Information Technology

<p>Usually, CIOs are used to rapid changes, new technologies, changes in business needs, policy changes, staff attrition, and impact based on statutory changes. All these are nothing compared to the turbulence that CIOs are witnessing today and would be more challenging every passing day.</p><p>IT leaders must contend with continued pandemic-related disruptions, geopolitical instability, economic volatility, and increased cyber threats &mdash; on top of those usual factors.</p><h2><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Challenges</span></h2><p>CIOs should emphasize cost management, leveraging existing data for an optimal business edge, deploying the right technology, checking investments and returns while aligning/executing modern strategies, and migrating to appropriate infrastructure and applications to the cloud.</p><p>"Transformation, by the word, is simple, by the work is, extensive and exhaustive."</p><p>While performing these, the priority focus should be on only one outcome, and that is "Win."</p><h2><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Specimen Methodology</span>&nbsp;</h2><p><strong>Step 1</strong></p><p>From the business community, form a committee with power users of every business/function who are well-versed in their business processes.</p><p>Obtain the next 3-5 years' business vision, growth/expectation from IT from the functional Heads. &nbsp;</p><p><strong>Step 2</strong></p><p>Identify the gaps/challenges/pain points and list them from the businesses.</p><p><strong>Step 3</strong></p><p>Perform a gap-fit analysis. This study should give an idea of whether existing IT infra would suffice or not. If existing infra is manageable for at least another 1 to 2 years, just go for patching existing gaps/apps and adding a few hardware here and there.</p><p>In this approach, you would get another two years to plan a big migration and can carry forward your budgets for the BigShow.</p><p><strong>Step 4</strong></p><p>Identify the new technologies which would hold good with current and future trends. Have an HR plan aligned with your project plans, including key resources, training, and upskilling the existing workforce.</p><p><strong>Step 5</strong></p><p>Keep measuring and reviewing at regular intervals for IT and business functions' effectiveness.</p><p>Draw a modular and pluggable approach to keep the business performing at optimum, budget utilization at the right time, lean but most effective IT team, and technology investments.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><em>This article was contributed by our expert <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/krishnamurthy-a-s-50940853/">Ananthraman Krishnamurthy</a></em></span></p><p>&nbsp;</p><h3><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Frequently Asked Questions Answered by Ananthraman Krishnamurthy &nbsp;</span></h3><h2><span style="font-size: 12pt;">1. What are the important expectations from a CIO?</span></h2><p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Often CIOs assume the role of CTOs and forget the important function of "Tech-Business Alignment."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Thus CIO is expected to maximize value for the Business by leveraging the right technology, re-engineering business processes wherever necessary, business process alignment with application processes, continuous measurement, and application of change management.</span></p><h2><span style="font-size: 12pt;">2. What should a CIO focus on during Transformation?</span></h2><p>Business process alignment, right, and optimal technology usage, data management, budget control, and resource management.</p><h2><span style="font-size: 12pt;">3. What are some aspects to consider in implementing a technology?</span></h2><p>Security, cyberthreats, historical data management, right fitment to business needs, sustainability for at least five years, scalability, usability over the cloud, and availability of skills.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>