Terms and Titles of IT Management IT management jobs within today's corporate structure are becoming increasingly specialized as the modern workplace becomes ever more technologically complex. Every company ultimately finds its own approach to managing information technology based on its unique personnel, budget and core business needs. However, there are some shared organizational principles that dictate the same basic IT management structures at companies large and small. Job titles and responsibilities will vary across companies and industries, but here are some of the common IT management roles you'll find.  The Top Guns - Chief Information Officer (CIO)
- Chief Technology Officer (CTO)
- Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)
The CIO, CTO and CISO are a company's top technology gurus. IT executives in these positions are generally extremely ambitious and entrepreneurial, and often started by earning their bachelor's degrees in computer science or technology, and later attaining MBAs or master's degrees with a technology focus to further their careers. Their compensation packages are also commensurate with the high levels of responsibility they have within the company. Together, these three determine how technology will be used to keep the company thriving—and safe—in a competitive and challenging marketplace. CIO: Mixing Business and Technology The CIO reports directly to the CEO, and is responsible for the strategic direction of technology in a company. CIOs generally support the business and its operations, but the best CIOs are not only good at IT management, they are also great leaders and able to provide the vision for the direction of technology within a company. The job of the CIO continues to increase in complexity and importance as technology expands its reach as a critical component in every facet of running a business. CIOs may have different roles. In its 2006 survey, CIO.com found that there are four kinds of CIO—business leader, innovation agent, operational expert and turnaround artist—depending on the needs of the individual company. CTO: Chief Computer Geek The CTO is more concerned with the company's technology R&D. CTOs deal with system architecture, platforms, data processing, systems analysis, computer programming, etc. In many cases, especially in smaller companies, de facto CTOs don't even have that title, but they are in charge of developing the company's future technology. To compare the top two roles in broad terms, the CIO is more business oriented, while the CTO is more technical, with an in-depth understanding of computer and information systems, what they do, and how they do it. CISO: The Computer Security Expert CISOs manage information system security and, should security systems fail, organize disaster recovery. CISOs are experts at systems and data security, Internet security, firewalls, passwords and encryption. With federal regulations requiring companies to protect consumers' personal information, CISOs have become ever more important. In some companies, the job may encompass more than information security to include responsibility for the security of facilities, employees and other assets (typically this is a Chief Security Officer role, or CSO). What makes this standard technology triumvirate confusing is that not all companies follow this structure or naming convention. And in smaller firms, all three of these executive IT management jobs may be consolidated into one position, where management of a company's information technology and security may reside with a single vice president of technology. IT Management in the Trenches: Mid-Level IT Managers The CIO, CTO and CISO can't do it alone. Reporting to the executive-level IT leadership and managing the IT groups are the front-line IT managers: - Program manager (or project manager, business analyst, systems analyst, or other variation, depending on the company and industry)
- Development (Dev) Manager
- Testing or QA (Quality Assurance) Manager
- IT Operations (IT Ops) Manager
Program Managers: Making Projects Run Smoothly Program managers plan, organize and manage resources to bring about the successful completion of specific technology projects. These folks are essential for ensuring that technology development projects meet stated requirements, and are completed on time and within budget. Never underestimate the value of a good program/project manager in the IT world. Dev Managers: Creating Software to Achieve Company Goals Dev managers oversee the software engineers (also called programmers, coders or developers), who write the code that translates the technology needs of the company into the software that helps the company achieve its goals. The Dev group also includes database management specialists who know how to inventory and recall the information that the company has stored in its system. Often, the Dev team includes other specialty groups, such as technical writers or designers. Testing: Avoiding Problems Before They Happen Once the developers have written programs for the company's technology projects, the QA (quality assurance) or testing manager oversees the quality of the software to find bugs and suggest improvements to the programs so they run as expected. When QA finds problems, they return the test product to the Dev team to fix them before products are released. IT Ops: The Unsung Heroes Finally, IT operations managers see to the daily functioning of the IT help desk and maintain servers, printers, faxes, hardware, software and telecommunications so that employees can do their work without interruption. This team is made up of systems engineers, systems administrators and support specialists. When IT Ops does its job well, employees almost forget they exist. When there are unforeseen computer problems, they are the first ones called to fix a problem and are greatly appreciated members of the technology team. If you already work in IT, have great management skills and enjoy managing people, you may want to consider pursuing a career in IT management. With the increasing specialization of IT departments in virtually every industry, you will find many options open to you in this rewarding and challenging career. Sources: toptechnews.com, insidetech.com, blogs.techrepublic.com, cio.com, csoonline.com All Computer Schools Home
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