Information Technology Becoming Less of a Cost Center

Posted by admin on April 23, 2009 under Leadership, Technology |

According to Gary Beach, CIO magazine publisher emeritus, a recent survey of CIOs found that CIOs believe their IT organizations are now viewed by their CEO as more of a business enabler than a cost center.

The survey asked CIOs, on a scale of 1-10 with 1 being “IT is a cost center” and 10 being “IT is a business enabler”, how they believe their CEOs rate their IT organization. The results were a surprising 8.5 - far higher than I would have expected. Is this just wishful thinking? or reality?

I wonder how accurately this result reflects the CEOs true feelings. CIOs long to be viewed as being more strategic; however, I don’t see this reality played out in businesses. There are still issues with technology organizations being too caught up with the glitter of technology to really understand business problems and propose valuable solutions. Now, I’m not saying this is true in every organization - there are some examples of very strong business/IT alignment, but I do not believe the figures are anywhere near the results reflected in this survey.

Where are the results of this question being posed to CEOs? Until we measure their impression and understand their expectations and needs, there will continue to be a gap in alignment. Let’s stop talking about this issue, and start listening to our CEOs.