What does a virtual CIO (vCIO) do?
Short answer
A virtual CIO provides the technology leadership of a Chief Information Officer on a part-time or shared basis. They build a technology roadmap tied to your business goals, plan the budget, guide vendor and purchasing decisions, and meet with leadership regularly, so technology decisions are made deliberately instead of one purchase at a time.
Draft · pending expert review
Most growing organizations don't need a full-time CIO. They do need someone who owns the big picture.
What a vCIO does
- Builds and maintains a technology roadmap tied to business goals
- Plans the technology budget, including replacements and projects
- Advises on vendors, software, and purchases
- Keeps security and compliance on leadership's agenda
- Supports growth: new locations, acquisitions, new systems
What a vCIO isn't
It isn't a sales meeting with a fancier title. A good vCIO recommends technology that fits a business need, including recommending that you don't buy something.