Overview
Information Technology Services (ITS) works on small and large information technology (IT) projects for campus organizations and individuals.
What is a project?
A project is a temporary, organized effort to complete a set of work to deliver a new product or service. Projects must have a defined start and end date. This is in contrast to operations, which are ongoing, repetitive, day-to-day work which yields the same outcomes, product or service. Operations have no start and end date.
Here's a useful analogy: building a new home is a project. In contrast, keeping a newly built home clean is operations. To learn more, watch this LinkedIn Learning video about projects & operations (myCI login is required).
Why do we care about project management?
We care about the practice of project management because it helps us to stay organized and ensure the University is able to deliver high-quality new products and services on-time and on-budget.
We care about project management tools and techniques because they help us communicate more effectively, manage risk, adapt to change, and make better strategic decisions.
Finally, we care about project management as a professional discipline because it supports the continuous improvement of the University through effective strategic planning, increased accountability, improved communication and professional ethics. It also provides a personal and professional development pathway for its practitioners through the development of core competencies across more than 10 knowledge areas.
I want to start a new project. Where do I begin?
Before you begin, we recommend that you review the ITS Business Practice on IT Project & Procurement Governance. The practice describes two fundamental processes for how projects begin: one for minor IT projects, and one for major IT projects.
You may contact the ITS Project Management team if there are any questions or if further guidance is needed.
Need More Information?
Getting Started In Project Management
LinkedIn Learning has some excellent video-based training that covers the basics of project management and beyond. The videos are available free of charge to CI employees and students (myCI login is required).
Here is a select list of useful courses to get started:
- Managing Small Projects (with Bonnie Biafore)
- Project Management Fundamentals (with Bonnie Biafore)
- Solving Common Project Problems (with Chris Croft)
Additional project management videos (and books) are also available free of charge for CI employees through CSU Learn.
IT Project & Procurement Business Practices
These practices outline the steps that are followed in ITS project management processes.
- Business Practice on IT Project & Procurement Governance
- Business Practice on Minor Project Intake
- Business Practice on Project Close
Project Management Tools
Project Planning tools
- Project Scope Statement Template (MS Word format)
- Project Communication Plan Template (MS Word format)
Project Execution & Monitoring tools
Project Closure tools
TeamDynamix Training
Please visit CSUCI's TeamDynamix support site for more information about how ITS uses TeamDynamix in support of IT project and portfolio management.
To view Microsoft Word documents, please download and install Microsoft Office.