Introduction
The chief information technology officer of the corporation is the contractor of the highest rank, responsible for the acquisition and implementation of new technologies, information resources management. The main task of IT managers is to develop strategies and tactics for the IT-development of a company. Director of IT realizes internal IT projects of the organization, coordinates the establishment of the project, technical documentation, and internal regulations as well as the development, implementation, and maintenance of information security policy.
Two role aspects relevant to CIO
Today in the world of business, the CIO is dynamic, always evolving the role of the leader. Over recent years, the market structure of corporations and the channels of information have changed. Nowadays, the task of the CIO is changing from tactical to strategic. CIO participates mostly in long-term strategic planning of the company’s life. The primary task of the IT manager has transformed from a purely technical profession, management of information, to the broader knowledge management.
Today information technology is the most dynamic area of the companies’ activity; also, the innovation provides the basis for continued success. The creation of more complex applications generates demand for more powerful machines. Increasingly, it creates demand for networking technologies. The network, in turn, changes the lifestyle and work of people, and even the functioning of corporations and markets.
Today’s CIO must not only understand these relationships but also be one step ahead, to anticipate these changes. The changing of the CIO’s role has only just begun. Those companies that will be first to catch the evolution of the CIO role from the specialist processing the information to an expert managing the information will receive a huge competitive advantage over those companies whose executives do not understand the primary role of the CIO.
Today, IT technologies are in need of creative innovations. Thus, one of the relevant roles of CIO is the role of Insightful Visionary (The New Voice of the CIO 2009). An efficient IT manager should always be in a creative search for new advanced ideas and projects. The CIO has to implement these innovations in the most efficient way. For this purpose, the role of Collaborative Business leaders is of vital importance for the IT-development of the corporation (The New Voice of the CIO 2009).
Two role aspects that are not so relevant based on own context and experience
The role of Relentless Cost Cutter is irrelevant today. A project with a higher value can compete with the cheaper one if it provides additional benefits (The Essential CIO 2011). It is more profitable to invest in more expensive projects if they are proportionally bringing high benefits to the customer and sponsor. The good value of the project (investment) should include rational and emotional components.
Rational investors pay attention to the financial return (ROI), and emotions can appreciate more irrational things like prestige, fashion, and “wow-factor.” The role of the Able Pragmatist is not so relevant nowadays as it was replaced with the role of Collaborative Business Leader, whose primary function is to establish collaboration between stakeholders aimed at the sound decision-making on the most appropriate methods of the implementation of innovation (The Essential CIO 2011).
Conclusion
As a rule, corporations mostly need an active manager with the ability to build effective business relationships. He or she should be customer-oriented; it is almost the most important characteristic feature of an effective IT manager, proactive and ready to offer new business solutions. The fulfillment of these requirements would determine the role and status of the CIO in the company.
Reference List
The Essential CIO. 2011. Web.
The New Voice of the CIO: Insights from the Global Chief Information Officer Study. 2009. Web.