Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
Nontransform CIO profile across the three activity-based dimensions (i.e., convey the
relevance of IT, manage critical relationships, and implement IT-based solutions). In contrast,
11 activities emerged as critical in the Transform CIO profile.
Convey the Relevance of IT Activities
None of the seven convey the relevance of IT activities emerged as critical in the
Nontransform CIO profile. On the other hand, two activities related to educating agency
constituents as to the potential value of IT emerged as critical in the Transform CIO profile:
•
Promote IT as an agent of agency transformation
•
Disseminate information about the benefits and costs of IT-based change
These two activities are associated with providing intangible support and providing
tangible support for IT initiatives, respectively.
The support role of IT that is associated with the Nontransform IT visions may explain
why this CIO group does not place as much emphasis on actively educating constituents of
the agency regarding the potential of IT-based initiatives. In contrast, perhaps the more
innovative application of IT that is associated with the Transform IT vision explains why two
such activities emerged as critical in the Transform CIO's profile.
Manage Critical Relationships Activities
None of the manage critical relationships activities emerged as critical in the Nontransform
CIO profile. On the other hand, four of the 10 activities related to lobbying for the requisite
resources for IT-based initiatives emerged as critical in the Transform CIO profile:
•
Actively participate in top-management decision making
•
Speak the language of managers from other program areas
•
Stay abreast of developments in the program areas of other managers
•
Explain to users that their feedback is critical to expanding the benefits of their systems
The first three relate to the management of relationships with managers outside the IT
unit through direct interaction and by keeping current with developments in their program
areas. The fourth relates to the management of relationships with end users by soliciting their
input for use in system upgrades.
These data indicate that interactions with program management and end users are
critical activities in gaining support for the innovative use of IT within agencies. Such
activities do not appear critical for CIOs who view their agency's primary use of IT as being
for support purposes.
Implement IT-Based Solutions Activities
Two of the nine implement IT-based solutions activities emerged as critical in both CIO
profiles:
•
Involve those to be affected by an IT-based change in its design and implementation
•
Procure and organize the technical expertise for development
