I see how you segregate the two jobs. However, I think you're missing something. I see the segregation more at the what. CIOs should focus on any information that the organization creates or uses or will need. It is the CIO's role to ensure the organization has the information it needs. And your definition fits here.
However, I see CTOs being responsible for any technology used by the organization regardless of who uses it or sees it. In the case of a manufacturing company, technology can be turned internally or externally. The CTO in this situation would be responsible for identifying tech that aids in the production of the company's products. This type of tech would never (IMHO) affect or come under the control of a CIO. The CIO is more about the data than the tech in use.
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The CTO is responsible for the technology strategy for the organization to ensure standardization and best use of resources. CIOs, however, would be surprised to learn that they are not responsible for the technology used in information delivery.
For example as a CIO, I would not want the CTO governing my advanced analytics environment. The CTO may use this environment when products are being developed to understand customer buying behaviors, but it would still be my space
For example as a CIO, I would not want the CTO governing my advanced analytics environment. The CTO may use this environment when products are being developed to understand customer buying behaviors, but it would still be my space
you shouldn't apply for the job if you cannot tell the difference! However, some companies might not even know themselves what they are actually looking for.
I have to agree with Yangtze and disagree with you, Jennifer. With one major caveat -- companies are notorious for creating their own definition for standardized job titles.
CIOs are focused on information and treat the hardware as an enabler. CTOs are focused on the hardware. So yes, as a CIO, I would expect to not have to worry about the advanced analytics (hardware) environment if there was also a CTO. All I worry about is the advanced analytics software being used and how the data is used to enhance the business value. Both are focused on strategy and therefore both are externally focused. It's that old dichotomy of Systems Development (aka Applications and Processes) vs Operations carried over to the C-suite. (I admit that I am presuming a definition of advanced analytics being the business intelligence version. If by advanced analytics you meant computer hardware -- sorry, no one has used that term in some forty years outside of the super-computer lab.)
To quote from Investopedia:
Definition of 'Chief Information Officer - CIO'
A company executive who is responsible for the management, implementation and usability of information and computer technologies. The CIO will analyze how these technologies can benefit the company or improve an existing business process and will then integrate a system to realize that benefit or improvement.
Read more: http://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/cio.asp#ixzz2KufIxTvk
Definition of 'Chief Technology Officer - CTO'
An executive who is responsible for the management of an organization's research and development (R&D) and technological needs. A chief technology officer (CTO) examines the short- and long-term needs of an organization, and utilizes capital to make investments designed to help the organization reach its objectives. The CTO usually reports directly the chief executive officer (CEO) of the firm.
Read more: http://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/chief-technology-officer.asp#ixzz2Kuf8pWXC
And yes, I have been a CIO.
Glen Ford
CIOs are focused on information and treat the hardware as an enabler. CTOs are focused on the hardware. So yes, as a CIO, I would expect to not have to worry about the advanced analytics (hardware) environment if there was also a CTO. All I worry about is the advanced analytics software being used and how the data is used to enhance the business value. Both are focused on strategy and therefore both are externally focused. It's that old dichotomy of Systems Development (aka Applications and Processes) vs Operations carried over to the C-suite. (I admit that I am presuming a definition of advanced analytics being the business intelligence version. If by advanced analytics you meant computer hardware -- sorry, no one has used that term in some forty years outside of the super-computer lab.)
To quote from Investopedia:
Definition of 'Chief Information Officer - CIO'
A company executive who is responsible for the management, implementation and usability of information and computer technologies. The CIO will analyze how these technologies can benefit the company or improve an existing business process and will then integrate a system to realize that benefit or improvement.
Read more: http://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/cio.asp#ixzz2KufIxTvk
Definition of 'Chief Technology Officer - CTO'
An executive who is responsible for the management of an organization's research and development (R&D) and technological needs. A chief technology officer (CTO) examines the short- and long-term needs of an organization, and utilizes capital to make investments designed to help the organization reach its objectives. The CTO usually reports directly the chief executive officer (CEO) of the firm.
Read more: http://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/chief-technology-officer.asp#ixzz2Kuf8pWXC
And yes, I have been a CIO.
Glen Ford
Sorry I agree with Jennifer and disagree with Yangtze and yourself.
In my experience, CIOs need to be focused on a lot more than information, including technology, especially as it supports the business. Technology is also a lot more than just 'hardware'. Hardware is just one layer of the technology stack.
That said, it is really is horses for courses.
- Lew
In my experience, CIOs need to be focused on a lot more than information, including technology, especially as it supports the business. Technology is also a lot more than just 'hardware'. Hardware is just one layer of the technology stack.
That said, it is really is horses for courses.
- Lew
Glen,
Currently, its difficult to draw a clear and crisp distinction between the responsibilities between software and hardware, and between technology used internally within an organization or externally. For example, I see appliances and the cloud as a blending of software and hardware so you wouldnt be able to draw a clean line. Perhaps, its better to say that the CIO and CTO job roles are a collaborative effort across the organization.
When I mentioned advanced analytics, I wasn't referring to BI which is oriented toward querying, reporting, OLAP, and alerts. I was referring more to discovery automation, text analytics, or big data. I didn't know that the term advanced analytics had been used to describe computer hardware but thanks for the history lesson.
Jennifer
Currently, its difficult to draw a clear and crisp distinction between the responsibilities between software and hardware, and between technology used internally within an organization or externally. For example, I see appliances and the cloud as a blending of software and hardware so you wouldnt be able to draw a clean line. Perhaps, its better to say that the CIO and CTO job roles are a collaborative effort across the organization.
When I mentioned advanced analytics, I wasn't referring to BI which is oriented toward querying, reporting, OLAP, and alerts. I was referring more to discovery automation, text analytics, or big data. I didn't know that the term advanced analytics had been used to describe computer hardware but thanks for the history lesson.
Jennifer
Jennifer,
Thanks for this interesting writing. I think you might be missing a critical point. The roles of CTO or CIO will be very different in different verticals. For instance; The CTO role in a pharmaceutical company will be very different from the CTO role in a technology company (i.e.; that sells technology). I would say the same about any "technology user" company vs. a 'technology maker" company. Although similar, their priorities and focus will be different resulting in differing resumes. I believe it possible, but a shift from the "user" space into the "maker/seller" space will require considerable adaptation.
Thanks for this interesting writing. I think you might be missing a critical point. The roles of CTO or CIO will be very different in different verticals. For instance; The CTO role in a pharmaceutical company will be very different from the CTO role in a technology company (i.e.; that sells technology). I would say the same about any "technology user" company vs. a 'technology maker" company. Although similar, their priorities and focus will be different resulting in differing resumes. I believe it possible, but a shift from the "user" space into the "maker/seller" space will require considerable adaptation.
I absolutely agree that the roles will differ depending on the vertical. They will also change as Cloud continues to grow and IT changes its focus to services procurement and service management.
Great article! I find it quite insightful, especially for a topic that confuses many people. But where does the CDO (chief digital officer) fit in all this?
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