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Frequently Asked Questions


What is the CDC Unified Process (CDC UP)?
What makes project management in the context of public health unique?
Why does CDC need a Unified Process?
What processes does the CDC UP unify?
How is the CDC UP being developed?
How do I access the tools, templates and artifacts that comprise the CDC UP?
How does the CDC UP work with HealthImpact.net?
Is the CDC UP now live?
Is the CDC UP required?
Is the CDC UP Rational (RUP) based?
Will the CDC UP force me to micro manage my project?
How do I request a change to a Process Guide or Template?
How can I link to the CDC UP web site?
How can I use CDC UP content?

What is considered the "domain" for the CDC Project Management Community of Practice (PMCoP)?


What is the CDC Unified Process (CDC UP)?
The CDC Unified Process (CDC UP) is a defined and clear approach to successful project delivery through a consistent and repeatable integration of processes that comply with Federal regulations and policies, industry best practices, and PHIN and CDC standards.

What makes project management in the context of public health unique?
Project management in the public health sector has some unique challenges that many non-government projects do not face. One of the greatest challenges involves the political process including the budgeting processes for public health projects. The budgeting process is initiated several years in advance of the actual project initiation and often many project factors including technologies available change during the time span for the initial funding request and the approval to begin the project. During this time, the elected officials and their agenda may change, which often affects the support and continuation of funding for a project.

Another major area of uniqueness is that the language of public health and project management are very different. For example, the term program in public health generally refers to a specific set of activities aimed at addressing a key public health concern, such as the TB prevention program while in project management the term program means a grouping of like projects and operations. In general, project management does apply to public health even in an environment where public health practitioners define themselves frequently in terms of skills sets (epidemiology) and subject matter expertise. The more significant language challenges emerge from separate concepts, such as a work break down structure in project management and a data collection protocol in public health. The terms of project management are not routine to public health practitioners, who have deep subject matter expertise in areas such as epidemiology, biostatistics, environmental health, genetic research, and surveillance. Identifying these language differences and agreeing upon the lexicon that will be used in public health projects must be done early on to eliminate confusion and frustrations.

The CDC UP is not just a Software Development Life Cycle, but a collection of processes, tools and artifacts that any project might use to structure, track and manage their activities and deliverables. The CDC UP can be applied to projects across the CDC (e.g., IT, campaign, and construction), not just informatics projects, to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of project management processes. It will also accommodate a fast-track approach for quickly developing solutions in the event of a public health emergency.

Why does CDC need a Unified Process?
Did you know that according to a 2003 Standish Group study of IT projects undertaken by U.S. companies in large, medium, and small industries:

  • 34% of projects were successful
  • 51% were “challenged” (e.g. over budget, late, and/or did not meet outcomes)
  • 15% outright failed

While these results leave plenty of room for progress, they show a significant improvement over the prior year's results due to increased use of project management best practices.  The CDC UP is being developed to provide a defined and clear approach to project delivery, using processes that promote successful project outcomes. The CDC UP will include a series of scalable project components that facilitate a consistent and repeatable delivery process through the use of tools, techniques and templates.

What processes does the CDC UP unify?
As project and program managers at CDC manage their projects, they need to know and follow a variety of new and existing CDC and Federal processes and requirements. These processes include:

  • Goals Management
  • Security Certification and Accreditation
  • Privacy Impact Assessment
  • Enterprise Architecture
  • Procurement and Contracts
  • Project Management
  • Capital Planning

Some of these processes are clearly defined and commonly practiced across the CDC, such as the Capital Planning process. Others, such as project management processes, are less well-defined and are followed in different ways across the CDC. The CDC UP will be a consistent, common framework for delivering projects at CDC and will include best practices customized to the CDC that are re-usable and adaptable for multiple processes.

How is the CDC UP being developed?
The new National Center for Public Health Informatics (NCPHI) is leading the initiative to create the CDC UP. NCPHI is facilitating the activities of a design group of NC representatives, who will engage with CDC process owners and other stakeholders to identify and document CDC's processes and best practices and create the CDC UP. The process of creating the CDC UP will be a continuous cycle in order to accommodate ongoing changes to CDC and Federal processes.

How do I access the tools, templates and artifacts that comprise the CDC UP?
This CDC Unified Process website will be your one-stop source for guidance, templates, and tools related to the CDC UP. Check back often for updates.

How does the CDC UP work with HealthImpact.net?
The CDC UP is not a system. The CDC UP is a collection of practices, processes, and tools that have been developed based on CDC and project management industry best practices. CDC UP artifacts can be used in conjunction with HealthImpact.net

Is the CDC UP now live?
Yes, the CDC UP is live!

Is the CDC UP required?
No, the CDC UP is not required at this time - it is a resource at the disposal of project managers to assist them in better managing projects.

Is the CDC UP Rational (RUP) based?
The CDC UP is agnostic. The CDC UP will work as the project management component of a project life cycle regardless of what system development life cycle (SDLC) is used on a project.

Will the CDC UP force me to micro manage my project?
The CDC UP will not force you to micro manage projects. Instead it will identify what a manager should be thinking about and when throughout a project's life cycle.

How do I request a change to a Process Guide or Template?
To request an update to the Process Guides or Templates contact the CDC UP via our contact form with details of your request.   Your request will be reviewed and if approved by the appropriate artifact owner, will be presented to the IEC CDC UP Workgroup for approval.

What is considered the "domain" for the PMCoP?
The “domain” for the CDC Project Management Community of Practice is project management theory and knowledge across all types of projects at the CDC. Specifically the objectives for the CDC PMCoP include:

  • Develop and share collective knowledge of project management
  • Facilitate professional networking among CDC project mangers
  • Develop synergies across CDC projects and the CDC project management community
  • Stay on the cutting edge of best practices with CDC Unified Process and provide guidance on future development activities
  • Provide continued educational opportunities to the CDC project management community through application and practice

How can I link to the CDC UP web site?
Linking information can be found here

How Can I use CDC UP content?
Policies can be found here



 

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