For the modern CIO, obstacles are not in short supply \u2013 and after a volatile 2020, it is more important than ever to prepare for uncertainty in 2021 and beyond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
CIOs have always faced challenges, but today\u2019s IT leaders face more difficult obstacles from a variety of directions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For instance:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As we\u2019ll discover below, factors such as these can lead to a number of challenges for the modern CIO.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here are seven of the most important challenges and problems that CIOs must face in the coming months and years \u2013 starting today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The role of the CIO is changing quickly. As many research firms have noted, CIOs are becoming increasingly responsible for business outcomes and revenue growth<\/a> as well as IT operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are many \u201ctactical\u201d recommendations that can help CIOs adjust to their new role, such as studying and practicing leadership skills in addition to learning how to manage change. <\/p>\n\n\n\n However, first and foremost, experienced CIOs must accept the fact that their job is changing. Once they do, it will be easier to reimagine their job and their relationship with the organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since CIOs must become business leaders who oversee cross-departmental initiatives, it is important to build strong relationships with other executives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gartner suggests that CIOs begin having constructive conversations with:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fostering strong relationships will be essential for implementing successful business initiatives in the long run.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Change is the only constant in today\u2019s fast-moving economy, and this will remain true for years to come, according to many analysts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Accenture, for instance, has gone so far as to name the post-COVID era \u201cThe Never Normal.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since CIOs will be key to driving organizational change, it is important to learn how to manage that change effectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Studying principles of change management<\/a> and change<\/a> models<\/a> can be a good place to start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The digital skills gap is widening fast, which can be problematic for innovative, forward-thinking businesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n PwC<\/a> found that 79% of CEOs rank the availability of key skills as one of their top three concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The lack of essential skills can result in:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since so many of today\u2019s key workplace skills revolve around digital technology, CIOs must step in to build effective employee onboarding<\/a>, training, and development programs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To thrive in the digital economy, organizations must have an agile, adaptable corporate culture. <\/p>\n\n\n\n2. Establishing a new relationship with the C-suite<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3. Managing organizational change<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
4. Maintaining a digitally savvy workforce<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
5. Leading organizational culture change<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n