What is digital transformation? Everything you need to know about how technology is changing business

However, the game is far from up for CIOs. While line-of-business employees might believe they can spot discrete digital solutions to their organizational challenges, CIOs have experience integrating systems and services. Effective digital transformation requires a close relationship between CIOs and their line-of-business colleagues. 

“Digital transformation is all about outcomes,” said Nick Woods, CIO at MAG, a UK airport group that owns and operates Manchester, London Stansted, and East Midlands Airports. “It comes back to the partnerships and allegiances you’re forming,” he told ZDNET. “As a CIO, you can’t be successful on your own. The business still needs to own its outcomes.”

With companies now looking to get more from recent digital transformation projects, even greater focus will be placed on the tech leadership capabilities of CIOs, which means building even stronger bonds with the chief executive and the rest of the C-suite.

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Vogel told ZDNET that Gartner’s 2024 CIO Agenda highlights how CIOs should base their partnership with CXOs on a franchise model, where they co-lead, co-deliver, and co-govern digital delivery. Gartner reports that 63% of digital initiatives meet or exceed outcome targets when CIOs set up franchise models. However, Vogel said only 12% of CIOs currently use a franchise model where they create digital solutions with the business.

The good news is CIOs who help their business colleagues reap the benefits of digitalization will be valued. Helen Fleming, executive director of search and specialisms at recruiter Harvey Nash, told ZDNET that CIOs who get the right approach could end up rising to the top of the business and fulfilling other senior roles in the organization, such as COO or even CEO. “CIOs are diversifying or progressing into the COO role,” she said.

Fleming pointed to the example of Nash Squared, where CEO Bev White began her CIO career at one organization and progressed to COO and MD roles. White then took CEO positions at other companies. For most CIOs, this careful progression is the likely route to the top in an age of digital transformation.