Section 3.5-308 - [Effective 7/1/2024] Information technology project requests(a) This section does not apply to a public institution of higher education.(b) Before submitting its information technology project requests, a unit of State government shall submit information in support of the request required by the Secretary for review and determination consistent with § 3.5-301(j) of this subtitle.(c) In reviewing information technology project requests, the Secretary may change a unit's designation of a major information technology development project.(d) The Secretary shall review and, with the advice of the Secretary of Budget and Management, approve major information technology development projects and specifications for consistency with all statewide plans, policies, and standards, including a systems development life cycle plan.(e) The Secretary shall be responsible for overseeing the implementation of major information technology development projects , regardless of fund source. (f)(1) With the advice of the Secretary of Budget and Management, expenditures for major information technology development projects shall be subject to the approval of the Secretary who shall approve expenditures only when those projects are consistent with statewide plans, policies, and standards.(2) The Secretary shall make a recommendation to the Secretary of Budget and Management that project funds, regardless of fund source, be withheld if:(i) a unit of State government is not consistently reporting on the status of a project or projects to the Department in the form and manner required by the Department; or(ii) the Department determines that project implementation issues exist, including project timeline delays, significant cost increases, vendor nonperformance, decreased agency capacity, or other issues that indicate issues of concern that could jeopardize successful implementation. (g)(1) The Secretary shall approve funding for major information technology development projects, expedited projects, and other expenditures from the Fund only when : (i) the major information technology development projects or the expedited projects are in compliance with statewide plans, policies, and standards, as determined by the Secretary; and(ii) the major information technology development projects are supported by an approved systems development life cycle plan.(2) An approved systems development life cycle plan shall include submission of:(i) a project planning request that details initial planning for the project, including: 1. the project title, appropriation code, and summary;2. a description of: A. the business and technology outcomes to be achieved by the project;B. the features available to the end user on completion, including user acceptance testing and accessibility plans;C. the potential risks associated with the project;D. possible alternatives; andE. the scope and complexity of the project; and 3. an estimate of: A. the total costs required to complete through planning; andB. the fund sources available to support planning costs; and(ii) a project implementation request to begin full design, development, and implementation of the project after the completion of planning, including:1. the project title, appropriation code, and summary;2. a description of: A. the business and technology outcomes to be achieved by the project and the metrics by which the success of those outcomes will be measured;B. the features available to the end user on completion, including user acceptance testing and accessibility plans;C. the potential risks associated with the project;D. possible alternatives;E. the scope and complexity of the project; andF. how the project meets the goals of the statewide master plan; and 3. an estimate of: A. the total project cost, by phase; andB. the fund sources to be utilized.(3) The Secretary may approve funding incrementally, consistent with the systems development life cycle plan.(h) The Department, in consultation with the Modernize Maryland Commission established under § 3.5-316 of this subtitle, shall:(1) develop standards for units of State government to assist in identifying legacy systems that require modernization projects appropriate to be financed as an expedited project through the Fund;(2) adopt an Information Technology Investment Maturity Model that includes:(i) criteria to inform and prioritize investment decisions;(ii) processes to develop the information required to evaluate investment proposals against the criteria under item (i) of this item; and(iii) management processes to monitor the implementation of approved modernization projects; and(3) develop a State Modernization Plan.Amended by 2024 Md. Laws, Ch. 497,Sec. 1, eff. 7/1/2024.Title 3.5 of ( § 3.5-101 through § 3.5-702) was renumbered from Title 3A - § 3A-101 through § 3A-702 by 2022 Md. Laws, Ch. 241, Sec. 1, eff. 5/12/2022.This section is set out more than once due to postponed, multiple, or conflicting amendments.