The Pre-Initiation process is used when a DIT project has been identified in a Call for Projects or has been requested by DIT or a client.  At this time, the CRM Team or Internal DIT Team, led by the Project Manager, gathers information on this proposed project.  If this request requires less than 80 hours of resources, then the existing work order process is followed.  Likewise, if this project has been identified as a Level 1 project (i.e. agency-specific and/or less than $1 million IT budget), then the existing Level 1 project process is followed.  However, if this project has been identified as a Level 2 or Level 3 project, then the project concept needs to be presented to the Project Board for a Gate 1 review.

The DIT Project Manager submits the Project Concept document (from the State of Michigan Project Management Methodology) to the Project Board (DIT-ProjectManagement@michigan.gov).  The Project Administrator will notify the DIT Project Manager of the day and time to present the project concept to the Project Board.  The Project Board meets each Thursday morning from 9:00 am to 11:00 am.  Allow approximately 25 minutes for the Gate 1 Review with the Project Board.

During this Gate 1 review, the Project Board, after reviewing the Project Concept document, will ask the DIT Project Manager a series of questions that will be known at this point in the concept of the project.  These questions will revolve around:

• Direction and Support
• Alignment (Governor's Issue Areas:  Education, Economy, Environment, Better Government, Healthcare, and Hometown Security)
• Benefits
• Collaboration and Leveraging
• Security
• Funding
• Technology and Standards
• Project Management

For Level 3 projects, the Leadership Team will also review the project concept information.  Based on the results of the review, the Project Board will complete a weekly dashboard report showing a summary of the reviewed projects and their decisions (i.e. red for "not approved", yellow for "additional information required", and green for "approved").  An email from the Project Board Chair will also be sent to the DIT Project Manager notifying him/her of the decision.

For projects that have been identified as "red" by the Project Board, an escalation process to the Leadership Team is available. 

Allow one to two weeks to complete the Pre-Initiation process.  For additional details, please refer to the Pre-Initiation Process and Procedures. 

Pre-Initiation Process for Gate 1 reviews

Pre-Initiation Procedures for Gate 1 reviews

Note:  Multi-agency projects or other projects that fall within the Level 2 and Level 3 project definition that are being classified as Proof-of-Concept (i.e. less than three months in duration, etc.) do not require review by the Project Board.  However, if these Proof-of-Concept projects are shown successful, then by definition, the next phase of the project will require Project Board review.