Florida PALM IV&V
NewSouth is partnering with PCG to provide Independent Verification and Validation (IV&V) Services for the Florida PALM project, a multiyear endeavor to replace the current accounting and cash management systems with a cloud-based, modern financial management solution. The Florida PALM Team is partnering with agencies to design, build, and implement a standardized, scalable, statewide system that will enhance Florida’s business practices and position Florida for future innovation. The Florida PALM Project commenced on July 1, 2014, and the contract for an integrated software and implementation support services was signed on July 20, 2018. Florida PALM launched the first roll-out of functionality in 2021 by making cash management functions available for the State in the new system.
The state of Florida has encountered significant challenges in the rollout of cash management functions, including but not limited to lacking functionality, end-users complaining of lack of functionality and inefficient business processes, cost over runs, etc. The first engagement is to conduct a “look back” assessment of the Florida PALM implementation of the Cash Management functionality to identify lessons learned and to make recommendations that improve the chances of more positive outcomes for the remaining scope of the Florida PALM project. NewSouth is working with our partner PCG by bringing senior IV&V resources, PeopleSoft Financials Experts, and Government Finance expertise to the team. These lessons learned will help the State of Florida avoid similar challenges on future implementations of other Florida PALM modules and PCG/NewSouth will apply these lessons learned while providing IV&V services to subsequent module implementations.
North Carolina’s NC FAST Project IV&V
Since 2017, NewSouth has provide talented staff to support the current NC FAST (North Carolina Families Accessing Services through Technology) Independent Verification and Validation (IV&V) project. NC FAST is a program designed to improve the way the NC Department of Health and Human Services (NC DHHS) and county departments of social services deliver the whole spectrum of Medicare, Medicaid, Food and Nutrition Services (FNS), Child Care, Child Welfare, Work First, Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Crisis Intervention Program (CIP), Special Assistance, and Refugee Assistance, and other NC FAST integrated programs. It is a highly integrated case management system supporting all service and benefit programs and replaces 19 legacy systems. Working with our prime partner, initially Maximus, and later PCG, NewSouth staff members provide continual IV&V services and periodic reports for all NC FAST system modules and business processes under development.
NC FAST Project scope require a holistic IV&V approach based on industry standards and developed purposely to support public sector programs. NewSouth provides IV&V services for health, social, and nutrition services modernization, and excels in delivering objective assessments and actionable recommendations that build quality into each NC FAST project and stability across the Project as a whole.
Our approach provides superior support specifically for MES projects and the Medicaid Enterprise Certification Lifecycle (MECL) and includes processes, tools, and standards that validate project alignment with CMS’s Seven Conditions and Standards (SCS) and the Medicaid Information Technology Architecture (MITA) 3.0. In addition to standards, PCG built Eclipse IV&V on a set of core values designed to ensure the delivery of high-quality IV&V services.
NewSouth applies our expertise and leverages industry standards (e.g. PMI/PMBOK, IEEE, Agile, CFR), industry best practices, and CMS guidelines (MITA, MECL, certification checklists, etc.) to conduct Continuous Periodic Assessments. NewSouth generates monthly and quarterly reports to DHHS management and CMS management documenting findings and recommendations. NewSouth also conducts certification milestone reviews, and ad hoc assessments and audits throughout the IV&V engagement.
North Carolina Medicaid Enterprise System (MES) IV&V
NewSouth partnered with PCG to provide Independent Verification and Validation (IV&V) services for the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) for the North Carolina’s Medicaid Enterprise System (MES) Project. DHHS is embarking on a transformation of the systems supporting the North Carolina Medicaid program. DHHS’s transformation will require strategic planning and implementation of MES modules in alignment with federal guidance to secure and maintain enhanced funding from the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The NewSouth is a highly qualified firm, experienced in providing IV&V services in support of MES modernization and the Medicaid Enterprise Certification Lifecycle (MECL). NewSouth delivers objective assessments and actionable recommendations that build quality into each module and stability across the full life cycle of the MES Project.
NewSouth’s approach to this project is founded on the practices and tools of our IV&V framework, built for large projects with complex module integrations. Our approach accommodates a variety of development and implementation approaches (e.g., Agile, hybrid Agile, waterfall) and is a collection of integrated processes, templates, checklists, best-in-class documents, and a training/certification program, all based on IEEE 1012 and other industry standards, best practices, and our own extensive experience providing IV&V services. Our approach provides superior support specifically for MES projects and the MECL and includes processes, tools, and standards that validate project alignment with CMS’s Seven Conditions and Standards (SCS) and the Medicaid Information Technology Architecture (MITA) 3.0. In addition to standards, PCG built Eclipse IV&V on a set of core values designed to ensure the delivery of high-quality IV&V services.
While maintaining our independence, NewSouth takes a collaborative, non-adversarial approach to reviewing project activities and artifacts and when communicating findings.
North Carolina’s Year 2000 Independent Verification and Validation Project
NewSouth provided Program/Project Manager of the State of North Carolina’s Year 2000 Independent Verification and Validation (IV&V) Project, a $9 million project to conduct an independent assessment of the State’s 126 most mission critical computer applications. Managed 8 contracting IV&V vendor companies staffing the project with up to 120 professionals concurrently. Completed project on time and under budget.