Democratisation: from control to enablement

With SaaS, cloud computing and low code/no code tooling and AI now prevalent, lines of business can now experiment, execute and scale their own technology initiatives, reducing dependency on the IT function. The CIO’s new focus is to empower the organisation by establishing the guardrails—standards, security, resilience, financial predictability and compliance—while providing a platform for innovation.

IT as strategic partner: from long-term programs to continuous delivery

The age of multi-year outsourcing and rigid IT roadmaps is over. Businesses now demand smaller, iterative projects that deliver value quickly. The CIO’s role expands to include facilitating rapid iteration, building cross- functional teams, and leveraging data for responsiveness and relevance. CIOs must create strong, balanced ecosystems with trusted partners who bring a variety of skills to the table, whilst maintaining continuous delivery and integration (CI/CD) at pace.

Human-centric: from standardised to personalised

As technology is increasingly focused on automation of workflows and user productivity, the emphasis is on role-based approaches, bringing personalisation and efficiency to the delivery model. With key skills at a premium, the CIO must invest in technologies that will deliver a clear return on investment or can be optimised to play a transformative role. Acting as a strategic advisor, the CIO ensures technology investments align with business priorities and future-proofs the organisation.