How to manage IT in a growing business: Appointing a CIO

Although vendor-written, this contributed piece does not promote a product or service and has been edited and approved by Network World editors.

Timing is everything when hiring a CIO. The primary function of a CIO is to be forward-looking for developing and implementing IT initiatives, but it can be difficult for a CIO to fulfill this duty if he or she is brought in too late and provided with inadequate technologies and processes. The earlier a company invests in a CIO, the earlier everyone can be in tune with what will make the business most efficient. But most companies don’t know when it’s too early and when it’s too late.

In the first article of this three-part series on the IT Lifecycle, I discussed recommendations for when to hire an IT consultant, and what to consider when doing so. During this process, it’s important to recognize when a CIO will be a valuable addition. In this second part of the series, I will continue to follow Joe’s Widget Shop, a hypothetical software development company, as they move onto the next stage in the IT lifecycle. I’ll provide you with insight on what to look for when appointing a CIO and what a strong CIO embodies.

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