CIOs must engage in cross-functional leadership to seize on emerging opportunities while protecting the organisation from volatility
SYDNEY, Feb. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- As the global economy moves closer to a potential downturn, technology leaders are poised to clearly link IT's value to enterprise value. To support CIOs in defining their tech agenda for 2023, global IT research and advisory firm Info-Tech Research Group has published its annual CIO priorities report for the coming year. The CIO Priorities 2023 report combines insights from the recently released Tech Trends 2023 report to help CIOs find opportunities in volatile times.
'In the Tech Trends 2023 report, we called on CIOs to think of themselves as chess grandmasters and to view strategy as playing both sides of the board, simultaneously attacking the opponent's king while defending your own', explains Principal Research Director Brian Jackson, the lead analyst for the report. 'Our CIO Priorities 2023 report will continue with that metaphor as we reflect on IT's capability to respond to trends.'
In examining the different capabilities that CIOs will require to be successful in the year ahead, the CIO Priorities 2023 report states that the traditionally siloed view of IT will no longer be sufficient. Like a chess player who uses all their pieces to win the game, the firm advises that the CIO must use all the resources at their disposal while keeping the big picture in mind. Unlike functional leaders who only focus on specific areas and only see their next move, as the head of the organisation with a complete view of all the pieces, the CIO must have full awareness of the board state and make decisions accordingly.
Balancing cybersecurity, data management, digital transformation, and capability growth will be the top priorities for CIOs in the APAC region.
'CIOs across APAC must balance their priorities between cyber security, data management, digital transformation, and growing capability', says David Banger, Senior Managing Director, APAC. 'In the event of a cyber attack, CIOs must be ready to execute various response plans. In a competitive market, data insights can be a business advantage, while integrated digital experiences enable automated, consistent, scalable processes. Retaining and acquiring top talent will remain a challenge, as organisations seek external services to fill skill gaps and maximise resources.'
The CIO Priorities 2023 report is informed by internal collaboration sessions, external interviews with CIOs and subject matter experts, as well as Info-Tech's primary research, which draws on data from several different surveys and diagnostic benchmarks. The firm's Tech Trends 2023 report and upcoming State of Hybrid Work in IT: A Trend Report explain the externalities faced by organisations in the year ahead, highlighting the opportunities and risks that organisations face. Executive leadership must determine if they will respond and how to do so, and CIOs then determine how to support those responses by creating or improving their IT capabilities.
Based on the research and data, the following five priorities are the initiatives that Info-Tech recommends will deliver value across the most in-demand capabilities in 2023. These priorities are what should be top of mind for CIOs and tech leaders over the coming months:
The CIO Priorities 2023 report also includes insights in the form of case studies from technology experts at organisations such as Western University of Health Sciences, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE), and McDonald's Germany, to name a few.
Download and read the full CIO Priorities 2023 report, and register for the upcoming webinar to learn more about each priority for the year ahead.
To learn more about Info-Tech Research Group, visit infotech.com and connect via LinkedIn and Twitter.
Info-Tech Research Group is one of the world's leading information technology research and advisory firms, proudly serving over 30,000 IT professionals. The company produces unbiased and highly relevant research to help CIOs and IT leaders make strategic, timely, and well-informed decisions. For 25 years, Info-Tech has partnered closely with IT teams to provide them with everything they need, from actionable tools to analyst guidance, ensuring they deliver measurable results for their organisations.
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Media Contact: Sufyan Al-Hassan, PR Manager, Info-Tech Research Group, salhassan@infotech.com