A CIO provides strategic advice as a senior leader planning the technology to fit the organization’s objectives. A CIO brings a kind of “Technical MBA” to integrate business solutions, budget, return on investment, risk and a full understanding of technology options.
Imagine building a house without architectural planning and design. You wouldn’t choose a kitchen sink or bathtub until you knew space requirements and budget for these fixtures.
- Improved operations or efficiencies: better member tracking, databases, recruiting, HR, or compliance on data protection to avoid stiff regulatory penalties
- Coordinated communications: internet, email, voicemail, interoffice, intra-office
- Reduced information costs & preventable technology issues
- Selection of technology: software, hardware, networks or services to meet business objectives
- Budget planning to advise business managers so they can make good choices in technology without relying on reactive decision-making or narrowly-focused solutions from the ‘geeks’
- Offers guidance to the internal staff on planning, initiatives or installation projects
- Evaluate projects and provide rate of return and other metrics
- Review proposals from technology vendors and negotiate contract terms
It’s the same criteria for Informational Technology. Smart organizations plan their business objectives first with their CIO choosing a technology plan to fit those objectives.