By Mark Raskino and John Mahoney
Gartner, Inc.
In 2015, CIOs are expected to drive more digital business innovation. In order to achieve this, they must gradually elevate their role, and that of the IT organization, to reposition themselves more as an agenda setter. CIOs can't elevate and educate without strong credibility in leading innovation for the company. In other words, it's time to take some measured public risks to visibly improve the technology-related business innovation capability of the enterprise.
Elevate, Educate, Innovate
To focus their leadership in 2015, we suggest CIOs commit to the following ten resolutions.
1. Redesign Your Business on a Blank Sheet of Paper
Expand your horizons. Think way outside the usual boundaries of your role. Take a very large sheet of blank paper, and gradually sketch out a brand-new version of your business, based on modern digital capabilities.
2. Create a Fantasy Acquisition List
Become a scout for acquisition targets. What kinds of startups and other tech companies are out there that might become relevant to your company?
3. Name Your Crown Jewel System
Do your systems carry the names of vendor software companies even though your team tailors and adapts them to the enterprise? Claim or reclaim ownership of the key differentiating value that technology systems are providing every day. Assert pride in the fleet.
4. Develop Your Digital Executive Presence
Take action to develop your personal presence by declaring and selling your vision and principles with a compelling, executive style.
5. Develop 360-Degree Technology Business Education
Promote comprehensive technology business education and work with, influence and assist the most senior and the most influential people in the enterprise.
6. Hire and Advance Storytellers
Word of mouth still matters. Cultivate storytellers to evangelize digital change in the enterprise.
7. Organize War Games of Catastrophic Scenarios
Utilize the discipline of war gaming as an effective tool to prepare for unknown or rapidly evolving situations that have multiple and uncontrollable drivers.
8. Open Up Your Data Assets
Expose some of your datasets to the outside world on a "come and play" basis. Valuable new ideas, applications, analytical insights and algorithms will emerge.
9. Explore and Exploit the Maker Movement
Employ maker movement capabilities to rapidly create a demonstration or proof of concept. With effective leadership, the approach can also liberate creativity and teamwork.
10. Personally Get in Touch With Newer and Emerging Technologies
Set aside at least 5% of your time to encounter and experience the wide range of newer and emerging technologies and capabilities that might have creative applications in your industry, including 3D printers, containerization, e-commerce microcharging and "disappearing" wearables.
Mark Raskino is a distinguished analyst and Gartner Fellow in the Executive Leadership and Innovation research group. John Mahoney is a vice president and distinguished analyst in the CIO research group at Gartner.
