Chapter 4 – Information Technology

42010.6 Determining Priorities on ITS Requests

• One of the criteria for project selection is the priority of the ITS request. To assist in decision-making, the following schema shall be utilized when assigning a priority to a particular request for information system resources: If multiple requests exist with the same priority, each division submitting requests shall determine the order of further prioritization. For example, if there are four priority 3.1 requests then these four requests should be renumbered as 3.1.1, 3.1.2, 3.1.3, and 3.1.4 in order of further priority.

• The following is a description of several different levels of priorities. These priorities can be thought of as an initial rationale for assignment of ITS design, development, and maintenance resources. Each prospective project shall be assigned one of the following priorities prior to its presentation before the MISManagement Information Systems Committee:

• Priority 1

  • This priority level is exclusive to the maintenance of computer programs that have been designed, implemented, and installed. Resources used in this area are for the purpose of keeping existing computer-based systems functional. This priority includes routine maintenance. Any changes to production systems requiring more than 32 person-hours shall not be considered as maintenance, but as a new request which must be justified.

• Priority 2

  • Those resource requirements over which the Department has little control. Responses to legislative action, requests from the Governor or the agency, and requests from local law enforcement for critical information are all examples of projects that are Priority 2.

• Priority 3

  • An ITS request shall be Priority 3 if the implementation of the proposed computer-based system will result in a measurable benefit to the Department. Most requests for information system resources fall within this area.