CIOs not as important as they think they are

CIOs may not be as influential as they think they are, with new research showing a significant gap between how CIOs see their own role in the business and how the CEO and other non-IT execs see CIOs.

The Gartner report, Improving the CEO's view of the CIO, surveyed 462 non-IT executives and found that CIOs rank next to last among eight senior executive positions, just ahead of the HR director, when it comes to their significance in setting strategic direction for the business.

The view of CIOs is very different. Gartner found in its annual global CIO survey that over 80 per cent feel they are trusted and able to influence their peers in the boardroom.

Dave Aron, research director in the Gartner Executive Programme and author of the report, told silicon.com there is a stark contrast in the perception of boardroom influence.

"The CIOs really believe they are there," he said.

The main cause of the gap between CEOs and CIOs is business priorities, according to the report. It found that while CEOs are now looking to the economic upturn and focusing on revenue and growth, many CIOs have security, cost and privacy at the top of their agenda.

"To be credible in the boardroom and with the CEO the CIOs need to align their discussions with the business priorities," said Aron.

The report also shows a split emerging between the old-style IT leader and a new breed of CIOs. Aron said the role of chief process officer (CPO) is emerging.

"There is the opportunity for CIOs with that cross-functional view to become the business-process champion," he said.

But he admitted this will not be appropriate for every business and that for many, a traditional operational delivery focused CIO or IT director is the right choice.

"We're not saying everyone should be. But we are saying that having the CIO with a seat at the top table co-creating strategy does add value more than a functional leader wholly focused on delivering IS strategy," he said. "There is a definite spread between the CIOs at the bottom talking about tactical stuff whereas at the top a small number of CIOs are evolving into the CPO role developing business strategy."

The Gartner report claims CIOs are more practical and operational instead of seeing the big picture; reluctant to operate outside their comfort zone and take risks; and conservative. Despite that, Gartner claims the future could be bright for CIOs who take this opportunity and predicts that more IT leaders will emerge as CEOs in the next few years. The research cites examples of former "super-CIOs" such as Michael Capellas, now chairman and CEO of MCI, and Bob Martin in his time at Wal-Mart.