CIOs are not strategic enough, research shows

Three quarters say they have no strategic infuence within their businesses

Over half of CIOs consider themselves as only managers of people

Chief information officers (CIOs) are still failing to expand their role and influence the businesses they work in, according to a survey published today.

The survey by IT services firm Atos Origin says three in four (76 per cent) CIOs surveyed do not consider themselves a 'strategic influencer' within their business.

Over half (56 per cent) of CIOs described themselves simply as a 'manager of IT and of outsourced IT suppliers', indicating that they take the most basic approach to IT's involvement in the business.

'Many CIOs find their time is preoccupied with managing multiple IT suppliers and relationships, leaving them little time to focus on developing their role within the business,' said John Stevenson, chief operating officer, Atos Origin.

'This often impacts the ability of the IT department to provide innovative solutions that enable the company to be more agile and, ultimately, increase their business advantage,' he said.

CIOs believe they are hampered by unrealistic business objectives that are difficult to fulfill with ageing legacy systems and a lack of budget. An absence of business interest in IT and staff shortages are also cited as problems.

When asked what would help them do their job more effectively, 59 per cent of CIOs highlight the need for an 'increased interest and involvement of the business in IT strategy and planning'; 54 per cent required more IT budget; and 41 per cent a 'better understanding of business drivers'.

Stevenson says CIOs need to actively forge a stronger cohesion between business objectives and IT objectives.

'External suppliers can support this, by taking on a partner role rather than that of a traditional IT supplier, enabling CIOs to focus on business-drivers and IT agility,' he said.