PSTaRT Update
IT documentation in electronic form by Sept 2009
By David Cost

In order to be consistent in providing quality service, as well as to continually improve on processes and procedures, a well run organization creates and maintains documentation of its processes, procedures, and guidelines. GCC, in recognition of that fact, has incorporated the requirement of publicizing processes, procedures, and guidelines within its strategic plan. Last year, President Green directed her President’s Strategic Technology Review Team (PSTaRT) to forward recommendations on process standards, which requires the committee to have access to existing documents. As a result, last January, PSTaRT requested that all documented IT processes, procedures, and guidelines be published in electronic form by Sept 2009.

Once the process is complete, OIT, in conjunction with PSTaRT, will be able to establish standards for performance. With these measures in place, incentives can be set for identifying measureable improvements to processes and procedures with clearly identified cost savings. PSTaRT, as well as the campus at large, will be able to understand more clearly the impact on OIT personnel when implementing various technologies and projects. This will also help campus staffing to determine whether or not OIT requires additional personnel to support the growing demands of the campus. A clear understanding of what is expected of them and the knowledge that those expectations are fair will enable OIT personnel to be much less stressed. They will no longer feel overwhelmed by the need to juggle too many tasks. This, in turn, will result in improved morale, lower turnover, and, ultimately, improved quality and speed in supporting campus information technology needs.

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