Rationale and description. The Executive Enterprise Governance Body (EEGB) fills one of the gaps in the current governance structure by providing a robust mechanism for ensuring alignment of IT investments with state plans and priorities. This body provides the forum for examining alignment of the proposed IT investment portfolio managed by the CIO/OFT with the state’s plans and priorities.

Scope. Responsibility for ensuring alignment of IT investment plans with state plans and priorities rests with the EEGB. The IT investment portfolio, as approved by the Information Technology Investment Board, is presented twice annually to the EEGB for review in relation to overall state strategic plans. This biannual review is also an opportunity for mid-course correction for IT investment projects should the overall state goals and strategies change mid-year. Once these review steps are completed, the investment requests and initiatives can move into the normal planning and procurement processes.

The EEGB is also tasked with periodically reviewing the existing governance procedures and proposing changes if conditions deem it necessary. Similarly, their review and approval of the state IT strategic plan should be directly linked to the overall state strategic plan and the Governor’s goals and priorities.

Authority. The EEGB has approval authority over the plans and policies presented by CIO/OFT and investment decisions presented by ITIB.

Membership. The EEGB is comprised of Deputy Secretaries or their equivalent, the Governor’s Director of Operations and one representative each from the state Senate and Assembly. The State CIO and the chair of the CIO Council Leadership Committee are ex officio, non-voting members of this body. (See Appendix C for more detail on the membership of this body.)

Related responsibilities. The Governor’s Director of Operations serves as chair of the EEGB to encourage engagement from the Executive Chamber. The State CIO may request additional meetings of the EEGB, subject to approval of the Chair.

Current practice. Several other states have established an oversight body of high level cabinet members. For example, California has an Enterprise Leadership Council with members from the governor’s cabinet, which also includes representatives from the State Treasury and Controller. As in the proposed EEGB, this body is charged with providing guidance and support for enterprise-wide projects. Likewise, the state of Minnesota established the Commissioners’ Technology Advisory Board comprised of cabinet level commissioners and chaired by the State CIO to provide review, consultation, and feedback to the State CIO on enterprise IT strategies and policies.

The Value Proposition for Recommendation # 1 Establish the Executive Enterprise Governance Board as described to ensure alignment of enterprise IT decision making with current state policies and strategic priorities.
Value Proposition	Description
Reduce redundancy and establish prioritization mechanisms	An executive governance board whose main focus is to ensure alignment of enterprise IT decision making will bring value to the state by providing an enterprise perspective. This board will assist the overall state government by providing oversight to minimize duplication of systems across agencies and duplication of effort in developing, maintaining, and sustaining new systems.
Establish standards	By recommending an approval authority for the EEGB to set a given standard, the model enhances a connection between general statewide priorities and IT strategy of the state. The approval by the deputy secretaries and the Director of State Operations lends the proposed policy or standard a greater degree of overt executive support, which in turn enhances cooperation by agency CIOs.
Align IT with business of the state	The primary purpose of the EEGB is ensuring close alignment between state strategic plans and goals and statewide IT policy. By drawing on members from the governor’s cabinet and the Director of State Operations, the EEGB is designed to promote open communication and collaboration between the IT side and the business side of the state.