(1) The department, with the approval of the board, shall establish standards and policies governing the planning, implementation, and evaluation of major information technology projects, including those proposed by the superintendent of public instruction, in conjunction with educational service districts, or statewide or regional providers of K-12 education information technology services. The standards and policies shall:

     (a) Establish criteria to identify projects which are subject to this section. Such criteria shall include, but not be limited to, significant anticipated cost, complexity, or statewide significance of the project; and

     (b) Establish a model process and procedures which agencies shall follow in developing and implementing projects within their information technology portfolios. Agencies may propose, for approval by the department, a process and procedures unique to the agency. The department may accept or require modification of such agency proposals or the department may reject such agency proposals and require use of the model process and procedures established under this subsection. Any process and procedures developed under this subsection shall require (i) distinct and identifiable phases upon which funding may be based, (ii) user validation of products through system demonstrations and testing of prototypes and deliverables, and (iii) other elements identified by the board.

     The director may terminate a major project if the director determines that the project is not meeting or is not expected to meet anticipated performance standards.

     (2) The office of financial management shall establish policies and standards consistent with portfolio-based information technology management to govern the funding of projects developed under this section. The policies and standards shall provide for:

     (a) Funding of a project under terms and conditions mutually agreed to by the director, the director of financial management, and the head of the agency proposing the project. However, the office of financial management may require incremental funding of a project on a phase-by-phase basis whereby funds for a given phase of a project may be released only when the office of financial management determines, with the advice of the department, that the previous phase is satisfactorily completed;

     (b) Acceptance testing of products to assure that products perform satisfactorily before they are accepted and final payment is made; and

     (c) Other elements deemed necessary by the office of financial management.

     (3) The department shall evaluate projects based on the demonstrated business needs and benefits; cost; technology scope and feasibility; impact on the agency's information technology portfolio and on the statewide infrastructure; and final project implementation plan based upon available funding.

     Copies of project evaluations conducted under this subsection shall be submitted to the office of financial management and the chairs, ranking minority members, and staff coordinators of the appropriations committees of the senate and house of representatives.

     If there are projects that receive funding from a transportation fund or account, copies of those projects' evaluations conducted under this subsection must be submitted to the chairs and ranking minority members of the transportation committees of the senate and the house of representatives.

[2005 c 319 § 111; 1999 c 80 § 12; 1998 c 177 § 4; 1996 c 137 § 15; 1992 c 20 § 4.]

NOTES:

     Findings--Intent--Part headings--Effective dates -- 2005 c 319: See notes following RCW 43.17.020.

     Effective date -- Application -- 1996 c 137: See notes following RCW 43.105.830.

     Severability -- Captions not law -- 1992 c 20: See notes following RCW 43.105.160.