Building Better IT Business Cases

Interactive Step-by-Step Construction of IT Business Cases and Budget Justifications

The Office of Management and Budget has recently changed their Exhibit 300 requirements. Agencies are being asked to demonstrate and measure how their IT spending will support the achievement of agency missions through the use of mission-aligned performance measures and the Federal Enterprise Architecture. In order to comply with OMB and achieve full funding for your projects, it is vital for your agency to stay on top of the latest changes and be aware of best practices for building better IT business cases.

Key Methodologies Covered

The Performance Reference Model (PRM) is a framework for IT performance measurement that provides common application measures for IT projects throughout the federal government. It allows agencies to better manage the business of government at a strategic level while providing a means for gauging progress.

The Business Reference Model (BRM) provides an organized, hierarchical construct for describing the day-to-day business operations of the Federal government. While many models exist for describing organizations - org charts, location maps, etc. - this model presents the business using a functional approach.

OMB expects budget justifications to align with BOTH of these models. Achieve the required alignment with our proven strategies.

Conference Registration and Continental Breakfast

Update on OMB Directives and Development
• President’s Management Agenda
• Citizen-centered e-Government
• Emerging guidance
• Issues and concerns (participant feedback to OMB)

Break & Refreshments

Performance Measures
• Discover the importance and value of performance measures relative to IT initiatives
• Utilize performance measures to assess government IT
• Develop performance measures to align IT goals with your agency’s strategic mission using the Performance Reference Model

11:30

“Top Ten” Ways to Significantly Improve the Quality of Your Exhibit 300 Submission (Part 1)
• Identify and use ALL relevant guidance and instructions
• Develop quality responses to the tough questions
• Respond to subject areas that cross multiple sections, e.g. security
• Use available and reusable documentation to complete the exhibit
• Discover gaps between the evaluation criteria and the exhibit and develop a quality response to close theme

12:30

Networking Luncheon

1:15

“Top Ten” Ways to Significantly Improve the Quality of Your Exhibit 300 Submission (Part 2)
• Learn how to apply project management techniques to complete the exhibit
• Integrate the Exhibit 300 process into your agency’s life cycle management processes
• Identify key sections where corporate standards can be best applied
• Establish roles for the IPT in the Exhibit 300 process
• Define necessary modifications in business cases for DME and steadystate projects

2:30

Break & Refreshments

2:45

Content Session 1: Alternatives Analysis and Financial Calculations
• Financial calculations
• New initiatives
• Steady-state investments

4:00

Informal Question and answer session
Bring in your agency’s IT business case for an informal review during this question and answer session.

Continental Breakfast

Content Session 2: Investment Description and Justification

Content Session 3: President’s Management Agenda

10:45

Break & Refreshments

11:00

Content Session 4: Project Management
• Demonstrating the initial capability
• Measuring progress
• Showing value after implementation

12:00

Networking Luncheon

1:15

Content Session 5: Risk Inventory
• Creating the initial inventory
• Linking performance measures and risk

2:15

Content Session 6: Acquisition Strategy

3:00

Break & Refreshments

3:15

Content Session 7: Part II
• Enterprise architecture
• Records management
• Security
• Privacy
• GPEA

3:30

Track A: Office Technology Management
Utilize the Power of the Internet: Websites Every
Administrative Assistant Should Know
•Keep up with the ever-changing world of the Internet and how it effects your government job
•Understand the importance of web searches and how to identify important sites
•Learn how to use the Internet and office technology to free up your day and make you more productive
Robert Tettelbach, Vice President, The Performance Institute

Formal Adjournment / Informal Question and Answer Session
Bring in your agency’s IT business case for an informal review during this question and answer session.