* Retaining IT professionals is the most frequently cited concern
The Society for Information Management (SIM) held its annual conference last week and released some surprising research. For as long as I can remember, the challenge of ensuring business-IT alignment had been the top concern among CIOs polled in the annual survey. But this year, the impending IT staffing shortage has knocked the perennial issue of business-IT alignment out of the top slot.
Retaining IT professionals is the most frequently cited concern, showing an increased focus on recruitment and retention issues. What’s more, close to three-quarters of the 130 respondents expect to maintain or increase their IT staff. SIM points out that one reason IT leaders are concerned with recruitment and retention could be the significant drop in the percentage of the budget allocated for offshore outsourcing.
IT and business alignment is still an important priority, but some others that made it to the top 10 list for the first time include: building business skills in IT; reducing the cost of doing business; improving quality; managing change; making better use of information; and evolving CIO leadership role.
CIOs are recognizing that they are going through a transition to more of a business management role from a technical one. In terms of how CIOs spend their time, two-thirds said they spend it on non-technical issues.
When it comes to technology, antivirus protection is a leading priority. Other important applications and technologies identified by respondents include business intelligence; networks; business process management; and continuity planning and disaster recovery.
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