How has the role of the CIO changed over the past few decades?

The CIO role has evolved from a primarily operational, back-office function focused on infrastructure and systems maintenance to a strategic leadership position. Today's technology leaders are expected to drive business value, influence corporate strategy, and lead digital transformation initiatives. This shift requires CIOs to develop strong business acumen alongside deep technical expertise.

What makes technology leaders integral to business strategy today?

Modern enterprises depend on technology as a core enabler of competitive advantage, making IT leadership essential to strategic planning. CIOs and technology executives now participate at the board and C-suite level, contributing to decisions around growth, innovation, and risk. Their ability to translate technology capabilities into business outcomes is a critical differentiator.

What is Columbia Advisory Group's role in IT leadership?

Columbia Advisory Group is a technology advisory firm that provides interim and fractional CIO services, IT strategy consulting, and managed services to organizations. Toby Buckalew serves as Interim CIO, representing the firm's model of deploying experienced technology executives to guide client organizations. The firm helps businesses navigate complex IT decisions without the need for a permanent full-time hire.

Technology Leaders Are No Longer Behind the Scenes, They Are Integral for Driving Strategy

Jason Claybrook of EY interviews Toby Buckalew, Interim CIO at Columbia Advisory Group, about his three-decade career in technology leadership. The discussion covers the evolving role of technology executives from back-office operators to strategic business drivers. Buckalew shares insights on modern IT management and the growing importance of technology leaders in shaping organizational strategy.

This story was produced through MarketScale. See how Software & Technology teams put it to work with Executive Thought Leadership.

By Jason Claybrook · April 21, 2022, 12:06 PM UTCColumbia Advisory GroupCybersecurityIt ManagementIt Solutions

Key takeaways

Technology leaders have shifted from operational support roles to strategic business partners at the executive level.

CIOs with 30+ years of experience like Buckalew highlight how dramatically IT management responsibilities have evolved.

Effective technology strategy now requires close alignment between IT leadership and overall business objectives.

Toby Buckalew, Interim CIO, Columbia Advisory Group, is a leading technology strategist with over thirty years of industry experience. Jason Claybrook sat down with Buckalew for an in-depth discussion on his career and insights into the current state of IT management.

Buckalew witnessed plenty of technology evolution and innovation during his lengthy career in IT. And he feels lucky that he’s been able to implement those technology changes as they’ve occurred. It keeps life exciting and fresh, and it’s one of many reasons he loves what he does.

“Where I’ve been successful is helping a company understand technology’s not just a service center,” Buckalew said. “It’s a valuable strategic asset for you if you leverage it correctly.”

To achieve that success, Buckalew said organizations needed to have the right people on the technology bus who understand the importance of technology’s role. The head of technology for an organization is no longer someone behind the scenes; they are an integral voice inside the company that drives strategy.

As a consultant, Buckalew is often called upon to get companies into alignment. To do that, he incorporates what he calls his seven pillars of technology. “It’s looking at everything based upon seven core elements. It’s a framework that’s been successful for me.”

Some of those elements include people, which Buckalew said often gets overlooked at organizations. It’s essential to look at the people’s skills within the organizations and recognize the talent lurking beneath the shadows. And once established, the organization needs to put the proper processes in place for their people to be successful and give them the tools they need to do the job.