New CIO survey shows IT on the march

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CIO Magazine has a new issue entitled “The State of The CIO ’06.” Oddly, while it is already on my desk the issue has not made it to their web site yet.

 

I have a special interest in the importance of the CIO job. I have served as both a CIO and a CTO and have appeared on the CNN program, Global Office, and in CFO Magazine on the subject. At the time the discussion focused on what seemed to be the shrinking prestige and influence of the CIO, and by extension, end-user’s belief in technology as a strategic differentiator.

 

The magazine reports good news. A majority of IT executives say they will increase staff this year. CIOs also cite a large backlog of technology projects as their number one problem. This backlog is important not only for IT but for broader technology industry. It is true that the backlog stems in part from the shelving and delaying of projects during the post-bubble recovery, the economic recessions in Europe and The U.S. and as a response to the 9/11 atrocities. More importantly, however, I believe the backlog is reflective of an increased optimism in the opportunity for today’s technology to improve one’s business.

 

What I think is most important about the magazine’s surveys is that the CIO position seems to be regaining some visibility and authority. I have engaged in this debate over and over again. Say what you like, you will never convince me that reporting to anyone but the CEO is a good idea. This year the magazine reports a (small) reversal of the trend of the CIO reporting to CFOs with an increase in IT chief’s reporting to the CEO.

 

The magazine also reports more CIO mobility. There is a small but vital trend of CIOs heading businesses, business units and moving into operations. This broadening of career paths will help IT to attract and retain the very top people and will serve to spread technology savvy throughout corner offices and board rooms. This, in turn, will help organizations better and more broadly evaluate and implement technology, adding greater value with less risk.