While browsing my email today, I found the TechTalk: Tuesday in Tech newsletter from Computer World. There was a link to the article The rise of the Tech Super Chief which took me to the TECHtalk Podcast Episode 210 (embedded below) titled Coming soon to a boardroom: The ‘Super Chief’?

This podcast is an interesting take on the proliferation of multiple tech-focused Chief roles across a single organization, for example:

– Chief Information Officer (CIO)
– Chief Technology Officer (CTO)
– Chief Data Officer (CDO)
– Chief Analytics Officer (CAO)
– Chief AI Officer (CAIO)
– Chief Digital Officer (CDO)
– Chief Information Technology Officer (CITO)
– Chief Information Digital Officer (CIDO)

I’ve seen firsthand where too many independent tech CxOs reporting up to a non-tech leader will lead to siloed work with no single individual having the authority to unify & drive to a shared business outcome. This ultimately results in a disjointed approach to technology strategy with little accountability.

Think of “too many cooks in the kitchen.” It rarely results in a positive outcome.

I strongly believe all technology groups within an organization should be consolidated to roll up to a single technology leader. This individual must be a strong technologist with a comprehensive understanding of the business vision who is solely responsible for facilitating the design and unification of an organization’s broad technology strategy to drive shared business outcomes and value creation.