Solutions for Our Times

     For further information and to receive complete copies of any of the white papers you
   see here,
 Contact
    Al Uretsky, Managing Partner
    Estrella Partners Group, LLC
    Tel.: (623) 594-9283
    auretsky@estrellapartners.com
The Need and Value of a CIO Coach;
By Harvey Fain and Doug Schwinn
Associate Partner(s)

Introduction
In today’s challenging economic environment companies require effective IT executive
leadership. As businesses evolve and develop new strategies for growth they often find
limitations in their current technology and business practices. In many cases the business
determines that their current IT systems and business processes are outdated and not
aligned with their evolving strategic business goals, market needs, and regulatory
requirements.
As part of the executive team, a CIO develops and executes strategies that create
competitive advantages for revenue growth. A CIO is the link between the company vision
and the implementation of the strategy through technology. Because they understand both
the aspects of business and technology, CIOs develop IT governance programs and
execute strategies to effectively resolve current issues, and provide platforms for future
growth.
Many facets of today’s dynamic business environment mandate that a company’s IT
department and infrastructure evolve in step with the business. Effective IT leadership
recognizes when the timing is appropriate to make investments in application platforms
and infrastructure to enable the business to deliver on its growth objectives.

The Problem
Knowing how, when and which tools to use to protect the current assets, maintain the
current operation and migrate into the future require a specialized skill-set. Organizations
often find themselves facing key decisions in the following situations, which they may not be
prepared for:

  • Major Business / IT Transformation effort currently ongoing or anticipated
  • Merger/Acquisition integration
  • Major IT Investment effort currently ongoing or anticipated
  • IT organization is not currently aligned with the Business Vision of the organization
  • IT not providing return on Investment as expected by management and/or the business
  • IT performance inadequate in the eyes of management and/or the business
  • IT projects consistently overrunning budget and/or schedule
  • IT Organizational/Staff Assessment needs to be conducted
  • Lack of an IT succession plan in place that is approved and executable; with the
    associated leadership development plans.
  • IT Governance / Change Management Assessment required to align with strategy
  • Risk Assessment (Business Continuity/Disaster Recovery) is out of date or non-
    existent
  • CIO resigned and/or current vacancy



For further information and to receive complete copies of any of the white papers you
see here, contact Al Uretsky.