Dive Brief:

• In 2018, CIOs should expect to see a division in traditional roles to become a "partner-liaison" to help guide tech initiatives that are outside of the IT department, according to a TEKsystems survey of 1,000 IT leaders. 

• Projects usually managed directly by IT departments are becoming more outsourced as more projects are being "directed by other internal lines-of-business." As a result, instead of the transformative role many CIOs wish to occupy, opportunities are more likely to fall beyond their expected responsibilities, according to the report. However, in the next 12-24 months, 41% of respondents said the overall IT department will move toward a more transformational role.

• The view that the C-suite is the "most critical" for setting a company up for success is rapidly declining. Only 6% of respondents agree with that view — a 6% decline from 2016. However, nearly one-third of respondents said project managers are the ones most critical for a company's success in the coming year.

Dive Insight:

The role of the CIO is expected to change at the same pace technology does. It is nearly impossible to maintain any digital transformation momentum without CIOs, but as more "as a Service" models enter the enterprise, hands-on management from CIOs is greatly reduced.

Still, CIOs are looked upon for guidance in digital migrations and heightened cybersecurity risks, but securing a seat at the C-suite table remains a challenge. Onboarding other leaders in a company to understand and greenlight a technical initiative should become a more streamlined process in the year ahead.

Despite leaders believing the direct impact the C-suite has on driving a company toward success, CIOs still need a voice in the direction IT can take a business, not necessarily the other way around.

Technology is no longer confined to the IT department, and CIOs need to accommodate its expansion. In fact, CIOs now have their hands in other departments integrate, consult, deliver and communicate new systems and devices.