March 25, 2024
CDT Unveils Smarter and Faster Project Delivery Lifecycle Process
SACRAMENTO, Calif. –
Why it Matters: California is changing how it plans, buys, and rolls out technology projects. The new Project Delivery Lifecycle (PDL) is more flexible and practical than the former Project Approval Lifecycle, ensuring that state technology investments keep up with modern technologies and best practices to deliver real benefits to Californians.
The California Department of Technology (CDT), in partnership with the Government Operations Agency and other key state organizations, did a soft launch in February on a new way to get technology projects off the ground faster and more effectively. The Project Delivery Lifecycle is designed to speed up approvals, improve purchasing processes, and ensure projects deliver real value—especially those projects leveraging Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI).
According to Deputy State CIO and CDT Chief Deputy Director Jared Johnson, there’s a lot at stake.
“Technology powers nearly every government service, so we designed the PDL to give state entities a more flexible and forward-thinking approach. The PDL helps us deliver business value faster by working closely with vendors to build Proofs of Concept and Minimum Viable Products before scaling up—so we can validate solutions early and invest smarter.”
On March 12, CDT hosted a webinar for customers on the PDL to promote how the new project lifecycle will eventually replace the Project Approval Lifecycle for IT and non-IT projects. “When we started talking about PDL, we started with GenAI in mind,” said CDT Deputy Director of Statewide Project Delivery Tim Issertell. “That’s where this whole concept came from.” What’s new about the PDL?
- Instead of massive, years-long projects, state entities will now test ideas first—using Proofs of Concept (POCs) and Minimum Viable Products (MVPs)—to confirm they work before fully committing.
- Expert support from the Office of Data and Innovation (ODI) will help entities with early planning, best practices, and project management guidance and resources.
- CDT will continue to oversee approvals and purchasing while making the process clearer, more efficient, and more transparent.
- State entities will now be able to secure funding and resources as projects move forward through a phased approach, rather than locking in funding and resources upfront.
- CDT and the Department of General Services will offer more flexible purchasing options—like the Request for Innovative Ideas (RFI2)—making it easier to test new solutions and choose the best fit before committing to a large-scale rollout.
The PDL is a key part of California’s commitment to smarter, more responsible digital government, aligning with Governor Newsom’s GenAI and with the state’s current technology strategic plan, Envision 2026. By making the project process more practical and adaptable, the state is working to meet the growing needs of the administration, technology partners, and most importantly, California residents.