Part 2. Information Technology

Chapter 145. Availability Management

Section 1. Availability Management Policy

2.145.1 Availability Management Policy

Manual Transmittal

October 01, 2019

Purpose

(1) This transmittal revised IRM Part 2 Chapter 146 Availability Management ,Section 1 Availability Management Policy with updated Process Description and Procedure Templates adding Internal Control Section.

Material Changes

(1) Revised the entire document with updated IPM Process Description Templates adding Internal Control Section aligned with new agency-wide KISAM system.

Effect on Other Documents

IRM 2.145.1 dated June 11, 2014 is superseded.

Audience

The Availability Management Process is applicable to all ACIO areas with responsibility for Availability Management.

Effective Date

(10-01-2019)


Chief Information Officer

2.145.1.1 (10-01-2019)

Program Scope and Objectives

  1. Overview - This IRM is the resource guide for Availability Management which aims to define, analyze, plan, measure and improve all aspects of the availability of IT services. It is responsible for ensuring that all IT infrastructure, processes, tools, roles etc. are appropriate for the agreed availability targets.

  2. Purpose - This IRM establishes the organizational policy for planning and performing the Availability Management Process to ensure that all current and future availability aspects of the IT infrastructure are provided to meet business requirements at acceptable cost. The Availability Management process optimizes the capability of the IT Infrastructure, services, and supporting organizations to deliver a cost effective and sustained level of service availability that meets business requirements.

  3. Audience - This IRM is applicable to all IT organizations with responsibilities for Availability Management activities.

  4. Policy Owner - Associate Chief Information Officer (ACIO)

  5. Program Owner - Solution Engineering (SE) is responsible for the development, implementation, and maintenance, of this policy. This policy is approved by the Chief Technology Officer. All updates are accomplished through the Enterprise Services, Director, Solution Engineering. All proposed changes to this policy must be submitted to the Chief, SE Process Maturity Group.

  6. Primary Stakeholders - Stakeholders include:

    • Enterprise Operations (EOPS)

    • Cyber Security (CS)

    • User and Network Services (UNS)

    • Enterprise Services (ES)

  7. Program Goals - All IT organizations responsible for Availability Management activities shall follow the Availability Management Policy to ensure all activities are accomplished and all work products are produced.

2.145.1.1.1 (10-01-2019)

Background

  1. This policy is established to defend the IRS IT infrastructure against unavailability.

2.145.1.1.1.1 (10-01-2019)
Purpose

  1. This policy establishes the organizational policy for planning and performing the Availability Management Process to ensure that all current and future availability aspects of the IT infrastructure are provided to meet business requirements at acceptable cost. The Availability Management process optimizes the capability of the IT Infrastructure, services, and supporting organizations to deliver a cost effective and sustained level of service availability that meets business requirements..

2.145.1.1.1.2 (10-01-2019)
Scope

  1. This policy is applicable to all IT organizations with responsibilities for Availability Management Activities.

2.145.1.1.2 (10-01-2019)

Authority

  1. Solutions Engineering is responsible for the development, implementation, and maintenance, of this directive. Approval of this directive, including updates, rests with the Chief Technology Officer. All proposed changes to this directive must be submitted to the Chief, SE Process Maturity Group.

2.145.1.1.3 (10-01-2019)

Mandate

  1. Applicability:

    • All IT organizations responsible for Availability Management activities shall follow the Availability Management Process to ensure all activities are accomplished and all work products are produced

    .

  2. Completion of Availability Management Process
    Responsible IT organizations shall ensure that the following key activities are performed in accordance with the defined Availability Management Process:

    • Determine availability requirements

    • Compile availability plans

    • Monitor availability

    • Monitor maintenance obligations

    • Provide management information about Incident management quality and operations