Project Catalyst is a strategic initiative led by the Application Development Service Line to redefine how software is developed and maintained across the Office of Informatics & IT. The initiative focuses on improving efficiency, reducing technical debt, and aligning teams around a standardized, streamlined software development lifecycle (SDLC).
In tandem, IIT leadership is engaging departments to review existing applications, identify high-priority tools, and select pilot projects to test the new development model.
Goals
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- Increase development efficiency across teams
- Standardize practices and processes to reduce variability
- Minimize risk by duplicating proven approaches
- Streamline workflows for faster delivery
- Reduce technical debt by ensuring applications are maintained and updated
- Address security and vulnerability concerns in legacy systems
- Establish a unified set of development standards across IIT
Outcomes
By the end of 2025, Project Catalyst will deliver:
- A standardized SDLC across IIT
- Reduced technical debt and improved application sustainability
- Enhanced developer experience and collaboration
- A vetted set of pilot projects demonstrating the new model
- A more agile, secure, and scalable application ecosystem to support research and operations
Project Updates
Status Update – 11/6/25 – On Track
All workgroups are actively drafting recommendations and aligning with strategic priorities.
November 6, 2025
Timeline
October 2025
- Begin meetings with principal investigators (pre-chair meetings)
- Launch departmental engagement to review application inventory
November 2025
- Continue departmental meetings
- Begin identifying potential pilot projects
December 2025
- Select 3–6 test case projects to pilot the new development process
- Workgroups continue meeting and submitting weekly status reports
- Completion of workgroup deliverables by end of 2025
Workgroups
To drive this transformation, 15 workgroups have been formed, each focused on a specific technical domain. These groups are tasked with defining the future of software development within IIT.
Focus Areas Include:
- Tech Stacks
- DevOps
- SDLC
- Developer Experience
- Generative AI Efficiencies
Each workgroup has a clearly defined charter, outlining its scope, deliverables, and collaboration expectations. Teams meet regularly and submit weekly status reports to IIT leadership. Cross-group collaboration ensures alignment and consistency across technical areas.
Next Steps
- IIT Leadership will contact Departmental leaders and PIs to schedule application inventory reviews
- Workgroups will continue refining development standards and practices
- Exception requests for high-priority applications can be submitted via the Exception Request Survey or by contacting your Business Relationship Manager
- Applications currently designated as high priority include:
- HR MED
- CATT (Central Accounts Tracking Tool)
- FAST
- Select department-specific tools