CIOs Are Becoming the New COOs

CIOs Are Becoming the New COOs

Summary

In 2025 the line between technology leadership and operations has blurred: Chief Information Officers (CIOs) are increasingly running operational initiatives and delivering on core organisational strategy. The piece argues that technology is not a back-office utility handed off to departments, but the engine that defines efficiency and outcomes across every division. As a result, high-performing CIOs are expected to work in the operational trenches alongside business units to ensure systems, processes and strategy align.

The article stresses this observation is not intended to diminish Chief Operating Officers (COOs) but to highlight the expanding skillset required of modern CIOs and the need for organisations and tribes to recognise and adapt to this reality. For the full feature see the Summer 2025 edition by Michael Day (link below).

Author style

Punchy: this is a wake-up call for exec teams. If your board still treats IT as a service provider, you risk falling behind. Read the detail if you care about competitive performance, resilience and getting the most from digital investment.

Key Points

1. Technology now defines operations — operational success increasingly depends on the CIO function.
2. Modern CIOs are expected to be embedded in business processes, not isolated in a separate silo.
3. The role expansion does not replace COOs but requires coordination and recognition of new CIO responsibilities.
4. Organisations and tribal governments must recognise the evolving skillset and authority of CIOs to deliver strategy.
5. The article directs readers to the full Summer 2025 feature by Michael Day for deeper insight and examples.

Context and Relevance

This shift matters for boards, executives and HR — hiring, promotion and governance models should reflect that technology leaders are now central to operational delivery. The trend ties into wider developments such as digital transformation, data-driven decision-making and the need for tighter integration between IT and business functions. For tribal enterprises mentioned by the publisher, recognising CIOs’ operational influence is particularly pertinent as they modernise services and infrastructure.

Why should I read this?

Because it explains, in plain terms, why your tech lead should be in the room when operational decisions are made — and why ignoring that will cost you time, money and agility. Short, sharp and relevant for execs who want to avoid surprises.

Source

Source: https://mygamingandleisure.com/cios-are-becoming-the-new-coos/