McKinsey Technology experts Aamer Baig, Jeffrey Lewis, Klemens Hjartar, Rob Cain and Sven Blumberg highlight that a wave of technological transformations is reshaping the role of technology leaders within organisations. Companies now expect chief information officers (CIOs), chief technology officers (CTOs) and chief digital and information officers (CDIOs) to translate technological potential into tangible business value.
McKinsey’s analysis was based on in-depth conversations with board members, executives, investors and tech leaders, along with a review of recent research. The study identified key changes that CTOs must implement to meet business demands, categorising them into four distinct roles:
- Orchestrator. Tech-driven growth calls for leading digital and artificial intelligence (AI) across IT and business operations. Executives define how their companies create value, head both commercial and technology teams and take responsibility for outcomes. As orchestrators, they integrate multiple facets of the organisation to gain benefits from AI and technology.
- Builder. This role creates new AI-powered digital products and business models that generate revenue. To achieve this, leaders must develop capabilities such as generative AI (GenAI), expand into new markets, and design customer-facing solutions.
- Protector. CTOs must actively mitigate risks that could threaten business resilience, including cybersecurity threats and other digital security concerns.
- Operator. Automation and technology provide increasing opportunities to enhance operations and other corporate functions. As a result, leaders are extending their influence beyond IT, shaping areas such as customer experience, innovation, operations, procurement and strategy. This could help break down silos and expedite the reconfiguration of business functions.
Whether or not and when technology leaders take on these roles will depend on various factors, including available talent, the experience of CIOs, industry dynamics, technological maturity and value creation potential.