Because IT spending represents a critical investment of public tax dollars, federal agencies are required by law to design and implement a rigorous IT investment process.

Customs Investment Management Process is a meticulous process that selects only those IT projects that promise the greatest potential return on investment, controls the risks associated with a project's implementation, and evaluates the project's return on investment and alignment with Customs Enterprise Architecture. The Federal CIO Council recently recognized Customs Investment Management Process as a "Smart Practice."

In March 2000, Woody Hall, Assistant Commissioner and Chief Information Officer, Office of Information and Technology (OIT), issued the Investment Management Process System Description. This publication describes the procedures for obtaining IT project approvals within Customs.

The first step of Customs IMP is for a project sponsor to work with their office's business information technology representative (BITR) in order to develop a project concept. This information is then recorded on an Information Technology Concept Document (ITCD) and submitted via the BITR to OIT.

When OIT receives the ITCD, three committees conduct a review of the new IT concept:

• The Technology Review Committee (TRC), comprised of OIT senior managers, initially screens projects. The TRC confirms that the proposed project is compatible with Customs current IT architecture and is not duplicating another project. Upon approval, project sponsors may be required to develop a business case, which details the IT initiative and provides justification for funding.
• The Information Technology Committee (ITC), comprised of all the BITRs and chaired by the Executive Director of Software Development Division (SDD), reviews ITC recommendations and, if approved, ranks them in order of priority for funding.
• The Investment Review Board (IRB), comprised of the Assistant Commissioners and chaired by the Deputy Commissioner, then receives the business case for final review and approval. If funding is available within Customs resources, the project can be initiated. If no funds are currently available, the project moves into the federal budget process in an attempt to receive funding.

The Customs IMP employs Integrated Project Teams to guide a project from concept to implementation. The BITRs represent their Assistant Commissioners in matters regarding IT investments, and serve as the liaison between the project sponsor and OIT. Customs employees who wish to propose a potential IT solution to a work-process problem should first contact their BITR (see sidebar). Team members are selected when an office submits a business case. So, not every Customs office has a team member.

U.S. Customs BITRs Have a neat information technology idea? Contact your office's BITR! Office of Field Operations: Diane Hundertmark Monica Temoney (alternate) Office of Finance: Tom Garrison Office of Human Resources Management: Barbara Zakrison Beth Stier (alternate) Office of Information and Technology: Charlie Mayer Phil Davis (alternate) Office of Internal Affairs: Javaid Kaiser Tom Bovasso (alternate) Office of International Affairs: Eileen McLucas Denna Henry (alternate) Office of Investigations: James Geddes Pete Delsandro (alternate) Office of Planning: Simon Stella Office of Regulations and Rulings: Howard Plofker Office of Strategic Trade: Joe Cichocki Paul Baxter (alternate) Office of Training and Development: David Mudrick Robert Frierson (alternate) For more information about Customs IMP, please contact Ed McCoy, OIT Planning Group, at (703) 921-6364.