The CIO’s spectrum of influence on business is evolving. Today, many CIOs
are “mostly operational” – functioning as top-level managers supporting
day-to-day, cost-centered IT assets as well as overseeing the technical staff
that keeps a business running. However, there is an evolution taking place
as progressive executive teams recognize opportunities to leverage IT
investments as enablers of business transformation. This is requiring CIOs
to have a higher level of influence on how businesses change. It is a
unique role that can be best served by a visionary, strategic CIO leader.
CIOs are increasingly being asked to participate in long-term strategic
business transformation initiatives, while concurrently managing the IT
organization and systems that support ongoing business operations.
Certainly, a CIO who is exclusively preoccupied with operational platforms
and process improvements might not foresee business-changing opportunities inspired by strategic
technology innovations. As the evolving CIO role becomes more strategic, with innovation and
transformation taking center stage, we see a new generation of technology executives at the helm.