ABSTRACT
A number of considerations enter into determining committee structure. Authority, time and expertise are important factors. One common governance structure is a hierarchy of committees, where the most important is an IT governance or steering committee consisting of the most senior managers and clinicians, including the chief executive officer (CEO), chief operating officer (COO), chief financial officer (CFO) and chief information officer (CIO). This committee prioritizes projects and holds others accountable for project success. Since the members lack specific expertise in the clinical or business areas affected, advisory committees are needed. For example, a clinical systems committee would advise on all proposed clinical IT projects. That committee, however, would not have the time to oversee the implementation of more than a few projects. Therefore, a committee is needed for each major project that includes the executive sponsor, the clinical or business sponsor most affected and IT staff.
