5 Roadblocks for IT Decision Makers in 2014

Today’s CIO can no longer be a large scale program manager because firms need a leader who drives innovation and strengthens the firm’s ability to execute and deliver business effectively, with comparatively fewer technology decelerators, KPMG points out. This is just the beginning and the significance of the role and the leader will continue to change, says KPMG.

KPMG’s Ashvin Vellody, Partner, KPMG India, elaborates on what CIOs can expect in 2014 in terms of their roles, the challenges that lie ahead and the measures that would help firms stay ahead of competition.

The key roadblocks would include:

1. Cloud security: public and private cloud – If your firm’s operations are not on the cloud yet, it’s probably on the cards as it should be. The CIO would have to effectively equip the firm, to deal with the bulk of sensitive data on the cloud. Right from the decision on choosing public or private cloud, the CIO should understand the challenges, capital expenses, operation expenses and security concerns. The planning to implementation process, approvals and funding from the firm, along with security and maintenance are all challenges the CIO should face, to fully leverage the cloud phenomenon.

2. Mobility challenges- Enabling an organization to go mobile brings about its own challenges; from device loss and theft to data security concerns. Companies would have to focus on establishing a common platform that can be used across applications and can be extended to support novel ideas and applications. Secondly, once devices start supporting multiple applications, especially if they are on the cloud, private and corporate data and its safety becomes a matter of concern. Applications and devices would have to be configured and monitored to safeguard users and the firm against malicious activity.

3. Making the organization a social workplace –There are several challenges CIO’s must deal with, in order to help ensure that the social platform helps the business, while building personal and professional ties. Enterprise social platforms can greatly enhance productivity by allowing for faster decision making, problem solving and approvals. The goal is to cultivate a culture that engages teams through conversations, rewards new users and makes the platform, intuitive and user friendly.

4. Enabling faster and decentralized decision making -For an increasingly mobile workforce, strategies that support decentralized decision making, need to be coupled with technology solutions. Identifying key decision points, supporting requirements and integrating mobility, cloud, social technologies and a comprehensive strategy on decentralized decision making would aid decisions on-the-go.

5. Walking the extra mile, personally -The skill set of a CIO needed to fully contribute to the firm and the role itself are in a state of metamorphosis with information, leadership and the smarter decision-making holding the key to competitive advantage. CIOs’ would need to enable better understanding of business literacy for the IT professionals at the workplace, as the lines demarcating IT and business steadily blur. This knowledge could become a key advantage for IT leaders charging ahead with a vision to secure a seat at the table.

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