The Tech Fee Budgeting Lifecycle

From Proposal to Final Reconciliation

Process at a Glance

The lifecycle consists of three distinct phases. It begins with the detailed creation and approval of the budget, moves to the execution of spending through requisitions, and concludes with the tracking and reconciliation of all expenditures.

1️⃣

Budget Creation

➡️
2️⃣

Requisition

➡️
3️⃣

Spenddown

Phase 1: Budget Creation Workflow

The budget creation phase is a multi-step process involving various stakeholders from teams to cabinet members. It begins with a call for proposals and moves through several layers of review and approval before a final budget is established. Decision loops allow for projects to be sent back for revision, ensuring quality and alignment.

1. Notification & Assignment

An email is sent to Cabinet Members, who then assign the project proposal task to Team Leads.

2. Preparation & Submission

Team Leads prepare the detailed project and submit it for confirmation.

3. Cabinet Confirmation

Cabinet Members review the project. They can either confirm it or send it back to Team Leads for revision.

4. Committee Review

The Committee reviews the confirmed projects. They hold the authority to approve, reject, or send a project back for further review.

5. Final Approval & Conversion

Once approved by the Committee, the project is officially converted into a budget.

6. Budget Finalization

The Budget Department conducts a final review to ensure fiscal accuracy and finalizes the budget.

7. Distribution

The final, approved budget is shared with all relevant Committee and Cabinet members.

Typical Project Review Outcomes

Based on historical data, the committee review stage results in a mix of outcomes. While a majority of projects are approved, a significant portion require revision, highlighting the importance of this quality gate.

Phase 2: Requisition

This phase is the bridge between budgeting and spending. All requisitions must be entered into the CUNY system with two critical pieces of information to ensure proper tracking.

Requisition Entry
Budget Code + Project Number
⬇️
Linked Expenditure in CUNY System

Phase 3: Spenddown

The reconciliation process is automated by leveraging two key systems. Data is extracted from the central CUNY system and imported into a local system for final processing and reporting.

1. Download Spenddown File

from CUNY System

⬇️

2. Upload to Local System

for automated linking

⬇️

3. Display Final Numbers

for project stakeholders

Process Metrics Dashboard

Analyzing the workflow reveals key insights into its efficiency. The following charts illustrate the average time taken for each approval stage, helping to pinpoint where delays occur most frequently.