CIO and IT management

[progga34-612]

CIO and IT management

What is a CIO?

Chief information officer (CIO) is an executive job title commonly given to the person at an enterprise in charge of information technology (IT) strategy and the computer systems required to support the organization's unique objectives and goals.

What does a CIO do?

In the mid-1980s, CIOs were primarily focused on the more technical projects. Today, CIOs are viewed as key contributors to formulating organizational goals as the storage, transmittal and analysis of electronic information grows in importance across industries. As a result of their increased strategic responsibilities, CIOs in large organizations typically delegate the oversight of day-to-day IT operations to a technology deputy and rely on a team of specialists to manage specific areas of IT. The role of the CIO continues to rapidly evolve as organizations become more digital.
The chief information officer at one organization could have an entirely different set of responsibilities from the CIO down the street. According to SearchCIO, a very high-level definition describes CIO as "a job title commonly given to the person in an enterprise responsible for the information technology and computer systems that support enterprise goals." It is the CIO's job to innovate, collaborate, balance the IT budget and motivate IT staff.
What hard skills does an effective CIO need to have?
Hard skills are specific, teachable abilities that may be required to do a certain job. In job a posting, for example, a hiring company might specify that applicants must be proficient with software applications, be able to do basic math calculations, know how to use content management systems, etc. CIO job postings often ask that applicants have hard skills such as:
•   Proficiency in establishing IT services framework and IT security policies
•   Ability to recruit and direct IT staff members
•   Project management and budget management skills
•   Aptitude for customer engagement analysis
•   Mastery at establishing strategic service provider partnerships
How is the role of the CIO changing?
•   As new technologies emerge and businesses increasingly enter into the digital era, IT strategies evolve and companies demand that senior IT leaders possess skills that go beyond traditional technology management. In SearchCIO's 2012 Role of the CIO survey, respondents suggested IT leaders must possess legal expertise, corporate financial skills, data management skills, vendor and partner management, project management, and expertise in compliance and security. These skills have worked their way into CIO job description postings across industries.
What technologies and trends should CIOs pay attention to?
•   SearchCIO expert NielNickolaisen takes several IT trends very seriously. The first is the emergence of a services-centric application architecture, replacing the large, monolithic enterprise application. Another trend that can't be ignored is the ever-quickening pace of technology and business change. Nickolaisen suggests the new currency in IT is speed and that CIOs should focus on innovation for competitive advantage.


Link:https://whatis.techtarget.com/reference/Roles-and-responsibilities-guide-What-does-a-CIO-do