Principle 4 - Policies, standards, and models
Policies, standards, models and methodologies--based on the principles outlined
here-govern the acquisition and use of data and information technology. Regular
update and communication are required.
 Rationale
More effective communication and collaboration is possible; development, training
and support costs can be reduced; investments can be leveraged by sharing equipment,
facilities, and software components.
Implications
- With Penn's responsibility center approach to budgeting, schools and administrative
centers control most of their information technology investment decision--as
long as other organizations are not harmed and the University as a whole
flourishes. Policies, standards, and models are the framework for that University
perspective.
- Policies and standards that benefit the University as a whole may be suboptimal
for individual units.
- Structures for effective development, communication, use and enforcement
of policies, standards, models, and methodologies must be established and maintained.
- Incentives and education are preferred strategies for enlisting compliance.
- Policies and standards must be developed and communicated on a timely basis
before substantial investments are made.
- Policies, standards, models, and methodologies will evolve. Structures must
be in place for regular review and update.
- Penn needs to pick areas of standardization strategically and selectively.
- Migration strategies and structured change management processes must be
established to move from current to desired future environments.
- Application development methodologies and tools used consistently across
organizational units increased the pool of reusable software components and
allow for the sharing and exchange of resources.
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