAL). A result of the State Technology Approval Reform (STAR) initiative, the PAL replaces the current feasibility study report (FSR) and procurement processes with a new iterative “Stage Gate” model:
- Stage 1 Business Analysis (S1BA) – released
- Stage 2 Alternatives Analysis (S2AA) – released
- Stage 3 Solution Development – in process
- Stage 4 Project Readiness and Approval – in process
Of particular interest, State CIO Carlos Ramos emphasized that PAL also incorporates business process analysis and organizational readiness, areas that were lacking in the old FSR process.
Since our inception, Highlands Consulting has developed many approved FSRs for the State of California, and is currently helping several state departments adopt the new PAL process. This, coupled with our long-established Business Process Reengineering (BPR) and Organizational Change Management (OCM) experience, will support continued success of our state clients as they plan, procure, and implement new technologies to meet their program needs.
We are excited to be one of the first firms to incorporate PAL, and we eagerly anticipate the release of Stages 3 and 4!