Principle 4

Manage Technical Diversity And Duplication

Statement

Technological diversity is managed efficiently in order to minimize the additional effort and cost associated with maintaining disparate enterprise systems.

Rationale

• There is a real, non-trivial cost of technology required to support duplicate or alternative solutions.
• The advantages of managing technical diversity includes:
  • standard packaging of components
  • predictable implementation impact, valuations, and returns
• Common technology across the University brings the benefits of economies of scale.
• Administration and support costs are better controlled when limited resources can focus on a shared set of technologies.
• Common systems provide a greater opportunity for information collaboration, process efficiency, data integrity and consistency.

Implications

• Policies, standards, and procedures that govern acquisition of technology will be tied directly to this principle.
• Technology decisions will be guided by the choices available within the technology road map.
• This principle does not stop the acquisition of new technology. New technology advances and an evolving technology road map will be incorporated when compatibility with the current infrastructure, improvement in operational efficiency, or a required capability has been demonstrated.