{"id":6240,"date":"2013-06-18T09:08:21","date_gmt":"2013-06-18T14:08:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mrc-productivity.com\/blog\/?p=6240"},"modified":"2022-11-22T13:20:27","modified_gmt":"2022-11-22T19:20:27","slug":"7-strategic-cio-priorities-for-2013-2014","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mrc-productivity.com\/blog\/2013\/06\/7-strategic-cio-priorities-for-2013-2014\/","title":{"rendered":"7 strategic CIO priorities for 2013-2014"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Education\"<\/a>Modern IT departments have an amazing opportunity. The speed at which technology currently evolves combined with the rising importance of technology in the business puts IT departments in a prime position to impact their companies more than ever before.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, that\u2019s not happening in most companies.<\/p>\n

In fact, the research firm, Gartner, estimates that, \u201cEnterprises realize on average only 43 percent of technology’s business potential.\u201d<\/p>\n

The big question: How can IT departments drive that number up?<\/p>\n

If IT departments hope to maximize their impact in this day and age, they must focus their attention on the right priorities–which falls squarely on the CIO\u2019s shoulders. So, what key areas must CIOs focus on in the near future? To help you answer that question, I\u2019ve solicited feedback from industry experts and compiled their advice (as well as some of my own) below. Here are a few strategic priorities that CIOs must focus on in the near future. <\/a><\/p>\n

1. Adapt to the \u201cBYO\u201d reality<\/h3>\n
\n\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

photo credit: mikecogh<\/a> via photopin<\/a> cc<\/a><\/i><\/div>\n

In the past, IT controlled the business user\u2019s devices. That has changed. Now, users bring in their own devices (with or without IT\u2019s knowledge), and use them for work-related tasks. The big problem: Controlling these user-owned devices is nearly impossible.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think one priority is to tackle the BYOA and BYOD movement that is going on since it is having an impact on the workplace,\u201d says Andrew Dixon, SVP at Igloo Software<\/span><\/a>. \u201cWe find that once a user brings their own device, they will also bring their own applications, …and this welcomes security concerns for the IT department. This is also becoming an issue with CIOs where their job is to manage workflows and information.\u201d <\/p>\n

\nTips to address this issue:<\/strong>
\nTrying to control BYOD at the device level is a losing battle. You can\u2019t possibly monitor every device that comes into your office. Rather, the key lies in controlling your data. Secure the data on your servers, and then give users access to that data in the form of mobile web apps. This lets them access the data on any device, but doesn\u2019t store any data on the device itself.\n<\/div>\n

2. Learn how to properly apply new technology<\/h3>\n

As technology rapidly evolves, many CIOs feel pressure to apply new technology to their business…just because it\u2019s new. However, the true challenge for CIOs is determining which new technologies help the business, and which to avoid.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs a former CIO in the insurance industry for many years, my experience was that strategic priorities did not tend to shift as much with technology changes as they did (and do) with the potential for applied business value those technologies offer,\u201d says Frank Petersmark, CIO Advocate at X by 2<\/span><\/a>. \u201cPut another way, the rapid changes in technology become the tools and processes CIOs will use to enable their companies to achieve its strategic goals and objectives.\u201d<\/p>\n

Petersmark goes on to explain this concept further: \u201cFor example, technology trends such as Big Data, Cloud services, and mobility all become means to ends in the hands of experienced CIOs whose strategic priorities include customer intimacy, flexible and agile infrastructures, and customer service and responsiveness respectively. Yes, all of these trends are important in their own technological spheres of influence, but they need to be applied in the context of their value to a particular organization and its strategic goals for their markets, customers, and employees. The key for CIOs then as now, is to take these technologies and turn them into something strategic for their organizations.\u201d<\/p>\n

\nTips to address this issue:<\/strong>
\nThe key to capitalizing on new technology involves a deep understanding of the business and the problems business users face. Before jumping into a new technology, CIOs must ask one question: \u201cHow does this help us address our current problems or meet our goals?\u201d\n<\/div>\n

3. Prepare for the cloud (future-proof your architecture)<\/h3>\n
\n\"small_7557181168\"<\/a><\/p>\n

photo credit: FutUndBeidl<\/a> via photopin<\/a> cc<\/a><\/i><\/div>\n

Many companies have no plans for the cloud. They prefer to keep their applications and data in-house and manage everything themselves. Don\u2019t worry, I\u2019m not here to convince you otherwise. <\/p>\n

However, regardless of your plans, you must still prepare your company for the possibility of a future cloud move. After all, who knows what the future holds? Maybe cloud hosts evolve to the point that your company feels comfortable moving your data and applications off-site. Or, maybe you set up an internal cloud on a different database. <\/p>\n

The main point: You must create portable applications today that won\u2019t hold your company back in the future…whatever that may hold.<\/p>\n

\nTips to address this issue:<\/strong>
\nThis boils down to architecture. When building new applications, use open architecture that runs on any database or platform. That way, your applications will run in-house, or in the cloud. More importantly, a move to the cloud (or another database) won\u2019t require new applications.\n<\/div>\n

4. Address \u201cShadow IT\u201d<\/h3>\n

With the rise of readily available cloud-based software and services, many companies face a growing \u201cShadow IT\u201d problem. In short, end users are bypassing the IT department altogether, instead purchasing third party SaaS options to meet their needs.<\/p>\n

\u201cResearch has indicated that origination of demand for IT services from non-IT teams is on the increase,\u201d says Sanjay Maradi, author of the book, \u201cRide The Flat World – How CIOs can help businesses succeed<\/span>\u201d. \u201cThis means other departments such as marketing, finance etc are either beginning or considering engaging independently with IT service providers. If this is not addressed immediately the relevance of CIO would diminish.\u201d<\/p>\n

\nTips to address this issue:<\/strong>
\nMany companies view \u201cShadow IT\u201d as the problem that needs fixing. As I explained in this article<\/span><\/a>, \u201cShadow IT\u201d isn\u2019t the problem…it\u2019s a symptom. When end users aren\u2019t satisfied with the services and support they receive from IT, they look for other options. They key isn\u2019t about controlling \u201cShadow IT\u201d. It\u2019s about your IT department better supporting the business.\n<\/div>\n

5. Adapt to a multi-screen world<\/h3>\n
\n\"small_4773693893\"<\/a><\/p>\n

photo credit: blakespot<\/a> via photopin<\/a> cc<\/a><\/i>\n<\/div>\n

Will smartphones and tablets ever replace the PC? Who knows? However, there\u2019s no denying that mobile is rapidly becoming an integral part of our daily lives. <\/p>\n

Smartphones and tablets have already taken over many tasks formerly performed by PCs. The fact is, businesses must now adapt to a multi-screen world. These days, you have no idea how internal users or customers will access your applications. Maybe they\u2019ll use a PC. Maybe they\u2019ll use a smartphone or tablet. Maybe they\u2019ll use all three. You don\u2019t know, and can\u2019t control it.<\/p>\n

\nTips to address this issue:<\/strong>
\nYou must now develop applications that adapt to the device on which they\u2019re viewed. Some turn to responsive design. Others use the adaptive approach. Multi-screen development is the future, and CIOs cannot afford to ignore this trend any longer.\n<\/div>\n

6. Build for interoperability<\/h3>\n

\u201cInteroperability is a big element of our IT strategy,\u201d says Michael Clapperton, CIO of George Little Management<\/span><\/a>. \u201cCustomers are more demanding on the products they use on the desktop as well as mobile devices, at the end of the day we all have to communicate with one another and systems need to send and receive usable data. The day of closed systems is coming to an end.\u201d<\/p>\n

I couldn\u2019t agree more: Closed applications and systems built on proprietary languages\/frameworks are on the way out. Future development efforts must not only focus on the system or application itself–it must focus on how that system\/application works with others.<\/p>\n

\nTips to address this issue:<\/strong>
\nThis boils down to architecture. At the most basic level, avoid proprietary architecture or frameworks. Rather, make sure your development efforts involve open architecture and frameworks that communicate easily with other systems.\n<\/div>\n

7. Focus on creating value (and eliminating non-core activities)<\/h3>\n

While this may sound like a recurring CIO priority, I believe it\u2019s now more important than ever. As mentioned previously, IT departments must better address the business user\u2019s needs, or risk being bypassed. To do so, CIO\u2019s must eliminate non-essential activities that stand in the way. <\/p>\n

\u201cAnother element we look at is the ability to outsource non core activities and focus on value creation,\u201d explains Clapperton. \u201cI don’t mean sending IT work overseas. The long term benefit of that movement is waning, I am referring to moving as many services to the cloud as possible. I no longer want to own or maintain software or hardware. There is no reason for small or mid sized firms to own equipment for standardized services.\u201d<\/p>\n

\nTips to address this issue:<\/strong>
\nThis priority is fairly self-explanatory. Ask yourself, \u201cDoes this task\/activity improve our company in any way?\u201d If not, figure out if\/how you can eliminate that job and place your focus on mission-critical tasks.\n<\/div>\n

Wrap up<\/h3>\n

I believe that IT departments have an enormous opportunity to really make a difference in their companies. How? Much of this comes down to shifting their focus away from maintaining the status quo, and on to key strategic priorities (like the points listed above). Of course, if you can think of any other priorities to add, I\u2019d love to hear it in the comments.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Modern IT departments have an amazing opportunity. The speed at which technology currently evolves combined with the rising importance of technology in the business puts IT departments in a prime position to impact their companies more than ever before. Unfortunately, that\u2019s not happening in most companies. In fact, the research firm, Gartner, estimates that, \u201cEnterprises …<\/p>\n

7 strategic CIO priorities for 2013-2014<\/span> Read More »<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","slim_seo":{"title":"7 strategic CIO priorities for 2013-2014 - mrc's Cup of Joe Blog","description":"Modern IT departments have an amazing opportunity. The speed at which technology currently evolves combined with the rising importance of technology in the busi"},"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[33],"class_list":["post-6240","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-education","tag-tech-trends"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mrc-productivity.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6240","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mrc-productivity.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mrc-productivity.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mrc-productivity.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mrc-productivity.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6240"}],"version-history":[{"count":56,"href":"https:\/\/www.mrc-productivity.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6240\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14042,"href":"https:\/\/www.mrc-productivity.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6240\/revisions\/14042"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mrc-productivity.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6240"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mrc-productivity.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6240"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mrc-productivity.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6240"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}