Mastering Emerging Technology Deployment: A CIO's Essential Guide
Embracing new technology can be exciting, yet fraught with challenges. The delicate balance between innovation and risk is crucial in the decision-making process for CIOs. According to a recent presentation by Gartner Analyst Gene Alvarez at the IT Symposium/Xpo in Orlando, deploying emerging technology requires a meticulous approach. Alvarez outlines a three-step strategic process for CIOs to navigate this high-stakes arena effectively.
Understanding the Organizational Persona
The first step in Alvarez’s guide emphasizes understanding your organization’s “persona” when it comes to adopting technology. Are you a pioneer, a fast follower, or a late adopter? This categorization dictates your approach to risk and potential rewards. Identifying where your organization stands can reveal insights into its readiness and agility to embrace new tech.
Evaluating Technology Use Cases
Next, CIOs should evaluate technology use cases by weighing feasibility against business value. This step determines where to place focus in the intricate landscape of emerging tech. A technology that scores highly in both feasibility and business value is a prime candidate for deployment, offering significant returns.
Assessing Organizational Readiness
Organizational readiness revolves around technical capability, financial resources, vendor viability, and the workforce’s adaptability to new technology. Alvarez underscores the importance of aligning technological advancement with employee acceptance to prevent resistance and ensure seamless integration. Additionally, external feasibility involves staying attuned to market trends and external factors influencing the technology landscape.
Catering to Business Values through Technology
It’s not just about having more technology but ensuring the technology adopted adds tangible value. As Gartner’s research suggests, a whopping 83% of CEOs plan to heighten investment in digital tech by 2025. However, more investment doesn’t necessarily mean bigger budgets; it’s about strategically aligning resources to harness maximum business value.
Conclusion
Deploying emerging technology successfully hinges on answering ‘what, how, and when,’ ensuring the right technology is chosen at the right time. Alvarez’s framework provides CIOs with a clear path to navigate the complexities of emerging tech in a manner that maximizes business value and establishes a competitive edge.
According to Information Week, implementing these strategies can transform how organizations harness new technologies, driving sustainable innovation and growth.
