The power of the 100-day report for a new CIO cannot be underestimated. New CIO’s are normally hired for many reasons, such as setting a new organizational direction. However, it is very easy for a CIO to fall into a predictable trap: production problems, sales calls, contract issues, human resource matters. Issues immediately pile up and the CIO becomes distracted. Then 6 months pass, and business leaders ask the inevitable question: What exactly has changed?
The 100-day report is the mechanism that allows the CIO to hyper focus on their vision and strategic intent. During this time: 1. Expectations are set, 2. Provides the CIO a branding opportunity, 3. Allows CIO to evaluate IT leadership, and 4. Gives the CIO a mandate.
The tenure of a successful CIO is inevitably set during the first 100 days. A formal 100-day report will set the tone, not only for the IT Organization, but also for the Business Leaders. Without this discipline, a CIO’s tenure can be a crap shoot.