TAC 216 Companion Guide - IT Project Management Best Practices - Texas A&M University System - Version 2026

Sep 12, 2026

Upload by Noah

TAC 216 Companion Guide provides IT project management best practices for the Texas A&M University System, focused on helping members achieve compliance with TAC 216. The guide explains how to use the companion guide, defines a compliance path, and outlines core practices across initiation, planning, execution, monitoring, control, and closing. It includes guidance on project classification, complexity assessment customization, reasonableness checks, assessment and reporting, and member governance responsibilities, plus governance and review processes and templates in appendices.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryPresentations

FormatPDF

Pages44

Reading Time15 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

The A&M System’s Approach to Help Members Achieve Compliance with TAC 216

Using the Companion Guide

Starting on the Path to Compliance with TAC 216

Getting Started with the Companion Guide

Best Practices

Project Management Practices

Projects, Tasks and Ongoing Operations

Projects

Project Classification

Using the Complexity Assessment

Always Check for Reasonableness

Level 3 and Level 4 Projects

Companion Guide Project Management Processes, Procedures and Documentation

Project Initiation

Project Planning

Project Execution, Monitoring and Controlling

Project Closing

Assessment and Reporting

Effectiveness of IT Project Management Practices

Member IT Project Governance

TAC 216 Companion Guide Governance

Biennial Review Process

Mid-Cycle Review Process

Subcommittee Membership

Appendices

Appendix A – Templates

Appendix B – TAC 216, Major Information Resources Projects and Internal Audit

Appendix C – Project Document Management

Appendix D – Process Group Documentation

TAC 216 Companion Guide IT Project Management Best Practices The Texas A&M University System Version 2026 | Last Revised 09/ 12/2025 Table of Contents Table of Contents....................................................................................................................... 2 Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 4 The A&M System’s Approach to Help Members Achieve Compliance with TAC 216 ......................... 4 Using the Companion Guide................................................................................................... 5 Starting on the Path to Compliance with TAC 216............................................................... 5 Getting Started with the Companion Guide ......................................................................... 6 Best Practices ..................................................................................................................... 8 Project Management Practices .................................................................................................10 Projects, Tasks and Ongoing Operations ..............................................................................10 Tasks .................................................................................................................................10 Operations .........................................................................................................................10 Projects ..............................................................................................................................11 Project Classification .............................................................................................................11 Customizing the Complexity Assessment...........................................................................11 Using the Complexity Assessment .....................................................................................11 Always Check for Reasonableness ....................................................................................12 Level 3 and Level 4 Projects ..............................................................................................12 Companion Guide Project Management Processes, Procedures and Documentation ...........12 Project Initiation .................................................................................................................12 Project Planning .................................................................................................................14 Project Execution, Monitoring and Controlling ....................................................................16 Project Closing ...................................................................................................................18 Assessment and Reporting .......................................................................................................20 Effectiveness of IT Project Management Practices ................................................................20 Member IT Project Governance .............................................................................................22 Table 1 – Example Member Project Governance Approach ...............................................22 TAC 216 Companion Guide Governance ..................................................................................24 Biennial Review Process .......................................................................................................24 November – April ...............................................................................................................24 May – August .....................................................................................................................24 September ....................

FAQs

How does the guide help members achieve compliance with TAC 216?

It presents the A&M System’s approach, explains how to use the companion guide, and walks readers through starting on the compliance path. It then covers best practices and governance processes aligned to TAC 216 requirements.

What project management stages are covered in the guide?

The guide covers project initiation, project planning, project execution with monitoring and controlling, and project closing. It also specifies related processes, procedures, and documentation expectations.

How are projects classified and how is complexity assessed?

The guide includes project classification and explains how to customize the complexity assessment. It also instructs readers to always check for reasonableness and provides specific coverage for Level 3 and Level 4 projects.

Sep 12, 2026

Upload by Noah