Transition CIO: accelerating companies' digital transformation

Today, companies need to adapt quickly to the changes and new trends brought about by new technologies. The interim CIO plays a key role in this digital transformation. This article provides an overview of the role, responsibilities and profile of a transitional CIO. What are the advantages of hiring a CIO in transition? When and how to call in a transitional CIO?

The role of the interim CIO

Definition and specific features

The interim CIO is an experienced executive who steps in temporarily to solve an operational problem emerging in an IT department. He/she must have already solved a similar problem in one or more other assignments. Their role is to manage, organize and supervise the company's information systems during a transition period.

Missions and objectives

The missions of the interim CIO are varied and depend on the specific needs of each company. They may include :

• Audit and diagnosis of existing information systems
• Defining an IT strategy
• Digital project management
• Or the implementation of new IT solutions.

The objectives of the transition CIO are to facilitate the company's digital transformation, improve the performance of information systems, and ensure the continuity of IT activities during the transition.

The key skills of an interim CIO

Experienced

A transitional CIO must have solid experience in information systems management and digital project management. He or she must be able to quickly understand the issues and challenges facing the company, and propose appropriate solutions.

Operational

The transitional CIO must be able to quickly take charge of IT operations and implement the necessary actions to achieve set objectives. He or she must also know how to work in collaboration with internal teams and external service providers to ensure the success of digital projects.

Versatile and mobile

A transitional CIO must be able to adapt quickly to different working environments and manage a variety of projects. They must also be prepared to travel and work at different sites if necessary.

The Information System: definition and challenges

What is an Information System?

An Information System (IS) is the set of elements (hardware, software, data, procedures, personnel) used to collect, process, store, communicate and distribute information within an organization. It encompasses all aspects of IT, telecommunications, data management and business processes.

Why improve the Information System?

Improving an organization's Information System is vital to its competitiveness and long-term viability. A high-performance information system optimizes business processes, facilitates decision-making, improves internal and external communication, and effectively exploits data to create value. In addition, an IS that is adapted to technological developments and to the company's challenges helps to reduce costs, increase productivity and guarantee data security.

Challenges faced by traditional CIOs

Traditional CIOs face a number of challenges, including :

• Aligning their services with business needs
• Rapidly evolving technologies
• Legacy software management
• And the complexity of IT infrastructures.

These challenges can lead to delays in project delivery, communication difficulties with business departments, and a loss of confidence on the part of senior management. The transition CIO is in a position to resolve these sticking points and support the company in its digital transformation.

The key phases of an interim CIO assignment

Identify needs

The first stage of an interim CIO assignment is to identify the company's information systems needs. This phase generally involves interviews with the various stakeholders (senior management, business departments, IT teams) to identify the organization's challenges, priorities and expectations.

Manager diagnosis and selection

Once the needs have been identified, the interim CIO carries out a diagnosis of the existing information systems, assesses the skills of the teams in place, and identifies the gaps to be filled. He or she then selects the manager who will lead the assignment. Each manager's skills are carefully assessed to select the candidate best suited to the company's needs.

Planning and implementation

Once the manager has been chosen, the interim CIO establishes the objectives and timeframe for the assignment. He then draws up a detailed action plan, to be validated by the stakeholders. Once the action plan has been approved, the interim CIO takes charge of the IT department and starts implementing the planned actions.

Follow-up and mission report

Throughout the assignment, the Transition CIO monitors the progress of the work, checking that the objectives set have been achieved, and adjusting the action plan if necessary. At the end of the assignment, he or she draws up a detailed report on the actions taken, the results obtained and recommendations to ensure the sustainability of the procedures put in place.

The benefits of an interim CIO

Responsiveness and adaptability

One of the main advantages of a transitional CIO is his or her ability to react quickly to the challenges and problems faced by the company. Thanks to their experience and versatility, they are able to adapt to different contexts and propose solutions tailored to the organization's specific needs.

Expertise and experience

The interim CIO brings valuable expertise and experience in information systems management and digital project management. He or she can help the company overcome difficulties and optimize business processes through the adoption of best practices and innovative technologies.

Accelerating digital transformation

The presence of an interim CIO enables a company to accelerate its digital transformation by facilitating the implementation of new IT solutions, the adoption of new technologies and the digitization of business processes. In this way, he or she contributes to improving the organization's competitiveness and performance in an increasingly competitive environment.

Improved communication and collaboration

The interim CIO fosters communication and collaboration between the company's various stakeholders (senior management, business departments, IT teams). This helps to restore trust between the CIO and the business units, and better align IT objectives with the organization's needs and expectations.

Build your IT department

The interim CIO has a builder's profile, so he or she can ensure the build-up of your Information Systems Department, while preparing the ground for a long-term profile to take over the run later on, notably by also helping in the process of recruiting a permanent CIO.

Computer and software failures impacting the business

A transitional CIO can intervene in situations where computer breakdowns or software reliability problems are having a negative impact on the business. Thanks to their expertise and ability to diagnose and resolve problems quickly, they can help restore the stability and performance of the information system, minimizing the impact on business activities.

Creation or centralization of digital projects

The interim CIO can also be called upon when digital projects are created or centralized within the IT department. He or she can help define the strategy, coordinate the teams and set up the processes needed to bring these projects to fruition, taking into account the company's needs and technological constraints.

Finding and choosing a transitional CIO

The different types of service providers

When it comes to finding a transitional CIO, there are several types of service provider, such as specialized consultancies, Digital Services Companies (ESN) formerly known as IT services companies, or freelancers. Each has its advantages and disadvantages in terms of cost, availability and expertise.

Questions to ask yourself when choosing a service provider

To choose the right service provider, it is important to ask yourself the right questions, such as :

• What is the level of expertise and experience of the proposed interim CIO?
• What is the service provider's ability to adapt to the company's specific needs?
• What are the costs and timeframes involved?
• How available is the proposed transition CIO?
• Does the interim CIO receive support during his or her assignment?

Choosing a transitional CIO: criteria and process

Skills and experience

It's essential to ensure that the interim CIO has the technical and managerial skills required to successfully carry out his or her mission. He or she must have significant experience in information systems management and digital project management, as well as in-depth knowledge of industry best practices and technologies.

Cultural and managerial compatibility

The success of an interim CIO also depends on his or her ability to integrate into the company and work closely with existing teams. It is therefore important to check that the candidate possesses the interpersonal skills and social intelligence needed to adapt to the organization's culture and management style.

References and professional network

The references and professional network of the interim CIO are also important criteria to consider when choosing a service provider. They can testify to the quality of his past interventions and his ability to provide effective solutions to the problems encountered by companies.

The selection and integration process

The process of selecting and integrating the interim CIO must be rigorous and tailored to the company's specific needs. It is important to define the objectives and deadlines for the assignment, to choose the manager on the basis of his or her skills, and to set up an action plan and regular monitoring to ensure the success of the intervention.

Situations where an interim CIO is a good solution

Examples of critical situations

The use of an interim CIO can be particularly relevant in the following situations:

1. CEO loses confidence in CIO
2. CIO dismissal or resignation
3. Poor communication between IT and business departments
4. Difficulties in setting up an agile IT department
5. Delayed delivery of IT projects
6. IT department too focused on itself and insensitive to the needs of internal customers
7. Audit, due diligence and integration of acquisitions
8. Information system split for carve-out
9. Creation or centralization of the ISD
10. Technical answers from IT instead of business answers
11. Lack of proposals from the IT department in the face of business digitalization
12. IT-generated crises: computer breakdowns, ERP blockages, unreliable information in software, etc.
13. Need external expertise to solve specific problems quickly and efficiently

Why do CIOs face such difficulties?

The difficulties encountered by CIOs can have different origins:

• Mismatch between business needs and services offered by the IT department
• Rapidly evolving technologies (SaaS, Cloud Computing, Big Data, mobility) that outstrip the ability of some IT Departments to adapt.
• Workload related to IT infrastructure management, which consumes a large part of CIOs' time and distances them from business needs
• Lack of training and professional development for CIOs, who often come from IT infrastructures or projects (ERP, CRM, etc.).

Typical profile of companies using an interim CIO

Companies calling on the services of an interim CIO can be SMEs, ETIs (intermediate-sized companies) or large corporations. The interim CIO can work on a full-time or part-time basis, depending on the company's needs and the complexity of the issues to be resolved.

How do you find an interim CIO?

Questions to ask when choosing the right consulting firm

To choose the consulting firm best suited to your needs, it is important to ask yourself the following questions:

• What is the company's expertise in Information Systems and Transition Management?
• How good is the CIO transition network?
• What feedback and references does the company have from customers who have used its services?

Why are companies increasingly turning to interim CIOs?

The development of the interim CIO profession is a response to the growing need for companies to adapt rapidly to technological and economic change, while benefiting from flexible, specialized expertise. There are several reasons for the development of the interim CIO:

Adaptability and flexibility

Companies are increasingly looking for flexibility in the management of their human resources. An interim CIO can provide specialized expertise without any long-term commitment.

Crisis management

During periods of crisis, restructuring or unexpected departures, companies need fast, effective solutions to maintain the continuity of their information systems.

Specific projects

Companies often launch digital transformation, technology upgrade or cybersecurity projects that require temporary, specialized expertise that the interim CIO can provide.

Cost reduction

Hiring an interim CIO can be more cost-effective than permanent recruitment, especially for one-off assignments. It allows you to control costs while benefiting from high-level expertise.

External expertise

An interim CIO brings an external view and diverse expertise, often acquired in various sectors and companies, which can be extremely valuable for projects requiring an innovative approach.

Accompanying change

In the context of major transformations, such as the introduction of new technologies or the implementation of new processes, a transitional CIO can play a key role in facilitating and supporting change.

Process evaluation and improvement

A transitional CIO can be hired to audit existing information systems and propose improvements, enabling the company to modernize and optimize its processes.

Managing complex projects

Some projects require specific skills that in-house staff do not possess. An interim CIO, with proven experience in similar projects, can ensure the success of these initiatives.

No conflict of interest

Being external to the company, an interim CIO has no internal bias or conflicts of interest, enabling him or her to make decisions objectively and impartially.

Training and mentoring

They can also act as mentors for in-house teams, training them and transferring skills to them, ensuring a sustainable skills base for the company.

What makes a successful interim CIO?

• The interpersonal skills (interpersonal skills, social intelligence, etc.) and technical skills of transitional CIOs, enabling them to adapt quickly and effectively to business needs.
• The ability of transitional CIOs to reassure and listen to the needs of business teams and departments.
• Their operational experience and knowledge of best practices enable them to provide concrete solutions tailored to companies' needs.

Conclusion

The use of an interim CIO can be an effective solution to the information systems challenges and issues facing companies. Thanks to their expertise, experience and ability to adapt quickly to organizations' needs, interim CIOs can help resolve IT issues and support companies' digital transformation. To succeed in this approach, it is essential to clearly define the objectives of the assignment, to choose the most appropriate service provider and to implement a rigorous selection and integration process.