The Changing Role of Chief Information Officer - Essay Example

Changing Role of CIO Name Institution Name Instructor’s Name Course Name and Code Date Chief Information Officer (CIO) is an individual who manages and is responsible for the computer systems and information technology that are important in supporting enterprise or organizational goals. Many organizations utilize information technology and other information technology systems in accomplishing their day to day activities. In accomplishing organization activities, a CIO position is important. The importance of CIO position has resulted in many organizations giving persons holding the position additional responsibilities and tasks in ensuring the organization continues operating effectively. To some extent, CIOs sits in important boards since their information and experience are important in determining the direction in which an organization should follow. The aim of this essay is to discuss the changing role of CIO. A CIO understands employees within the organization may be suffering from emotional problems and it is important for the CIO to counsel these employees (Jonkers et al. 2006, p. 63). Emotional disequilibrium can come in different forms and usually inhibits the way employees accomplishes a variety of activities (Carla & Robert 2010, p. 108). For example, conflicts are inherent in any environment that champions diversity and equality, and it is important for a CIO to manage such conflicts (McClure & Bertot 2000, p. 7). In such instances, a CIO becomes a conflict resolution person; a task that is commonly done by a manager. Moreover, within the information technology department or industry, most activities are accomplished through use of the computer system or related activities and bring many people together to accomplish the activities (Banker et al. 2011, p. 488). Therefore, the CIO should be able to manage any conflicts and emotional issues that might arise. Moreover, organization should operate effectively and efficiently to fulfill the objectives and goals of the organization (Jonkers et al. 2006, p. 63). An organization has different departments and is supposed to work together due to specific goals and CIO understands this is imperative for team work, effective utilization of power and time management. A CIO should be able to nurture and encourage team work since teamwork is important to the success of an organization (Carla & Robert 2010, p. 116). A homogenous team accomplishes numerous activities based on high quality within a specified time when compared to a team that is not effective. A CIO should appreciate and acknowledge the contribution of teams towards the success of an organization (McClure & Bertot 2000, p. 9). For example, the CIO should be able to delegate some tasks and invite participation in other instances for the organization to achieve a better result (Banker et al. 2011, p. 490). Apart from effectiveness, a CIO should be able to provide employees with appropriate resources (McClure & Bertot 2000, p. 10). A CIO should understand how to source and allocate resources to different employees. In addition, the CIO should be able to budget and allocate the resources to prevent misunderstandings among the employees or to prevent lack of capitalization of available resources. CIO can achieve this through effective communication. Communication ensures each employee understand their position within an organization and clearly defined roles (Carla & Robert 2010, p. 132). Effective communication also reduces chances of conflicts within the workplace, and individual duties are well communicated (Jonkers et al. 2006, p. 64). Therefore, the CIO should be able to create an environment whereby effective communication is encouraged, and communication is employed in addressing divergent views. A CIO should be able to manage and lead. A CIO usually has employees and these employees require direction and assistance on how to accomplish certain tasks and activities (Banker et al. 2011, p. 503). A CIO should manage its employees and also to assist the employees in fulfilling their individual and organizational requirements. A CIO should not dictate the employees but encourage the employees to use their creativity to fulfill assigned duties. A CIO should not be seen as an obstacle to the capacity and capabilities of employees but should be pushing and assisting employees to fulfill organizational requirements. A CIO should be able to organize and implement any strategic objective. A CIO should be able to organize work production and be able to provide resources necessarily, train and equip with appropriate workforce based on desired outcomes (McClure & Bertot 2000, p. 11). A CIO should rive the organization requirements and participate in most activities including operations. The management level should understand operations require team work and understanding of each other (Banker et al. 2011, p. 489). Therefore, the CIO role entails ensuring different members with the organization accomplishes assigned duties and responsibilities. A CIO should be able to plan and be strategic towards fulfilling the obligations of the organization (Stair & Reynolds 2011, p. 43). Apart from been supervisor of technological department, a CIO should understand the mission and vision of the organization. A CIO should be able to define and provide appropriate resources to ensure the organization operates effectively (Carla & Robert 2010, p. 129). For example, a CIO can lobby the management board to improve or upgrade the information technology in the organization highlighting the importance of the equipments and resources towards the success of an organization (Banker et al. 2011, p. 501). In addition, the CIO should be able to plan for the future of the organization; the planning entail allocation of resources and determining a person who should accomplish a given task and the associated time plan (Jonkers et al. 2006, p. 65). Technology is integral to modern organization, and CIO manages technological requirements within the organization (McClure & Bertot 2000, p. 8). However, there are certain activities and tasks that cannot be accomplished by a CIO, and it is important to corporate and share knowledge with other members within the organization to ensure the organization acquires technological resources to sustain the requirements of the organization (Chun & Mooney 2009, p. 331). For example, there are technological equipments that are utilized in an engineering firm that are completely different from information technology (Banker et al. 2011, p. 488). Therefore, the operation manager should exchange ideas with the operations manager to align engineering techniques to information technology (Jonkers et al. 2006, p. 65). A CIO should also plan for business continuity. Threats and interruptions exist that may prevent because from continue. It is important to have a continuity plan to ensure the business continues to operate when disruptions occurs (Carla & Robert 2010, p. 141). A CIO should assist in developing a model and contingency plan whereby if disruptions occur, alternative plans exist. Traditionally, it was the responsibility of organization to formulate business continuity plan but due to reliance on technology, CIO should be involved in formulation and implementation of contingency plans (Rau 2006, p. 41). Therefore, CIO should be involved in ensuring the business continues to operate effectively. A CIO should transform the business to adhere to the competitive environment. Competition is inherent in any business environment and modernization and globalization as resulted in additional competition that is beyond geographical boundaries (Rau 2006, p. 40). A CIO should transform both the organization and the employees to understand environmental changes and devise strategies that may address any future challenges (Stair & Reynolds 2011, p. 98). In addition, transformative organization fulfills the requirements of the customers since it acquires information from the customers and utilizes the information to customize the requirements of the customers. A CIO should be able to work with the financial department. A CIO should understand the position of the financial department in budgeting and utilize the opportunity to seek additional resources to ensure the organization continues to operate effectively (Carla & Robert 2010, p. 121). In addition, understanding the financial strategies and objectives of the organization presents an opportunity to the CIO to align roles and responsibilities to fulfillment of organizational objectives (McClure & Bertot 2000, p. 9). Therefore, the CIO should be able to collaborate and exchange ideas with financial department players towards the success of the organization (Banker et al. 2011, p. 503). A CIO should evaluate the duties and accomplishments of different employees within their responsibility (Chun & Mooney 2009, p. 331). Evaluation is crucial in determining the direction of the organization and determining whether formulate strategies are been implemented as planned (Rau 2006, p. 37). Evaluation also allows the introduction of mitigation strategies in those instances when the objectives or original strategic model is not followed. In addition, evaluation provides a mechanism of determining whether each of the employees accomplishes assigned duties (Carla & Robert 2010, p. 117). The CIO should be able to identify sources of shortcomings and propose solutions to the problems. Hence, a CIO should be able to assign and evaluate tasks and activities and be ready to propose solutions to any shortcoming. Human resource is an important component within an organization. Human resource is a crucial component in sustaining organizational operations; without human resource, an organization cannot operate effectively (Chun & Mooney 2009, p. 329). CIO understands the importance of human resource and should be able to create an environment that attracts and retain employees. The culture within an organization determines the type of employees and whether the employees would appreciate the workings within the organization (Stair & Reynolds 2011, p. 71). For example, motivation should be encouraged so that the talent employees fulfill the operations within an organization (Carla & Robert 2010, p. 133). Each of specific regions within the organization should understand respective subordinates, what they like, what their dislikes are and how they can be motivated (Banker et al. 2011, p. 502). Such information is then forwarded to human resource department and appropriate measures undertaken to retain the employees (Kouns & Minoli 2011, p. 91). Therefore, CIO should understand what employees like and how the employees should be motivated to achieve organizational goals. Apart from management of employees, marketing is inherent to the success of an organization. Each and every member within an organization should understand and appreciate their contribution into the organization based on different capacities. Each employee should be an ambassador of the organization and should continue selling the organization even when they are not at work. A CIO should continue marketing the operations, products, and services of the company through either word of mouth or how the CIO interacts with the rest of the world (Carla & Robert 2010, p. 137). In addition, while in the organization, the CIO should engage and provide ideas to other members especially the marketing department on what should be accomplished and propose strategies to be employed. Engaging with different stakeholders and communicating about organization products and services champion collaborative approach towards the success of an organization (Lane 2011, p. 54). Informed and timely decision making is important to any organization and employees should make timely decisions (Banker et al. 2011, p. 503). Decisions are based on information and employees within an organization should provide the information that they know so that enough information is available for decision making (Chun & Mooney 2009, p. 324). A CIO should create mechanisms and culture that encourages decision making. Effective sharing of information ensures an organization makes the appropriate decision, and even CIO should be involved in decision making within the organization (Carla & Robert 2010, p. 143). A CIO provides important information about information technology, and the information can be utilized in making informed strategic decisions (Rau 2006, p. 36). In conclusion, CIO plays an important role in a business environment, which continues to change. The business environment has continued to be competitive and requiring leaders who are transformative and dynamic. The leaders should understand the importance of making informed decisions based on information obtained from different employees. CIO should play an important role and collaborate with different leaders/managers from different directors in aiding in decision making. In addition, the CIO should contribute in the development of employees and retaining these employees, be ambassadors of the organization, participate in budget making and other important financial requirement, and in ensuring information technology is utilized. Effective utilization of information technology can be a competitive advantage to the organization especially employing strategic applications such as social computing and other technological products that avail information to the decision makers and the decisions made in a timely manner. 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