CIO Priorities for 2009

The following is review of the top CIO priorities for 2009 as published by CIOInsight (www.cioinsight.com). This is what over 220 IT executives have indicated as their top priorities. We analyse some of the trends for the year and provide some commentary and context.

Table of CIO Priorities

Below is a table of the data presented.



2009 Compared to 2008

The chart below provides a comparison of the priorities in 2009 versus those in 2008.



The top priorities include: Improving Alignment with Business Objectives; Improving Business Processes; Delivering Better Customer Service; Cutting Costs; Reducing ROI Costs; Improving IT Planning Processes; Creating or Improving Strategic Applications. These are largely internally focused on improving operations and keeping costs down. Customer service is a critical area as consumers will generally seek better value. During tough economic times, companies can differentiate themselves through better service and gain market share.

Areas that indicate a change from last year is the increased priorities in terms of cutting cost and reducing ROI costs. Contributing to creating new business strategies has been lowered in terms of priority as these tend to require capital expenditure and increases the number of projects undertaken. Consolidating and standardizing IT infrastructure is also another cost cutting initiative. Increasing revenue from new and existing customers is another area that has become a higher priority in 2009.

Priorities based on Turnover

The chart below provides a comparison of the priorities in 2009 for companies with an annual revenue below $500 Million versus enterprises where the turnover is $500 Million or over.



Companies with a turnover of over $500 Million are focusing more on improving the ROI on IT spend. Cutting cost and reducing ROI cost are also a higher priority. Compliance with regulatory requirements is likely a higher priority for large and publicly listed enterprises.

Companies with a turnover of less than $500 Million are focusing more IT security and continuity, discovering and deploying innovative new technologies, generating revenue and improving capability to deliver systems.

Source http://www.cioinsight.com/c/a/IT-Management/Top-CIO-Priorities-for-2009

Comments

[Fernando Felman]

I find it interesting that "Improving Alignment with Business Objectives" is stated in a separate item. The way I see it, that item is the end-result of all other items.
For example, if the business goal is to gain a broader client base, then marketing efforts would call out the necessity of a BI system which would require "Improving the Quality of Information".
Another example, if the business had acquired other businesses and wishes to reduce merging costs, then the IT requirements that need to be enabled would fall into "Standardising or Consolidation IT Infrastructure".

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