The Evolving Role of the IT Organization
Does the CIO Report to the CEO?
Many CIOs have finally gained that long-cherished seat at the executive management table. Yes: 71%, No: 29%
Role of IT: The CIO View
The majority of CIOs believe they exercise a fair amount of control. IT provides all required services to the business: 79%, IT’s role won’t change in five years: 43%, IT is fundamental to the organization’s success: 25%, Primary role of IT: drive new business initiatives: 10%, Primary role of IT: develop new and innovative services: 7%
The Role of IT: The Non-CIO View
IT professionals who are not a CIO have a more pessimistic view., IT provides all required services to the business: 56%, IT is fundamental to the organization’s success: 41%, IT’s role won’t change in five years: 24%, Primary role of IT: drive new business initiatives: 15%, Primary role of IT: develop new and innovative services: 12%
Control of the IT Budget
During the next three years the majority of respondents expect line of business to exercise more control over IT budgets. Controlled by IT today: 65%, Controlled by line of business today: 35%, Controlled by IT in three years: 56%, Controlled by line of business in three years: 44%
What IT Does for the Business
Clearly a shift is under way in terms of IT’s responsibilities. IT provides all required apps and services for the business on premise and in the cloud: 61%, IT acts as service broker and advises the business: 29%, IT acts as a consultant to the business but not the sourcing: 10%
Frequency of Use of IT Management Tools
Most of the focus in terms of frequently used IT tools appears to be on tactical issues. Scenario planning and what-if analysis: 53%, Assessing current investments and deployments: 39%, Evaluating key performance metrics: 37%, Sharing key performance metrics with the business: 31%, Looking at the impact of shifts in investments: 27%
Role of IT in Five Years
Five years from now, the IT department will exercise more indirect control. Some IT functions will move to other departments but IT will be its own unit: 34%, Stay the same as today: 28%, Most IT functions will move to other departments but IT will be its own unit: 17%, All IT functions will be incorporated into line of business: 13%, All IT functions will be outsourced: 8%
Primary Technical Tasks for IT Department
Many of the tactical functions that IT mostly focuses on today will be reduced in three years. Today; Three Years from Now, Ensuring critical data is secure: 50%, 43%, Maintaining organization’s infrastructure and apps: 41%, 35%, Providing technology support to employees: 40%, 32%, Fixing problems as and when they arrive: 34%, 34%
Primary Business Role of the IT Department
It will take some time but IT organizations see themselves becoming more strategic. Today, Three Years from Now, Strategic business partner and advisor: 30%, 35%, Improving customer experience: 29%, 35%, Broker for IT services: 20%, 17%, Driver of new business initiatives: 14%, 25%, Developer of innovative products and services: 11%, 17%
How IT Budget Gets Allocated
There’s a concerted effort to drive maintenance as percentage of the IT budget lower. Today, Three Years from Now, New services: 49%, 59%, Maintenance: 51%, 41%
Most Impactful Technologies
With the exception of virtualization, what IT obsesses about today will stay largely the same. Today, Three Years from Now, Cloud computing: 51%, 54%, Mobile computing: 34%, 40%, Big data: 31%, 37%, Business intelligence and analytics: 31%, 25%, Social media: 28%, 27%, Virtualization: 26%, 18%
IT Response to Emerging Technologies
Absorbing new technologies is usually more about process than products. Provide more training: 45%, Align closer to the business: 43%, Strengthen relationship with executive management: 42%, Hire new people: 41%, Shift budget from maintenance to new initiatives: 31%, Educate executive management: 27%
