For CPIC Professionals

FSAM Overview for CPIC Professionals

"Invest" is the second phase of the Performance Improvement Lifecycle (architect > invest > implement). Accordingly, there is a natural relationship between FSAM, which supports the "Architect" phase of the lifecycle, and the Capital Planning and Investment Control (CPIC) process which supports the "Invest" phase of the lifecycle. FSAM was designed to assist architects not only in their efforts to develop segment architectures, but to produce outputs that would be of value to CPIC professionals. Specifically, CPIC professionals can leverage outputs from FSAM to understand how investments fit within the target state for the segment, verify justification language within business cases and budget requests, understand the intended funding strategy for an investment request, and help determine the overall modernization program plan for a segment and which investments are impacted.

FSAM includes outputs that are designed to help architects and capital planners work together to ensure that investment proposals captured in the agency's Exhibit 53 and portfolio of Exhibit 300s are aligned with the agency EA. To show alignment, the FSAM includes guidance for mapping Exhibit 300s and Exhibit 53 to the agency-defined segment architectures. This creates a linkage from agency strategy to EA to segment architecture to IT investment; ensuring resources are utilized to support the strategic objectives of the organization. More specifically, the FSAM includes outputs designed to articulate the strategic improvement opportunities, business and information requirements, and transition recommendations which all are required for appropriate documentation of business cases and budget requests.

Why should CPIC Professionals use the FSAM?

CPIC professionals should use FSAM because information that is being produced during the FSAM process will help facilitate the information needed for the investment phase of the Performance Improvement Lifecycle. Specifically, the FSAM includes outputs that will assist CPIC professionals in their efforts to prioritize and evaluate investments and their alignment to agency strategic goals and objectives. Furthermore, the FSAM includes approved transition planning documentation that is designed to outline the full program of changes required within the segment and how those changes aligned to existing and new investments.

What information is relevant?

CPIC professionals historically have not had an active role during the development of segment architectures. This deficiency can be resolved by active participation of CPIC professionals throughout the FSAM at key review points and, when appropriate, as aids to the core team. Active involvement of CPIC professionals throughout the FSAM process will help ensure that FSAM outputs are of value to the CPIC process. Specifically, CPIC personnel can observe the core team as they analyze and define strategic improvement opportunities for the segment. Then CPIC personnel can review the as-is conceptual solution architecture analysis, the portfolio analysis, and the target conceptual solution architecture and relevant sequencing and funding plans. These FSAM outputs will provide CPIC personnel with the full understanding of why new investments are being formulated, how the funding is expected to be allocated, and the intended sequencing of implementation events.

Many of the outputs from FSAM are either core or support existing mandatory requirements and management processes. Listed below are the FSAM outputs that are core to the CPIC process and the FSAM outputs that support the CPIC process. These specific outputs will be valuable for CPIC professionals as investment strategies are formulated and requests are authored.

FSAM Outputs that are core to the CPIC process:

  • Performance Scorecard — Activity 2.3 (core FSAM output)
  • Target Service Component Architecture — Activity 4.2 (core FSAM output)
  • Target Technical Architecture — Activity 4.2 (core FSAM output)
  • Reuse Summary — Activity 4.2 (core FSAM output)
  • Data Reuse — Activity 4.2 (core FSAM output)
  • Target Conceptual Solution Architecture — Activity 4.3 (core FSAM output)
  • Recommendation Sequencing Milestones — Activity 4.3
  • Segment Mappings — Activity 5.2
  • Transition Plan Milestones — Activity 5.2

FSAM Outputs that support the CPIC process:

  • Segment Architecture Development Purpose Statement — Activity 1.2 (core FSAM output)
  • Performance Gaps — Activity 2.2 (core FSAM output)
  • Strategic Improvement Opportunities — Activity 2.2 (core FSAM output)
  • Risks and impacts — Activity 2.2
  • Segment Performance Goals and Objectives — Activity 2.3
  • Business and Data Architecture Adjustment Profiles —Activity 3.2
  • Target Business Value Chain Diagram — Activity 3.3


Graphic showing where the CPIC professional is involved in the five FSAM process steps.