CIO Wisdom: Best Practices from Silicon Valley's Leading IT Experts

Chapter 3. The First 90 Days

by Mark Egan

Mark Egan describes the most important period in a CIO's career—the first 90 days. This is a honeymoon period during which executive management and the board of directors may be most receptive to the new CIO's needs and concerns, including requests for special resources like staff and funds to help the new CIO get a good start. It is also the only period in which the new CIO has the advantage of a “third-party” view of the IT organization; soon enough, the new CIO must begin demonstrating real value and return on investment while effectively handling day-to-day operational problems.

In this chapter, Egan explores:

• The importance of identifying issues and concerns within the IT organization ...