Role Of Cio

Role of CIO (Chief Information Officer)

Objectives ◆ Describe who CIOs are ◆ Discuss the role of CIO ◆ Why they are important to many organizations ◆ Define what they do and how they do it ◆ Special skills and requirements ◆ Who is hiring CIOs ◆ Issues of importance to CIOs ◆ Educational background and future possibilities

The Domain The effective CIO must be able to move comfortably between: ◆ Information systems ◆ People ◆ Budget

Information Systems ◆ Responsible for the development and implementation of an organization’s IS ◆ Must have knowledge of technology and how it can best serve the organization

People ◆ Responsible for direct supervision of personnel ◆ Expected to be active participant of management team

Budgets ◆ CIO must be able to balance, fulfilling the organization’s information needs within the organization’s budget ◆ must

always have organization’s financial interests in mind when considering IT strategies ◆ must be aware of specific project’s budgetary constraints

Why Hire a CIO? Companies need: ◆ effective and efficient information systems management ◆ someone with information management skills Combination of Managerial & Technical knowledge ◆ an individual with firm knowledge of what information is relevant and essential to an organization’s needs and goals ◆ an individual who can incorporate skills and knowledge into strategic planning.

Who are CIOs? CIOs are information gurus ◆ they know ◆what tools exist to help manage, locate and disseminate information ◆how to determine information needs ◆how to implement strategies to satisfy information needs ◆how to connect people with information resources

Job Requirements ❚ Competency in strategic thinking & leadership ❚ Relationship mgmt with customers, vendors & employees ❚ Project mgmt skills ❚ IT/MIS business problems ❚ E-commerce / E-business ❚ Networks / Telecom knowledge ❚ DR / BCP plans

Functions of CIOs Core functions ◆ Strategist ◆ Advisor ◆ Educator ◆ Manager

Non-core, but important functions ◆ Diplomat ◆ Advocate

Core Functions As Strategist ◆ the

CIO must be able to convert information into knowledge ◆ ability

to utilize resources in order to satisfy information needs and realization of the organization’s goals.

“Design, implement, and oversee a firm’s knowledge infrastructure”

Core Functions, Continued... As Advisor ◆ the

CIOs must use their knowledge of technology and organization goals and information needs to advise the organizations key decisions makers ◆ CEO ◆ VP ◆ Department

Heads

Core Functions, Continued... As Educator ◆

◆

The CIO must share their knowledge of information technology and resources with others Formal and Informal education opportunities instruct others about key information tools ◆ teach others about effective organization and dissemination of information ◆ implement education programs within organization in order to increase awareness and dissemination of information ◆

Core Functions, Continued... As Manager ◆ CIOs

are expected to manage a variety of resources ◆ Information ◆ Technology ◆ Personnel

Non-core Functions As Diplomat ◆ negotiate

and compromise in order to advance strategies and succeed on a managerial team

Non-core Functions, Continued... As Advocate ◆ be

an aggressive advocate for the importance of information and knowledge to an organization. ◆ promote the exchange of information and knowledge among individuals within the organization

What Do They Do? ◆ Some Job descriptions ◆ Specific functions within an organization

Job Descriptions “CIOs are senior executives responsible for all aspects of their companies’ information technology and systems. They direct the use of IT to support the company’s goals”

Job Descriptions, Continued… The CIO “is accountable for directing the information and data integrity of the enterprise and its groups and for all Information Service functions of the enterprise…He or she provides overall management and definition of all computer and communication activities within the enterprise…”

Job Descriptions, Continued… their mission is: “To provide technology, vision and leadership for developing and implementing IT initiatives that create and maintain leadership for the enterprise in a constantly changing and intensely competitive marketplace.”

Job Description, Continued... Reporting Relationship ◆ reports

to a senior functional executive EVP (Executive Vice President), COO (Chief Organizational Officer, CFO (Chief Financial Officer) or CEO (Chief Executive Officer).

Specific Functions ◆ Define information requirements and needs at the strategic, managerial and operational levels of the organization ◆ Design and establish systems that will provide reliable information

Functions, Continued... ◆ Establish specific standards and guidelines for the definition, measurement, use and disposition of information to ensure all segments of the organization are operating within the same framework ◆ Determine the investment to be made in information systems

Functions, Continued... ◆ Provide a rigorous and disciplined framework for evaluating information benefits versus information costs ◆ Anticipate the consequences and the economics of new information technology ◆ Develop regular, organization-wide continuing-education programs in information, information technology and information systems

Functions, Continued... ◆ Identify ownership of information while maintaining confidentiality, security and reliability ◆ Maintain co-operative external relationships with appropriate personnel in relevant external organizations

Professional Practices ◆ Understanding the organization’s mission, goals and specific information needs. ◆ able

to apply understanding to the effective and efficient use of technology

◆ Forecast trends ◆ On-going communication with various levels throughout the organization

Professional Practices, Continued… ◆Leader of information utilization, not a controller of data and technology ◆Focus on long-term strategy, not day to day operations ◆Champion the development and constant monitoring of the strategic information plan ◆Participate as a full member of the executive team

Who Hires CIOs? ◆Information is an important commodity ◆ The ability to access, synthesize and disseminate information is a strategic and competitive asset for many organizations ◆ Government

Agencies

◆ Corporations ◆ Health

Care Institutions

Corporate CIOs Business, in general ◆ economic

development ◆ marketing of ideas ◆ create strategies to improve organization ◆ educate the organizations executives about technology and the possibilities of information

Corporate CIOs, Continued… "CIOs are responsible for increasing shareholder value and setting a company's strategic technology direction. That means helping increase sales, reduce costs or develop products and services."

Keeping Up: Technology ◆ CIO must be able to keep track of technological changes and forecast the effects on their own organization ◆ CIO must know when it is appropriate to invest in new technologies and when it is not

Keeping Up: Organizational Change ◆ the CIO must be aware of organizational trends which may lead to changes in the way the organization does business

Unfulfilled Promises ◆ unrealistic expectations from management can lead to dissatisfaction with CIO ◆ CIO makes promises they can’t keep ◆ lack of communication between CIO and management (CEO)

CIO and CEO

CIO and CEO Relationships ◆Implementation

of strategies requires

CEO support ◆In order for CIO to be as effective as possible, must cultivate advantageous working relationship with CEO ◆“Often the CEO had to support or drive the vision in the end; more important, perhaps, the CEO hired and fired the CIO.”

Education/Career Background ◆ CIOs have various education and career backgrounds ◆ No degree and few programs exist for CIOs “Be sure to integrate solid business and good technical courses”

Education/Career, Continued Possible directions include: ◆ MBA with emphasis on IT/IS ◆ Computer Science Degree ◆ Master’s Degree in Information Science

Summary We have discussed Chief Information Officers ◆ Who

they are ◆ What they do ◆ Where they work ◆ How they become CIOs ◆ Issues facing the profession

THANK YOU