In the previous post, we explored when you need a Fractional CIO (FCIO) To ensure that an FCIO is able to effectively contribute to a company’s success, it is important to establish the right conditions for their role. This includes ensuring that they have the appropriate hierarchical position within the organization, creating a supportive management environment, and providing them with the necessary IT infrastructure.
Hierarchical Position
An FCIO should be positioned within the organisation in such a way that they have the authority and influence needed to drive technology initiatives and make strategic decisions. This may involve reporting directly to the CEO or serving as a member of the executive team.
Management Environment
To be effective in their role, an FCIO needs the support of the company’s leadership team. This includes providing them with the resources and authority needed to make decisions and implement changes, as well as fostering a culture of collaboration and open communication.
IT Infrastructure
An FCIO should have access to the necessary IT infrastructure and resources needed to support the company’s technology initiatives. This includes having a robust and secure network, access to the latest hardware and software, and a team of skilled IT professionals to support their efforts. For some organisations, ringfencing or allocating an appropriate amount of budget for the FCIO to improve or modernise the IT infrastructure. Generally, FCIOs will gladly manage the project (or group of projects) to improve the infrastructure.
Conclusion
As businesses continue to embrace digital transformation and the role of technology becomes increasingly important, the need for an FCIO becomes more apparent. By providing strategic vision, specialized expertise, and the ability to drive technology initiatives, an FCIO can help organizations navigate the complexities of the digital world. By carefully considering the situations in which an FCIO can be most effective, and ensuring that they are set up for success within the organization, companies can leverage the benefits of having an FCIO on their team. Whether part-time or full-time, an CIO can be a cost-effective solution to the challenge of managing technology in today’s rapidly evolving business landscape.
