Cloud Computing Does Not Make the CIO Irrelevant
In a recent article published on InfoWorld, Adopt and perish: The CIO’s cloud dilemma, David Linthicum argues that CIOs who succeed at implementing cloud technologies may eliminate the justification for a CIO.
He cites a report from Getronics which found that 17 percent of corporate CFOs believe the position of the CIO will disappear from the corporate landscape in the next five years. He quotes Eric Savitz from Forbes who states “The cloud is at the heart of this bold projection, because the technology has dramatically changed the way organizations invest in and consume technology.”
The article makes a reasonable argument that resisting cloud technologies may risk the role of the CIO in the enterprise, but fails to make any coherent argument in support of his main assertion: that cloud technologies will make the role of CIO irrelevant.
To understand why Mr. Linthicum is wrong, one must understand the role of the CIO in the enterprise. These are not people who manage the day-to-day operation of IT infrastructure. A relevant CIO an advocate for making technology–whether on premise or cloud-based–a strategic driver for the company’s success, not just a cost center to be managed. CIOs drive technology integration, application development, and service strategy and management, and should have a seat at the table for major business decisions.
The adoption of cloud technologies removes none of these requirements from the enterprise. If not the CIO, who else has the expertise to drive technology enablement for the company. If anything, the move to cloud computing strengthens the role of the CIO. Managing the strategies that make for successful cloud integration a deeper understanding of the role of technology and the business requirements of the company.
Cloud computing is not a replacement for savvy technology decision making, it is just a different platform which CIOs and other top IT leadership use to drive business success through information technology.
Cloud computing does not make the CIO irrelevant. On the contrary, the Cloud Computing, Data Warehousing, ect., all expand the role.
Agree with you Steve - and would add that cloud computing will cause the CIO's role to change and require them to hire those with relevant skills or seek out those technical skills that are required to cope and adapt with these changes.
Great article Steve. I think CIOs will continue to be a key role for organizations as cloud service continue to gain prominence. The CIO will need to evaluate and size cloud offerings to ensure the organization is getting what they expect as well as measure success against objectives.