The Life of a CIO

What exactly is a CIO and what do they do?

What actually is a CIO and what are their tasks? How can they ensure future-driven IT while keeping operations running and what are CDOs, CTOs and CISOs?

What is a CIO?

A Chief Information Officer (CIO) generally performs tasks of strategic and operational management of information technology (IT) in a company. The CIO fulfills a cross-sectional task and should be able to negotiate at eye level with the board members, e.g., CEO or CFO [1].

What is his Job?

The basic tasks of an IT manager is to ensure the operation of the IT systems and supporting the IT infrastructure. Due to the high level of dependency and the influence of IT on all other areas of the company, ensuring the functionality of the IT system in the company is considered a fundamental task. This also includes ensuring that the IT system meets the requirements of users in terms of quality, security, service and availability [2]. For a company that, for example, mainly generates sales via an online store, the focus should be on this service and smooth operation. If this were to fail, this would be accompanied by a loss of sales.

The CIO must also think of the possibilities to modernize his IT. To do this, they must monitor current developments in potentially relevant technical innovations and then assess their significance for the company. They must then provide the impetus for new technology projects.[3] It is also the IT manager’s job to find the right timing for the introduction of technical innovations. All of this must be specifically adapted to one’s own company so that technical innovations can actually be used in a way that adds value. In addition to business-generating technologies, of course, cost-saving can often be the goal. One example is cost reduction through cloud services.

In addition to these tasks, however, it will always be the CIO’s job to speak at eye level with the CEO, COO or CFO. Here, it is important that an IT strategy goes hand in hand with the business strategy — the so-called IT and business alignment. So are current IT strategies and projects focused on the business strategy? IT has the task here of advancing the business through innovation, but can also be the driver of such developments. To do this, a CIO must have a good understanding of the structures and interrelationships within the company. He thus has an advisory function for the management. To do this, he needs extensive understanding of current market trends. He identifies opportunities for competitive differentiation.

What is the connection to a CTO, CDO and CISO?

A CIO often works closely with a CTO (Chief Technology Officer, the CDO (Chief Digital Officer) and the CISO (Chief Information and Security Officer) due to their proximity to the business units. In small companies, the CIO may even (partially) take over these tasks. Models where the roles of CTO, CDO or CISO work alongside the CIO are also common.

Summary

Here, in brief, the tasks of the CIO have been further described. The role will increasingly be characterized by helping to shape IT and the business and make them fit for the future. The administration and operation of IT are still important but are no longer sufficient for modern IT.

Sources and Further Readings

[1] manager Magazin, Was bitte ist ein CIO? (2003)

[2] Walter Brenner, Christop Witte, Erfolgsrezepte für CIOs: Was gute Informationsmanager ausmacht (2006)S. 43.

[3] Bernhard Holtschke, Hauke Heier, Thomas Hummel, Quo vadis CIO?(2009), S. 399.