What Information Technology managers do
Today, most companies are depending on Information Technology (IT) for their business operation. It is important that their information systems work effectively and reliably. Information systems managers (ISM) play a key role in the implementation and administration of technology within a company as they plan, coordinate, organize and manage all IT related activities. In discussion with other managers, they determine the goals of a business unit within a company then implement certain technology to help them meet those goals. For example, in the old day, documents travel from office to offices via in house mail system with couriers carry documents to appropriated people. Information system managers help install network system so people can send documents via emails which is faster, better, and more efficient. Basically, ISM oversees all technical aspects of the company, such as software development, network security, and Internet operations to make the business operation more efficient and effective.
The highest level of ISM is the Chief Information Officer (CIO) who strategizes, manages, plan and directs all IT works. The CIO works closely with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to run the company operation. There are several layers of managers below the CIO, depending on the size of the company. For large company or government systems, there is a role called Chief Technology Officers (CTOs), who is responsible for the evaluation of new and innovative technologies to determine how these can help the company. CTO develops company’s technical standards, deploys new technology, and supervise IT workers who deal with information technology issues. When a new tool or new technology is identified, the CTO determines implementation plans, including cost-benefit and return on investment analyses, and presents those plans to the Chief Information Officer (CIO).
Below the CIO and CTO are Information System Directors. The director’s job is to ensure the availability, continuity, and security of data as well as manage information technology services for each business units within a company. They manage a variety of technical areas, develop and monitor system performance and implement new IT projects. Each director manages several information system managers. These managers direct the work of IT workers, such as programmers, testers, systems analysts, and support specialists (Software quality assurance, configuration management, database administration etc.)
Information system managers plan and coordinate activities such as installing and upgrading hardware and software, modifying systems design, implement computer networks, and the development of Internet and intranet sites. They also manage the upkeep, maintenance, and security of networks. They analyze the computer and information needs of the companies from an operational and strategic perspective and determine immediate and long-range personnel and equipment requirements. They assign and review the work of IT workers and keep current of the latest technology to ensure that the company remains competitive. Each information system managers manages several IT project managers.
IT project managers develop requirements, budgets, and schedules for their IT projects. They coordinate such projects from development through implementation, working with IT workers, as well as clients, vendors, and consultants. These managers are increasingly involved in projects that upgrade the information security of an organization. Information system managers plays a critical role in all areas where IT are used including the capture, digitization, representation, organization, transformation, and presentation of information; algorithms for efficient and effective access and updating of stored information, data modeling and abstraction, and physical file storage techniques. It also encompasses information security, privacy, integrity, and protection in a shared environment.
To work as information system managers, students must have at least a bachelor degree from an accredited university in Information System Management (ISM) program; be able to demonstrate skills in some management methods to solve a specific problem, and be able to select and implement appropriate solutions. In the past, some business administration students were hired to work as ISM in companies because they had management skills. However, industry study revealed that most of them failed because the lack of technical knowledge. There is a difference between business management skills and information management skills. Today, almost all companies require applicants to have ISM degree to be considered.
ISM is an evolving area with many specialties. Students can focus on the management of network systems such as intranet and Internet; Database, data mining, and data warehouse; Web technology and development; Data and information integration; Service management; Cloud computing and office virtualization; Business Intelligence and forecasting; and Computing system Security etc.
New applications of technology will continue to drive demand for IT workers as well as the need for more managers. To remain competitive, every company will continue to install sophisticated computer networks and set up more complex intranets and websites. They will need to adopt the most efficient software and systems and solve problems when they occur. Information systems managers will be needed to oversee these functions. Because so much business is carried out over computer networks, security will continue to be an important issue, and will lead to high demand for managers with skills in computing security. Companies will increasingly hire more security experts to fill key roles in their IT group because the integrity of their computing environments is of critical. Basically, the growth of information systems managers is closely related to the growth of IT workers such as software engineers, programmers, testers, network specialist and security workers etc.
There is high demand for ISM in areas such as Database Administrator, Cloud computing, Service Management, Network Administration, Web Development, Web management and Search Engine Optimization (SEO). Many companies are moving into online business (e-business) or use the intranet for disseminates internal information, and they urgently need ISM graduates. Today ISM newly graduates in the U.S can make from $87,000 to $98,000 a year. However, they can get more with experience because their jobs are paid according to management level rather than technical level. An ISM directors make $180,000 to $250,000 and CIO often make $450,000 to $ 650,000 a year with bonus. In very large company, CIO salary can get over million dollars a year.
Sources
- Blogs of Prof. John Vu, Carnegie Mellon University
