Chief Information Officer

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The chief information officer ( CIO ) or IT manager (= head of information technology ) generally performs the tasks of strategic and operational management of information technology (IT) in a company .

profile

There are several alternative names in the German-speaking world. In smaller organizations in particular, the terms “IT manager”, “IT manager”, “IT manager” or “IT manager” are used instead of the CIO. In stock corporations , the term "IT management board" is also used as an alternative, provided the CIO is located at management board level.

There is no generally applicable definition of the role profile “Chief Information Officer”. A CIO is particularly responsible for managing the three IT task areas

  • "Business and IT-Vision" (planning),
  • "Design of IT-Architecture" (technology selection together with the IT architect (often also called CTO )),
  • “Delivery of IT Services ” (operation).

He must also set the framework for the values ​​and goals of the IT function in the company and establish a strong relationship between IT and business strategy . Its aim should be to work towards an IT strategy jointly supported by the management level.

Areas of responsibility of a CIO

"Run The Business" (operational functions)

The basic tasks of an IT manager: Ensuring the smooth operation of the IT system and looking after the IT infrastructure. Due to the high level of dependency and the influence of IT on all other areas of the company, ensuring the functionality of the IT system in the company is a fundamental task. This also means that the IT system meets user requirements in terms of quality, service and availability. The CIO must coordinate and manage the use of technical capacities in order to improve operational work processes and service procedures. He is also responsible for promoting the flow of information across companies, as well as the integration, the data sharing in the company. At the same time, it is also important to ensure the data protection of each individual. In general, the security of the entire IT system must be guaranteed at a high level. He is therefore responsible for providing a reliable and secure information technology system so that the business can run efficiently. This is particularly important in order to build trust in IT and create transparency. All of this must be provided by the IT department at a reasonable cost. The first area of ​​responsibility is practically under the motto "run the business". Also according to Rainer Janßen, CIO of Münchner Rück: "The basic expectation is first of all that the store is running."

"Change The Business" (Innovation Management)

The CIO must point out the possibilities of modern ICT for the company and constantly drive innovations forward so that the existing potential for improvement can be exploited. To do this, he has to observe the current developments of potentially relevant technical innovations and then assess their significance for the company. He then has to initiate new technology projects. It is also the job of the IT manager to find the right timing for the introduction of technical innovations. All of this has to be specifically adapted to your own company so that technical innovations can really add value. The correct use of new technologies must then be supported and monitored. He must consistently integrate new, value-adding technologies into the existing company portfolio.

"Engineer The Business" (business efficiency and strategic advice)

The IT manager is jointly responsible for the efficient organization of the company. He analyzes various options for the company on the basis of IT. For example, the intrinsic value of individual areas or processes in the company can be determined or the potential increase in value through new opportunities. In this way, a contribution can be made to “Make or Buy” questions. To do this, a CIO must know the structures and relationships in the company well. He has an advisory role for the management. To do this, he needs a thorough understanding of current market trends. He identifies opportunities for competitive differentiation. This enables future business areas to be identified for the company. The existing sales and distribution channels can, if necessary, be revised or new ones developed. This allows him to identify future technology directions and priorities that are important for increasing the value of the company. The development and adaptation of IT strategies must be carried out in accordance with the corporate strategy. It is also possible that business strategies can only be developed or refined based on new ICT potential. The necessary strategies, information, experience, methods and IT support must be made available for implementation in the respective areas.

"Federal CIO" in Germany and the USA

The German Federal Government Commissioner for Information Technology , also CIO Bund , also uses the abbreviation CIO in his Internet address. The German CIO is Klaus Vitt , State Secretary in the Federal Ministry of the Interior.

The United States has had such a post since 2002; Vivek Kundra was the first incumbent to use the term Federal Chief Information Officer of the United States .

literature

  • Marianne Broadbent, Ellen S. Kitzis (2005): The New CIO Leader - Setting the Agenda and Delivering Results . Harvard Business School Press, ISBN 1-59139-577-1 .
  • W. Brenner, C. Witte (2006): Recipes for Success for CIOs - What makes good information managers . Hanser Verlag, Munich, ISBN 3-446-40633-6 .

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Brenner, Witte 2007, p. 43.
  2. ↑ Brenner, Witte 2007, p. 49.
  3. ↑ http://www.cio.gov 2004, p. 2.
  4. ↑ Ruoff, Susanne (2006): “The role of the Chief Information Officer in Switzerland”, in: swiss innovation Outlook, Zurich, p. 19.
  5. ↑ Brenner, Witte 2007, p. 99.
  6. ↑ See Ruoff, Susanne (2006): "The role of the Chief Information Officer in Switzerland", in: swiss innovation Outlook, Zurich, p. 19.
  7. ↑ See Holtschke, Bernhard / Heier, Hauke ​​/ Hummel, Thomas (2009): “Quo vadis CIO?”, Berlin, p. 399.
  8. ↑ Cf. Heinzl, Armin (2001): "The role of the CIO in the company", in: Wirtschaftsinformatik No. 4/2001, p. 411.
  9. ↑ See Holtschke, Bernhard / Heier, Hauke ​​/ Hummel, Thomas (2009): “Quo vadis CIO?”, Berlin, p. 39.
  10. ↑ Cf. Schreiber, Achim (2008): "CIOs must bring their expertise to bear more in business innovations", Capgemini press release of April 10, 2008.
  11. ^ The State of the CIO 2008, p. 2.
  12. ↑ Holtschke, Bernhard / Heier, Hauke ​​/ Hummel, Thomas (2009): “Quo vadis CIO?”, Berlin, p. 40.
  13. ↑ Ruoff, Susanne (2006): “The role of the Chief Information Officer in Switzerland”, in: swiss innovation Outlook, Zurich, p. 20.
  14. ↑ Internet address of the Federal Government Commissioner for Information Technology: www.CIO.bund.de
  15. ↑ http://www.cio.bund.de/SharedDocs/Kurzmektiven/DE/2015/mitMS/20151001_vitt_mldg.html