October 5, 2022 – Updates launched in March 2022 have made project planning more “friendly” for state departments in planning their IT solutions.
PAL was reimagined with feedback and participation across state departments, the Legislative Analyst’s Office, and the State CIOs, AIOs or other project professionals. Updates focused on simplifying and streamlining the forms to align with the projects using agile project management methodology and a challenge-based procurement. Additionally, there are now fewer forms required. For example, removal of the preliminary assessments in Stages 2, 3, & 4. Stage 3 was reduced from having a Part A and B to just one form.
Highlights of the updates include:
- Renumbered multiple subsection
- SIMM Sections 19A S1BA:
- Dedicated section to Business Outcomes Desired
- Separated reportability assessment to be used as a tool for departments before, during, and upon approval of S1BA
- SIMM Sections 19B S2AA:
- Adapted Mid-Level Solution Requirements to fit both iterative and predictive methodologies
- Removed Preliminary Assessment
- Renamed and divided Staffing plan into two sections: Project Organization and Project Planning
- Added Statewide Procurement Assessment Form as an attachment with S2AA,
S3SA and S4PRA Forms
- SIMM Sections 19C S3SA:
- Removed Preliminary Assessment
- Combined Solution Development Template Part A and Part B
- Renamed Form to “Solution Analysis”
- Renamed section to Detailed Solution Requirements and Outcomes to allow for detailed requirements / user stories
- SIMM Sections 19D S4PRA:
- Removed Preliminary Assessment
- Added Business Objectives Valuation section to quantify the objectives from Stage 1 before moving to Project Execution
We encourage project planners to become familiar with the updated PAL and be sure to use the version posted on the CDT website.
Note: PAL updates 2022 did not include policy changes.
Questions?
List of Project Approvals and Oversight Contact | CDT (ca.gov) or email projectoversight@state.ca.gov