The need for information technology governance to manage investments and enable enterprise success is becoming widely recognized and codified with industry standards, professional organizations and specialized certifications. According to ISACA, the leading professional organization for information systems auditors, controllers, and professionals:

IT investments represent a profound conundrum within many enterprises. There are no other investments… that occupy such a large and growing expenditure, yet lack disciplined management, processes and performance measurements. (CGEIT Review Manual 2011) 

IT governance at MSU is modeled on the COBIT 5 framework published by ISACA (Information Systems Audit and Control Association). Within this framework, IT governance includes leadership, structures, processes, policies, and standards that ensure disciplined management and execution of IT investments to enable the organization's objectives.

The PMO supports the governance structure, ensuring:

Strategic Alignment:  balanced portfolio management and prioritization of investments to enable strategic objectives

Value Delivery:  program management and project support to ensure investments are effectively executed and intended benefits are realized

Risk Management:  monitoring, evaluating and mitigating investment risks; realizing opportunities

Resource Optimization:  allocation of resources in alignment with priorities

Stakeholder Transparency:  communicating with constituents to provide insight and clarity into decision making processes, investment status, and outcomes