Implementation Roadmaps - Theme Specific Roadmaps

The roadmap below organizes our IT strategic priorities according to strategic theme, as described in the IT Strategic Plan. Within each theme, priorities are categorized according to the implementation framework (link) and projected timeline for implementation. As the strategic plan is designed to be adjusted to ensure continued alignment with university priorities, this roadmap is subject to change.

Next 12 Months - Global Impact

Bolded items are contingent on available funding for new one-time and recurring costs.

Implementation Framework	Initiatives
Foundational	Confirm the current scope of core service offerings and designate service owners and service teams responsible for their delivery and continual improvement. Adopt a common method and tool for creating, organizing and storing technical documentation. Develop plans (timeline, structure, tool, terminology) for a single integrated catalog of IT solutions and services. Update and align the information security strategy with the IT strategy. Develop a roadmap and funding model to support evolving research data security requirements in support of CMMC and NSPM-33. Review existing technical standards and guidelines for effectiveness and alignment with future strategic directions. Implement the proposed changes to improve IT governance (including new structures and processes for AI).
Optimize	Implement user endpoint backup capability as a core service. Assess future data center and networking requirements to support research. Update the inventory of major data repositories to identify what data types and classifications are stored within each, how the data is secured, and who are the accountable stewards overseeing the data. Expand security related network monitoring capabilities especially in areas of the data network used to transfer data classified as high risk.

Years 2 and 3 - Global Impact

Bolded items are contingent on available funding for new one-time and recurring costs.

Implementation Framework	Initiatives
Foundational	Define career paths and career plans and update position descriptions for all IT professionals in conjunction with HR. Develop shared professional development opportunities for all IT professionals. Continue to add services and search capabilities to the integrated service catalog. Better integrate existing service access points with one another.
Optimize	Adopt a shared IT Service Management (ITSM) approach, tool and processes. Improve research data lifecycle management capabilities: Better communicate to researchers and their IT support teams the range of available storage options and their optimal use cases. Provide easier paths to adopting storage solutions (links to service catalog improvements. Develop an integrated service offering that brings together expertise from Office of Research, Library, Division of IT distributed research IT teams to support faculty to identify and implement solutions to meet their research data management needs. Expand capabilities to provide controlled access repositories for research data. Develop specialized processes and roles to field, triage, and coordinate follow-through on research and teaching related data and technology support needs. Implement additional core services (endpoint management, imaging, and data loss prevention). Continue implementing network architecture changes to create additional secure data enclaves that meet CMMC requirements. Leverage AI capabilities to make it easier to search, request and obtain IT solutions.
Modernize	Improve identity and access management technologies and processes. Continue transition to a cloud-based data lake/data warehouse and expand integrations with source systems. Confirm a long-term solution for research administration and compliance systems and determine timing of addressing emergent needs for improved conflict of interest capabilities. Continue to expand research computing clusters and related data center infrastructure requirements.

Years 4 and 5 - Global Impact

Bolded items are contingent on available funding for new one-time and recurring costs.

Implementation Framework	Initiatives
Foundational	Integrate regular methods of assessment to evaluate the performance of core services.
Optimize	Establish greater consistency in the IT workforce (structure, roles, required competencies) across all divisions. Expand consultative capabilities and expertise to provide general research consultations, data privacy and security and research application development. Expand support for teaching and learning innovations (E.g., additional sandbox environments, internal grants to support acquisition of technology and additional support).
Modernize	Continue implementing components of new research administration solutions. Identify and plan replacement of additional enterprise applications as necessary (advancement, CRM, academic applications for teaching and learning). Continue integrating additional data sources into the data warehouse/data lake and structure additional data marts to meet reporting needs.

Next 12 Months - Modernize Administrative Applications and Data Platforms

Bolded items are contingent on available funding for new one-time and recurring costs.

Implementation Framework	Initiatives
Foundational	Confirm the current scope of core service offerings and designate service owners and service teams responsible for their delivery and continual improvement. Develop an enterprise application inventory and begin to assess opportunities to optimize the portfolio. Partner with data stewards to assess the current maturity of data governance and identify necessary improvements to enabling processes and tools and confirm structures required to support ERP modernization are in place. Complete hiring for key leadership positions including AVP ESET, Exec Dir IT User Experience and Engagement, Director PMO and AI Architect. Review existing technical standards and guidelines for effectiveness and alignment with future strategic directions. Implement the proposed changes to improve IT governance (including new structures and processes for AI).
Optimize	Define the timelines and preferred order of implementation to update or replace the finance, HR, research administration and advancement solutions. Continue to expand deployment of the enterprise integration platform. Update the inventory of major data repositories to identify what data types and classifications are stored within each, how the data is secured, and who are the accountable stewards overseeing the data.
Modernize	Complete the implementation of the new student information system. Develop a roadmap and funding plan for ERP modernization for HR/Finance.

Years 2 and 3 - Modernize Administrative Applications and Data Platforms

Bolded items are contingent on available funding for new one-time and recurring costs.

Implementation Framework	Initiatives
Foundational	Develop and communicate software development guidelines, architectural reviews and code reviews to support any software development effort for administrative and student support applications. Update the data strategy including role clarifications, data technology platforms (data warehouse/data lake, reporting), and improvements to data quality and access. Review role-based architecture at the university to support workflow redesign and data access. Begin systematic data clean-up process to prepare administrative data for conversion to new enterprise applications. Continue to add services and search capabilities to the integrated service catalog. Better integrate existing service access points with one another. Identify standard tools and develop associated support services to enable workflow automation. Assign product teams to facilitate the design, delivery and continual improvement of enterprise solutions.
Optimize	Adopt a shared IT Service Management (ITSM) approach, tool and processes. Complete the enterprise applications roadmaps and streamline the portfolio to focus on fewer, better supported solutions. Implement a tool or tools to enable the management of data definitions, stewardship, location and access. Leverage AI capabilities to make it easier to search, request and obtain IT solutions.
Modernize	Begin the implementation of the enterprise applications roadmap with a presumed focus on ERP solutions. Improve identity and access management technologies and processes. Confirm a long-term solution for research administration and compliance systems and determine timing of addressing emergent needs for improved conflict of interest capabilities. Continue transition to a cloud-based data warehouse/data lake and expand integrations with source systems.

Years 4 and 5 - Modernize Administrative Applications and Data Platforms

Bolded items are contingent on available funding for new one-time and recurring costs.

Implementation Framework	Initiatives
Foundational	Continue improving data governance capabilities including defining role-based access to administrative data. Integrate regular methods of assessment to evaluate the performance of core services.
Optimize	Complete application optimization and begin regular monitoring and life-cycle planning for enterprise solutions. Establish greater consistency in the IT workforce (structure, roles, required competencies) across all divisions. Implement the data strategy: create data manager roles, strengthen processes to maintain data quality, and transition legacy data marts to new platforms.
Modernize	Make significant progress towards completion of ERP modernization. Continue implementing components of new research administration solutions. Identify and plan replacement of additional enterprise applications as necessary (advancement, CRM, academic applications for teaching and learning). Continue integrating additional data sources into the data warehouse/data lake and structure additional data marts to meet reporting needs.

Next 12 Months - IT Customer Experience

Bolded items are contingent on available funding for new one-time and recurring costs.

Implementation Framework	Initiatives
Foundational	Fund adoption of common service management and communication tools for all IT professionals. Define shared values for Virginia Tech’s technology organizations. Confirm the current scope of core service offerings and designate service owners and service teams responsible for their delivery and continual improvement. Adopt a common method and tool for creating, organizing and storing technical documentation. Develop plans (timeline, structure, tool, terminology) for a single integrated catalog of IT solutions and services. Complete hiring for key leadership positions including AVP ESET, Exec Dir IT User Experience and Engagement, Director PMO and AI Architect. Review existing technical standards and guidelines for effectiveness and alignment with future strategic directions. Implement the proposed changes to improve IT governance (including new structures and processes for AI).
Optimize	Implement user endpoint backup capability as a core service. Identify and prioritize the development of future core services and communicate it via a services roadmap.
Modernize	Complete the stabilization work around the student information system. Develop a roadmap and funding plan for ERP modernization for HR/Finance.

Years 2 and 3 - IT Customer Experience

Bolded items are contingent on available funding for new one-time and recurring costs.

Implementation Framework	Initiatives
Foundational	Define career paths and career plans and update position descriptions for all IT professionals in conjunction with HR. Develop shared professional development opportunities for all IT professionals. Develop and communicate software development guidelines, architectural reviews and code reviews to support any software development effort for administrative and student support applications. Continue to add services and search capabilities to the integrated service catalog. Better integrate existing service access points with one another. Assign product teams to facilitate the design, delivery and continual improvement of enterprise solutions.
Optimize	Adopt a shared IT Service Management (ITSM) approach, tool and processes. Develop specialized processes and roles to field, triage, and coordinate follow-through on research and teaching related data and technology support needs. Implement additional core services (endpoint management, imaging, and data loss prevention). Leverage AI capabilities to make it easier to search, request and obtain IT solutions.
Modernize	Begin the implementation of the enterprise applications roadmap with a presumed focus on ERP solutions. Improve identity and access management technologies and processes. Confirm a long-term solution for research administration and compliance systems and determine timing of addressing emergent needs for improved conflict of interest capabilities. Continue transition to a cloud-based data warehouse/data lake and expand integrations with source systems. Continue to expand research computing clusters and related data center infrastructure requirements.

Years 4 and 5 - IT Customer Experience

Bolded items are contingent on available funding for new one-time and recurring costs.

Implementation Framework	Initiatives
Foundational	Integrate regular methods of assessment to evaluate the performance of core services.
Optimize	Complete application optimization and begin regular monitoring and life-cycle planning for enterprise solutions. Establish greater consistency in the IT workforce (structure, roles, required competencies) across all divisions. Implement the data strategy: create data manager roles, strengthen processes to maintain data quality, and transition legacy data marts to new platforms. Expand consultative capabilities and expertise to provide general research consultations, data privacy and security and research application development.
Modernize	Make significant progress towards completion of ERP modernization. Continue implementing components of new research administration solutions. Identify and plan replacement of additional enterprise applications as necessary (advancement, CRM, academic applications for teaching and learning).

Next 12 Months - Use Manage and Protect Data

Bolded items are contingent on available funding for new one-time and recurring costs.

Implementation Framework	Initiatives
Foundational	Develop an enterprise application inventory and begin to assess opportunities to optimize the portfolio. Partner with data stewards to assess the current maturity of data governance and identify necessary improvements to enabling processes and tools and confirm structures required to support ERP modernization are in place. Complete hiring for key leadership positions including AVP ESET, Exec Dir IT User Experience and Engagement, Director PMO and AI Architect. Update and align the information security strategy with the IT strategy. Develop a roadmap and funding model to support evolving research data security requirements in support of CMMC and NSPM-33. Review existing technical standards and guidelines for effectiveness and alignment with future strategic directions. Implement the proposed changes to improve IT governance (including new structures and processes for AI).
Optimize	Implement user endpoint backup capability as a core service. Continue to expand deployment of the enterprise integration platform. Update the inventory of major data repositories to identify what data types and classifications are stored within each, how the data is secured, and who are the accountable stewards overseeing the data. Expand security related network monitoring capabilities especially in areas of the data network used to transfer data classified as high risk.
Modernize	Complete the implementation of the new student information system. Develop a roadmap and funding plan for ERP modernization for HR/Finance.

Years 2 and 3 - Use, Manage and Protect Data

Bolded items are contingent on available funding for new one-time and recurring costs.

Implementation Framework	Initiatives
Foundational	Develop and communicate software development guidelines, architectural reviews and code reviews to support any software development effort for administrative and student support applications. Update the data strategy including role clarifications, data technology platforms (data warehouse/data lake, reporting), and improvements to data quality and access. Review role-based architecture at the university to support workflow redesign and data access. Begin systematic data clean-up process to prepare administrative data for conversion to new enterprise applications.
Optimize	Adopt a shared IT Service Management (ITSM) approach, tool and processes. Complete the enterprise applications roadmaps and streamline the portfolio to focus on fewer, better supported solutions. Improve research data lifecycle management capabilities: Better communicate to researchers and their IT support teams the range of available storage options and their optimal use cases. Provide easier paths to adopting storage solutions (links to service catalog improvements. Develop an integrated service offering that brings together expertise from Office of Research, Library, Division of IT distributed research IT teams to support faculty to identify and implement solutions to meet their research data management needs. Expand capabilities to provide controlled access repositories for research data. Implement additional core services (endpoint management, imaging, and data loss prevention). Implement a tool or tools to enable the management of data definitions, stewardship, location and access. Continue implementing network architecture changes to create additional secure data enclaves that meet CMMC requirements.
Modernize	Begin the implementation of the enterprise applications roadmap with a presumed focus on ERP solutions. Improve identity and access management technologies and processes. Confirm a long-term solution for research administration and compliance systems and determine timing of addressing emergent needs for improved conflict of interest capabilities. Continue transition to a cloud-based data warehouse/data lake and expand integrations with source systems.

Years 4 and 5 - Use Manage and Protect Data

Bolded items are contingent on available funding for new one-time and recurring costs.

Implementation Framework	Initiatives
Foundational	Continue improving data governance capabilities including defining role-based access to administrative data.
Optimize	Complete application optimization and begin regular monitoring and life-cycle planning for enterprise solutions. Establish greater consistency in the IT workforce (structure, roles, required competencies) across all divisions. Implement the data strategy: create data manager roles, strengthen processes to maintain data quality, and transition legacy data marts to new platforms.
Modernize	Make significant progress towards completion of ERP modernization. Continue implementing components of new research administration solutions. Continue integrating additional data sources into the data warehouse/data lake and structure additional data marts to meet reporting needs.

Next 12 Months - Strengthen Technology and Data Governance

Bolded items are contingent on available funding for new one-time and recurring costs.

Implementation Framework	Initiatives
Foundational	Fund adoption of common service management and communication tools for all IT professionals. Define shared values for all Virginia Tech’s IT professionals. Confirm the current scope of core service offerings and designate service owners and service teams responsible for their delivery and continual improvement. Develop plans (timeline, structure, tool, terminology) for a single integrated catalog of IT solutions and services. Develop an enterprise application inventory and begin to assess opportunities to optimize the portfolio. Partner with data stewards to assess the current maturity of data governance and identify necessary improvements to enabling processes and tools and confirm structures required to support ERP modernization are in place. Review existing technical standards and guidelines for effectiveness and alignment with future strategic directions. Complete policy review to include adjacent policies that forward governance. Implement the proposed changes to improve IT governance (including new structures and processes for AI).
Optimize	Update the inventory of major data repositories to identify what data types and classifications are stored within each, how the data is secured, and who are the accountable stewards overseeing the data. Develop an optimization strategy for cost-efficient centralized research computing resources Assess and recommend revisions to the internal IT funding model to facilitate adoption of core services and ensure availability of funding to sustain infrastructure and services.

Years 2 and 3 - Strengthen Technology and Data Governance

Bolded items are contingent on available funding for new one-time and recurring costs.

Implementation Framework	Initiatives
Foundational	Develop and communicate software development guidelines, architectural reviews and code reviews to support any software development effort for administrative and student support applications. Update the data strategy including role clarifications, data technology platforms (data warehouse/data lake, reporting), and improvements to data quality and access. Review role-based architecture at the university to support workflow redesign and data access. Better integrate existing service access points with one another. Assign product teams to facilitate the design, delivery and continual improvement of enterprise solutions.
Optimize	Adopt a shared IT Service Management (ITSM) approach, tool and processes. Implement a tool or tools to enable the management of data definitions, stewardship, location and access.

Years 4 and 5 and beyond

Bolded items are contingent on available funding for new one-time and recurring costs.

Implementation Framework	Initiatives
Foundational	Continue improving data governance capabilities including defining role-based access to administrative data. Integrate regular methods of assessment to evaluate the performance of core services.
Optimize	Complete application optimization and begin regular monitoring and life-cycle planning for enterprise solutions. Establish greater consistency in the IT workforce (structure, roles, required competencies) across all divisions. Implement the data strategy: create data manager roles, strengthen processes to maintain data quality, and transition legacy data marts to new platforms.