The Evolving Role of the Chief Technology Officer (CTO)

Introduction
The aim of this assignment is to highlight the evolving role of the Chief Technology
Officer over the past several years. The information used to complete this web exercise was
gathered via electronic media, primarily the internet. The mode of data collection used simply
cements the importance of technology in todays society.
The most important function of technology in calculated business decisions has shaped
the need for business executives who appreciate technology and recognize its profitable
applications to products, services, and processes. Organizations have addressed this necessity
through the recruitment of a Chief Technology Officer (CTO.
Main Ideas/Points & Exa!les
!ccording to businessdictionary.com a Chief Technology Officer (CTO is
an executive whose primary responsibility is to manage and address technical issues that
a company faces, including research and development ("#$. ! CTO should have the capability
to thin% effectively in nonfigurative terms, the aptitude to deal with indistinctness, strong
leadership and team&building s%ills given that continuing success re'uires achieving a great deal
more than one person can do alone.
The initial CTOs appeared during the late eighties. ! vast ma(ority of organizations
began to ta%e advantage of the results their "#$ laboratories were producing and the managers
of these labs were moved into positions where they could use technologies to supply the business
with tactical compensation. The function developed into very diverse positions and there are
several ways how to classify them. There are good grounds for following any of the
classification models) however the 'uadrant developed by Tom *erray in my opinion provides a
superlative structure for understanding the evolving role of CTOs and what ma%es them
successful+
Infrastructure Manager , -n businesses where the function of the Chief -nformation
Officer (C-O becomes too multifaceted, the CTO assumes the responsibilities for
communications and -T procedures. The C-O retains the liability for how technology is used
within the organization. This is model is mainly used in traditional organizations where -T is in a
support role.
Technology Visionary and Operations Manager , This model is typically evident in
dot.com and other technology&oriented companies where information technology is the main
ingredient in executing business strategy. The CTO is accountable for shaping how technology
can be used to realize the business strategy. This is the .technology visionary aspect of the
role. The CTO is also answerable for incorporating and organizing the technology, i.e. the role of
the .operations manager.
External Facing Technologist ,this model is often displayed in companies where
technology is used to present products and services to customers and partners) the CTO is the
intermediary between clients and internal expansion and the main influencer in the advancement
of the product portfolio. The CTO is in regular contact with primary customers and is
prominently involved in mar%et research.
Big Thinker , The CTOs in this model generally spend their time assessing how
technology can be used internally to develop new models and how to preempt competitors
attempts to use technology to disturb the mar%ets. This CTOs responsibilities often include
advanced technology, competitive analysis, technology assessment, prototyping lab, partnering,
planning, and architecture standards.
Manageent I!lications
CTOs are .multi&tas%ers they play an imperative role in a companys strategic plan and
growth. The CTO function is far from being homogeneous. /ach business has distinctive
re'uirements for its CTO and provides a uni'ue organizational composition into which the
person will fit. CTOs should include discussions of career aspirations and how to accomplish
them, as well as how to contribute to the advancement of the organization. 0iven the
significance of their responsibilities management should contemplate advancing the role of CTO
to top executive echelon, as the CTO cultivates effective relationships with prominent players
within the organization such as the C/O and 1enior 2anagement etc.
Recoendations
*ased on the information gathered, it is evident that 3amaican companies need to do the
research and where necessary implement the changes either by reclassification of (ob
responsibilities4 titles or by hiring and individual with the re'uisite 'ualifications and s%ills to
perform the function of CTO.
Conclusion
The responsibility of CTO has become more of a true top&level executive. Organizations
are more sensitive to the reality that -T must be used to gain strategic advantage, and the role of
technology cannot be downplayed. Therefore the role of the CTO will continue to evolve as
technology changes constantly and as a result so will their function and responsibility.
References
2c5night, $. (3anuary, 6776. The role of the CTO at Titan Corporation. "etrieved from
http+44flylib.com4boo%s4en46.89:.;.9<4;4
The "ole of the CTO+ =our 2odels for 1uccess by Tom *erray, "a( 1ampath (!pril 6776
http+44www.brixtonspa.com4Career4The>"ole>of>the>CTO>?2odels.pdf
The "ole of the Chief Technology Officer in 1trategic -nnovation, @ro(ect /xecution, and
2entoring by "oger $. 1mith
http+44www.cs.princeton.edu4courses4archive4spring;64cos??A4web4readings4smith.pdf
http+44www.businessdictionary.com4definition4Chief&Technology&Officer&CTO.html