Thanks to Joe Baird for this insight on the fit between traditional CIO’s and the advanced analytics function. I would extend the argument further. Today’s CIO and IT organizations are not positioned to build, run and promote advanced analytics inside their organizations. There are synergies between IT and advanced analytics at the tactical level. But at the leadership level, most CIO’s don’t know the territory well and their experience is not aligned with data science. Analytics is not technology. It is technical. It is convenient to refer to analytics as a science to help make this distinction. When considered this way, most would agree that IT is not aligned with a scientific effort.
The Chief Insight Officer, suggested by Baird, is a leader hired by senior management to drive analytics forward.
CIO’s and their management will not want to be left out of the excitement and value proposition proferred by advanced analytics. It will be a challenge for IT executives and managers to ‘bolt-on’ much insight and knowledge, after careers and experience dedicated to the traditional IT function.
Recommended Reading
The CIO in the Age of Analytics: From Infrastructure to Insight | Joe Baird.
The Analytic Executive 