# Multi-Year Technology Planning (MYTP) # Multi-Year Technology Planning (MYTP) Programs & initiatives [ Download guidelines arrow\_circle\_right ](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/mytp/ESatgliaDblGriGLtXwCWU4BsfROS5ZzWP65V7JWAXriyw?e=H1Uo7s) ![2019 Harvard University IT Summit](/sites/g/files/omnuum10811/files/styles/hwp_21_9__1920x825/public/2025-05/2019%20IT%20Summit%20-%20Photo%20by%20Michelle%20Jay.jpeg?itok=EF0wQ5U3) ## Contents - [Overview](#overview) - [Timeline](#timeline) - [Submission process](#process) - [Resources](#resources) - [Contact](#contact) - [FAQs](#faqs) ## Overview The Multi-Year Technology Planning (MYTP) process aids Harvard in providing our faculty, students, staff, and researchers with the best possible digital campus. It helps each school / unit identify the key investment decisions they need to make to advance their respective priority areas of growth, change, and reinvigoration, and it will aim to harmonize them with University investments and priorities. Through the MYTP and increased coordination, Harvard will gain visibility into what significant investments are being made and leverage central investments in a way that avoids duplication and maximizes investments. The MYTP process will also help enhance the Harvard community’s digital experience by supporting a more integrated technology ecosystem for faculty, students, staff, and researchers. [Download full guidelines about the Multi-Year Technology Planning process](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/mytp/ESatgliaDblGriGLtXwCWU4BsfROS5ZzWP65V7JWAXriyw?e=XG1xld). ## Timeline Sort Date Activity July 2025 The Office of Technology Strategy and Planning (OTSP) distributes Technology Planning Guidelines and a template spreadsheet to schools and units, prior to Multi-Year Financial Planning (MYFP) process. October 3, 2025 Schools and units submit Multi-Year Technology Plans (MYTP) to OTSP by Friday, October 3, 2025, using a template spreadsheet and the school’s/unit’s prior-year plan. A complete MYTP includes both the spreadsheet of planned and needed investments and the narrative component. October 2025 OTSP reviews the MYTP submissions, holding follow-up meetings as necessary. Winter 2025 - 26 UCIO, OTSP, and senior leadership reviews are ongoing after submission. UCIO shares information with the Deans, Administrative Deans, Financial Deans, CIOs, the EVP, and the Provost. The University MYTP is presented to the Corporation. Spring 2026 OTSP seeks feedback on process and suggestions for improvement to consider for the next cycle. ## Submission process A complete Multi-Year Technology Plan includes two components: - A spreadsheet of planned and desired technology investments, which can be an update of the prior year's plan - The narrative component, including a response to this year's planning questions; the narrative component is described in detail in the Guidelines Both documents should be emailed to . The submission due date is **Friday, October 3, 2025.** ## Resources - [Download full guidelines about the Multi-Year Technology Planning process](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/mytp/ESatgliaDblGriGLtXwCWU4BsfROS5ZzWP65V7JWAXriyw?e=d0GVj4) - [MYTP Investment Spreadsheet FY26](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:x:/s/mytp/ER2T2QjtS6VPvnOqBrqL5TwBHLlK27B6pThHhT6qgLkUMA?e=mVL86u) OTSP will be hosting bi-weekly drop-in "office hours" by Zoom leading up to the October 3 submission deadline: - Tuesday July 29: 10:00 am – 11:00 am - Wednesday August 13: 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm - Wednesday August 27: 10:00 am – 11:00 am - Monday, September 8: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm - Monday, September 22: 10:30 am – 11:30 am - Tuesday, September 30: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm ## Contact - [Email the Office of Technology Strategy and Planning (OTSP)](mailto:OTSP@harvard.edu) Join and ask questions in the #mytp Slack channel and the MYTP Microsoft Teams channel. (Please contact us if you would like to be added to the Teams channel.) We will be happy to connect for questions, support, and planning conversations. ## FAQs Open all sections Close all sections ### Goals and Outcomes expand\_more Open all sections Close all sections ### Who is the audience for my school or unit's MYTP submission? expand\_more Individual MYTP submissions (investments spreadsheets and written narratives) will be reviewed by the UCIO, OTSP, and a small HUIT team that will support data analysis. In aggregate, the common themes, trends, and areas of significant investment surfaced by the analysis will be shared more broadly, including with HUIT leadership, school CIOs, school Administrative and Financial Deans, the Provost, the EVP, and the Harvard Corporation. Findings may also be shared with others participating in the MYTP process and interested members of the community. ### How is the information from MYTP submissions used? expand\_more In addition to the reporting on themes and emerging trends to various school and University leadership, information surfaced through MYTP can help: - Enhance the effectiveness of IT investment procurement, utilization, and management - Improve renewal and replacement planning and ensure an appropriate pace of investment in IT to support Harvard’s mission - Support the evergreening of IT and keeping investments up to date - Uncover potential risks, including in areas other than IT security, such as those associated with IT outsourcing or vendor relationships, to ensure Harvard’s operations and reputation are protected - Pinpoint areas in need of additional support from the Central Administration - Share information and lessons learned across IT investments and schools/units - Start conversations about shared needs and opportunities ### What is the difference between MYTP and IPIT? expand\_more MYTP and IPIT (the Integrated Planning for IT process) are closely coordinated but distinct efforts. IPIT looks retrospectively at actual IT spending, both centrally and in the schools and units, while MYTP focuses prospectively on planned or anticipated investments. MYTP has replaced and expanded the forward-looking information formerly gathered through IPIT. Although the two processes follow different timelines—MYTP aligns with the MYFP schedule, while IPIT relies on data finalized after the general ledger closes in late summer—they are designed to inform and complement one another. ### How does or should the information from MYTP submissions relate to MYFP submissions? expand\_more MYTP is meant to serve as a process complementary to other existing planning exercises such as MYFP, MYCP, and annual budget planning. OTSP coordinates closely with the offices administering those processes to ensure alignment and that they are not duplicative. Although MYTP is a separate (but linked) process, technology planning is closely linked to financial planning processes in many schools and units, and MYTP data are shared with senior leadership centrally to inform decision-making and planning. The timing of MYTP is such that it can also allow for meaningful planning that informs MYFP and annual budgeting locally. ### Submission Fields expand\_more Open all sections Close all sections ### How much detail should be included in an investment description? expand\_more It is important to include enough detail to describe the investment itself, the business challenges it will solve, and any opportunities to be realized. However, overly detailed or very technical descriptions of workplans are not needed. For most investments, three to five sentences should be sufficient. ### What if we haven't yet selected a vendor for a particular investment? expand\_more Please write "vendor selection underway" or "no vendors anticipated" as appropriate. ### What if I don't have a cost estimate yet for an investment? expand\_more A rough estimate is fine, and it’s understood that costs will evolve and firm up as work approaches. If costs (one-time and/or operating costs) are entirely unknown, please leave the field blank. However, schools / units are expected to include a cost estimate for FY27 projects or needs. ### Why are we expected to include information about an investment's estimated useful life? expand\_more Lifecycle planning for technology is an important aspect of both technology and financial planning and is discussed as part of significant investment. This information allows schools / units to better plan upgrades and replacements while aligning with strategic goals, and over time, the data may be a useful factor to consider in assessing the value of our investments. Information on the life expectancy of investments across the University also provides helpful benchmarking for individual schools and units. Please see the [FY26 Multi-Year Technology Planning Guidelines](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/mytp/ESatgliaDblGriGLtXwCWU4BsfROS5ZzWP65V7JWAXriyw?e=6D3wIP) for more information. ### Spreadsheet Usability expand\_more Open all sections Close all sections ### Can I select multiple options in the fields with drop-down menus? expand\_more No, the fields with drop-down menus are intended to allow only one selection. Please choose the option that fits best, and only select ‘Other’ if none of the other options apply at all. ### How can I edit a response in a field with a drop-down menu? expand\_more If you would like to change the selection in a multiple selection field, simply hit delete and start over. ### What's the best way to complete the 'Estimated Spend per Fiscal Year' field? expand\_more Note that this field is now optional. This field has intentionally been left as open text, recognizing that responses will vary based on the anticipated length of a project, estimated cost, and amount of detail currently known. Some investments may occur in one year only, some many span multiple years, and others may exceed the three-year MYTP view. Costs may be unknown or vary between different years. As such, if you chose to provide this information, please respond however you're able to convey it most clearly and easily, depending on the circumstances for each particular investment. ### Support expand\_more Open all sections Close all sections ### My question isn't answered here. How can I get more information? expand\_more The [FY26 Multi-Year Technology Planning Guidelines](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/mytp/ESatgliaDblGriGLtXwCWU4BsfROS5ZzWP65V7JWAXriyw?e=Iaw7ad) provide additional detail on the process. OTSP is also readily available to you to answer questions and provide support. Contact information, including email, Slack, Teams, and office hours, is available on the MYTP website. ### I'm not available during any of the scheduled office hours, but my team has questions. How can we get help? expand\_more OTSP is available to answer questions by [email](mailto:otsp@harvard.edu), as well as Slack and Teams (see our Contact page for more information). We will also be happy to schedule meetings with individuals or teams.