The IT Project Approval Board (IT PAB) is responsible for The University of Queensland’s portfolio of virtual projects and programs.

The IT PAB reviews initiatives proposed for inclusion within the Technology Master Plan (TMP) Annual Plan and provides guidance on how these initiatives fit within the broader UQ technology landscape. They also review projects that have progressed to the Business Case stage, along with variations and closure reports. 

IT PAB ensures that the initiatives that are assessed:

  • consider an enterprise architecture perspective
  • align with the Technology Principles found in the Technology Master Plan
  • have the necessary resources, support, and appropriate risk mitigation for successful implementation. 

Meetings are held each fortnight.

Objectives

The IT PAB has authority to:

  • Approve or decline all UQ virtual project and program proposals, inclusive of IT components within non-IT projects. 
  • Determine suitability of proposals in the context of the UQ virtual landscape and architecture.
  • Direct proposals for further SME review. 
  • Authorise and prioritise ITS resource allocation and scheduling for projects and programs. 
  • Determine required oversight and governance of virtual projects and programs across UQ. 
  • Consider, approve, and prioritise virtual projects and programs for inclusion in any virtual submission to the Capital Management Group (CMG); subsequently authorise allocation of approved CMG funds to virtual projects and programs within IT capital portfolios; authorise changes to budget allocations for virtual capital projects and programs within IT capital portfolios. 
  • Authorise changes to schedule for all virtual projects and programs where changes impact ITS resource allocation, virtual capital budget allocations, or other project performance indicators.
  • Formally close virtual projects and programs.
  • Review submissions endorsed by other UQ committees (including Goal Governance) and/or refer submissions to other UQ committees or functional area executives to ensure appropriate endorsement.

Review criteria

Members will review each project and program proposal against some or all of the following criteria:

  • Mandatory: confirmation that the initiative has been supported or endorsed through the Technology Master Plan Goal Governance (items cannot progress to IT PAB without this). 
  • Mandatory: submissions are complete, endorsed and are populated in the correct templates.
    Submissions comply with relevant UQ and IT policies and procedures, including approved IT standards and frameworks.  
  • The proposed solution does not introduce overlap in functionality with existing solutions.
  • The estimated cost is realistic, and the budget source is identified.
  • The cost is commensurate with the expected benefits.
  • Key stakeholders have been identified and engaged; change impact is understood and managed.
  • Required roles are appropriately allocated such as a qualified project manager and technical lead. 
  • Necessary resources have been appropriately identified.
  • Project effort and duration has been realistically scoped.
  • Dependencies on other projects have been identified and planned.
  • Impact on ITS resources and established initiatives and projects/programs is manageable.
  • Appropriate planning for benefit and risk identification and management is evident.
  • Appropriate governance is planned or in place.

Membership

  • Chief Information Officer (Chair) 
  • Director, Infrastructure Operations, ITS (Goal B Lead)
  • Associate Director, Customer Support Services, ITS
  • Director, IT Governance & Investment ITS (Goal F Lead)
  • Director, Enterprise Technologies ITS (Goal C, D Lead)
  • Director, Higher Education Technologies (Goal A Lead)
  • Director, Cyber Security, ITS (Goal E Lead)
  • Senior Manager, IT Portfolio Management Office (Secretary) (non-voting)
  • Associate Director, IT Planning & Architecture (non-voting)

Meeting processes

  • IT PAB meets fortnightly; members and guests attend in person or remotely.
  • Quorum is 60% of filled voting positions. 
  • Out of session IT PAB meetings are not preferred, but will be coordinated by the IT PMO.
  • Meetings can be cancelled at the discretion of the CIO, delegate chair or IT PAB secretary. 
  • Submissions may be approved, not approved, or asked to return with further information.  
  • IT PAB records are stored via Teams and access is managed by the IT PAB Secretary.
  • The IT PAB terms of reference will be renewed annually. The terms are subject to consultation with ITS senior managers and the Information Technology Policy, Risk and Assurance Committee (IT PRAC).
  • All submissions on the IT PAB Agenda, including closure reports and variations, can only be included through an IT PAB member's endorsement (i.e. SMG member responsible for that TMP GOAL). 

Contact IT PAB Admin for more information and to enquire about attending. 

IT PAB - important dates

IT PAB meeting datesSubmission documents due date *
Thursday 03 October 2024COB Monday 30 September 2024
Thursday 17 October 2024COB Monday 14 October 2024
Thursday 31 October 2024COB Monday 28 October 2024
Thursday 14 November 2024COB Monday 11 November 2024
Thursday 28 November 2024COB Monday 25 November 2024
Thursday 14 December 2024COB Monday 09 December 2024

* All submissions on the IT PAB Agenda, including closure reports and variations, can only be included through an IT PAB member's endorsement (i.e. SMG member responsible for the relevant project portfolio. The SMG member then uploads the document to the IT PAB site).