With the advent of cloud computing and various other digital innovations, the role of chief information officers (CIOs) has changed greatly. Some business leaders and IT experts have stated that such innovations have limited the control of CIOs in the IT sector. Many CIOs are planning to leave the tech sector in the wake of the modern business transition. They have begun to associate themselves with marketing, sales, and other core business operations. In his article for Wall Street Journal, Angus Loten talks about the modern business transition and how it has affected the CIOs.
Is Tech Business Transition a Problem for CIOs?
Loten shares that many businesses have accepted the much-resisted idea of segregated IT processes for each business division. It has reduced the authority of CIOs in overall tech decision-making. In addition, it has made digital integration and business transition more complex.
However, CIOs usually focus on more significant digital roles, such as data governance and technological adaptability. But when it comes to the decentralized digital models across different departments, the CIO’s role is reduced to that of an advisor.
How CIOs Are Coping
John Hill, CIO at Carhartt Inc., states that much of his CIO responsibilities have faded over time due to changes in technical priorities. He primarily focuses on system integration, digital security, and data strategy. Several experts believe that decentralized digital operations are beneficial in general because you can customize them without impacting other sectors.
Every division can assess the business transition per their objectives and make the necessary digital changes. Anil Bhatt, global CIO at Anthem Inc., mentions that the responsibilities of CIOs and IT departments have become more generic. They have to “set and drive the company’s overall enterprise-tech strategy.” Besides, they also need to address security concerns and establish IT roadmaps that the company should follow collectively.
Click on the link to read the original article:
https://www.wsj.com/articles/cio-role-in-flux-as-businesses-embrace-tech-11645705801
