The CIO position is changing in response to a hyper-competitive business market, in which smart organizations increasingly turn to technology and business process innovation to gain competitive advantage.

According to a study conducted by META Group, a leading provider of information technology (IT) research, leading chief information officers (CIOs) are playing dramatically more influential business roles than they have at any time in the past. Study findings reveal a new class of CIOs — executives that recognize the new demands of the position and are committed to being enterprise change agents.

"Savvy CIOs have demonstrated their transformational value to senior management during the past three years, even while operating during a down economy," said META Group's Graham Waller. "They have forged collaborative relationships with their business peers based on their ability to make hard decisions within the ITO and bring productivity insight into the business organization. In short, CIOs have answered the call to become more business-savvy."

The study, entitled "The CIO As Enterprise Change Agent", surveyed over 100 senior IT respondents in order to assess the evolving role of the CIO. Findings underscored the new CIO business mandate. Forty-seven percent of those surveyed indicated that they have broadened their responsibilities beyond the traditional CIO-only role to absorb some form of business responsibility. In fact, many of those now occupying the CIO position (35%) have come to the role of senior IT decision maker with a business background. However, whether from a business or IT background, the majority of CIOs concur that over the next two years, the aspect of their role anticipated to grow most in importance is that of being a change agent.

The study noted that the most critical success factor for the CIO to operate effectively as a change agent is collaborative executive leadership. While it is important that CIOs exhibit leadership authenticity in the change-agent role, respondents stressed that transformation success will not be realized without commensurate leadership from key business executives. In addition to serving as an effective catalyst for change, CIOs must also play a key role in seamlessly integrating the key components of business transformation: technology, processes, and people.

"Leading CIOs are now entering an era filled with great promise, whereby there is a growing opportunity to partner closely with the business and drive transformational capabilities," continued Waller. "However, the role of the change agent is dense with both opportunity and risk. To mitigate risk, CIOs must ensure that success factors are entrenched in the organization before spearheading change initiatives. Perhaps more important, smart CIOs will also prepare for and guard against transformation barriers."

Study respondents repeatedly cited three primary obstacles to transformational success: an internal culture resistant to change, organizational politics, and the existence of too many conflicting priorities. Many CIOs also cited the relative immaturity of business process and the people aspects of change management as significant hurdles. Indeed, 79% of those surveyed indicated that they will be targeting business process capabilities as a focal point for improvement over the next two years.

When you're ready to embrace change, count on ISTCL. We can support your organization through transformation. Our experienced, professional business consultants can help you to audit your current business processes, streamline IT systems, achieve buy-in, manage risks, and encourage a culture that drives transformation and growth.

Contact ISTCL for more information.

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