IT Standards (Work in Progress)

The UC Davis IT Standards Repository

Contents

• Introduction
• Standards Repository
• #Compliance
• #Principles

Introduction

According to Wikipedia:

In this sense, information technology standards at UC Davis provide a context in support of the implementation and operation of IT-based systems. For example, there are a relatively small number of core "enterprise" systems in support of such functions as accounting and human resources.  These core systems provide interfaces to a larger number of "satellite" systems that are implemented and operated within colleges and departments.  Establishing standards for these interfaces not only reduces customization within the core systems; it also increases the re-usability of the interfaces within the satellite systems.

Standards Repository

The UC Davis IT Standards Repository contains standards that have been adopted formally via the 200-45: Development and Review of Administrative Computing Systems review process.  It also contains de facto standards that have not been subject to the formal process but are, nonetheless, in common use at UC Davis.  Each standard is reviewed on a regular cycle that is specified in the repository.

The standards repository is administered by the UC Davis's IT Architect, under the auspices of the Vice Provost, Information and Educational Technology.

Compliance

Most commonly, standards are advisory, providing guidance for the implementation and operation of systems, but there are cases where compliance with standards will be required for certain systems.  While multiple factors may affect compliance, the general principle is:

• Compliance with a standard will be required for a particular system if non-compliance would adversely affect another system or a broad subset of the UCD community. Compliance may also be required if non-compliance with the standard would put the University at risk of non-compliance with applicable policy or law, or if non-compliance would cause a significant increase in cost to the University. Core enterprise systems will often fall in the required category.
• Compliance with a standard will be recommended for a particular system if non-compliance would adversely affect that system or a narrow subset of the UCD community. Systems operated within a single college or department will often fall in this category.
• Compliance with a standard will be optional in other circumstances.

Exceptions to required compliance may be granted by the application sponsor, pursuant to policy 200-45: Development and Review of Administrative Computing Systems.

Principles

IT standards exist to provide guidance in support of the implementation and operation of IT-based systems. As such, they should:

• Encourage an experience for members of the UC Davis community that is accessible and usable without surprises.
• Encourage an IT ecosystem that is highly available, responsive, and scalable to meet current and future needs.
• Enable agility and improvement in academic and business processes without forcing undesirable change.
• Encourage interoperability of systems, as well as reuse and sharing of IT-based systems and components of such systems.
• Facilitate compliance with applicable policy and law.
• Encourage effective use of University resources.