Planning & Project Management Office

The OTS Planning and Project Management Office (PPMO) facilitates, guides and manages technology initiatives and projects that are aligned with Towson University’s strategic direction and goals. Collaborative planning across TU allows the university to:

  • support academic and student-centered approaches.
  • connect IT planning and governance to what is important to the university.
  • reduce fragmentation across the organization and improve coordinated planning.
  • move toward simplification to reduce costs and improve agility.
  • align IT efforts with business and strategic goals.

The OTS Planning & Project Management Office team consists of project managers, liaisons, analysts and change management experts who work together to manage and deliver university-approved IT projects.

To help you get started, we offer three services: tech consults, software purchases/contract renewals and IT projects. Use the descriptions to determine which is best suited to your needs. If you're not sure,

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Technology Consults

A technology (tech) consult is a collaborative session designed to analyze your current technology systems and business processes, or to explore potential new solutions. Think of it as a discovery session for your tech needs.

The PPMO will partner with you to:

  • Review your current business processes and systems, identifying opportunities for improvement.
  • Conduct a needs assessment and identify your basic requirements.
  • Research the market and identify potential solutions.
  • Provide guidance on university security and web accessibility requirements.
  • Help navigate the formal project request process if your consultation leads to a project.

When to use it

Request a tech consult when you need a technology solution - even if you're not sure what it is - or if you need an improvement/modification to a current technology system/application/tool or related business process.

what to expect

  1. Complete and submit the tech consult request form. We'll confirm your submission by commenting directly in the tech consult.
  2. As soon as an OTS liaison is available, they'll work with you to assess needs and help guide next steps.
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Software Purchase/Contract Renewals

This option ensures the university is purchasing software that's digitally accessible, secure and suitable. It's also the first step before Procurement activities can begin. 

when to use it

Use this option when you need to acquire new software or renew a current software contract. Before starting, explore TU's available software options or see the project management applications already vetted by OTS, ready for use or purchase.

Hardware (laptops, monitors, etc.) purchase info should be submitted through a TechHelp service request. If you're using Student Technology Fees (STF) funds to purchase software, please contact your designated CCLT coordinator or for assistance.

what to expect

  1. Complete and submit a software purchase/contract renewal request. We'll confirm we've received your submission.
  2. OTS performs web accessibility and security reviews, which typically takes about seven business days. Once assessments are complete, the PPMO will notify you so you can proceed with the purchase/renewal steps. 
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IT Project Requests

This option is for submitting requests for complex IT projects. These are larger-scale technology efforts, approached holistically and approved and prioritized at the university-level. The PPMO will guide you throughout the request process as needed and manage approved projects.

when to use it

This type of request is for technology projects requiring significant planning, resources and coordination.

what to expect

TU's Executive Team meets twice yearly (mid-fall and mid-spring) to review, approve/decline and prioritize IT project requests. Their recommendations are shared with the President’s Cabinet (PC), then with the PPMO for next steps.

Recommended timing for submitting requests is by mid-July for the fall meeting and mid-February for the spring meeting. Submitting as early as possible helps us prepare your project request for Executive Team consideration. Confirm you have these before starting your request: 

  • approval from your VP/Dean.
  • resources from your department to support the project, if approved.
  • a detailed business case with supporting data. All project requests need to include this so the Executive Team can make an informed decision.
  1. Complete and submit a project request. Be sure to attach any relevant docs. We'll confirm we received your submission and let you know when an OTS liaison is available.
  2. The liaison will work with you to define scope and assess which OTS and functional resources are needed. 
  3. The request goes to the next Executive Team meeting (twice a year) for review and either approval/prioritization or denial, then is shared with PC and decisions are reported back to the PPMO. The PPMO will notify you of next steps.