CIOs have been dealing with change and new technologies for decades. It's probably fair to say that the mention of 'new technology' barely registers on a seasoned CIO's attention. But the current wave of tech innovation may offer valid reason to pay attention to changes in technology and the ways it is being used by enterprises to change their competitive positions in increasingly crowded markets.
Gartner's "Taming the Digital Dragon: The 2014 CIO Agenda" leads off with this quote: "2014 will be a year of dual goals: responding to ongoing needs for efficiency and growth, but also shifting to exploit a fundamentally different, digital paradigm. Ignoring either of these is not an option." The report identifies the current technological age as the third era of enterprise IT. I'm not certain we are seeing the coming of a new age, but certainly many things have changed over the last 10 years.
One of the main challenges facing CIOs is the sheer volume of innovation coming through the doors of the enterprise. Much of that technology is finding its way inside as consumers in the form of employees, discover new ways to get their work done with tools they find on their own. This shadow IT effect means CIOs are no longer privy to leading edge tech and able to make their own decisions regarding fit and viability of a single opportunity. Rather, they are surprised on a daily basis by multiple situations already in use that pose possible threats to data integrity and security.
Gartner's research found that more than half (51%) of the CIOs interviewed are concerned the influx of digital change is coming at them faster than they can handle it. And 42% say they don't have the talent they need in order to face this challenge. Does this intensive blast of digital innovation call for a different approach to the role of the CIO? I see the role changing considerably while the acronym stays the same. CIO is still Chief Information Officer, but the Information is different.
In addition to the management of corporate data, the Information that needs to be managed now includes knowledge and instruction about technology itself, how it can and should be leveraged, and how those using any new tech should make decisions for themselves and their roles in the company. It has become impossible for any one individual to understand and control the thousands of technological options available. The only viable option is to crowdsource the task to an educated and responsible workforce.
How are you managing the onslaught?
Scott Koegler practiced IT as a CIO for 15 years. He also has more than 20 years experience as a technology journalist covering topics ranging from software and services through business strategy.