(Length: 5 pages)

Executive Summary (This is a document excerpt)

CIOs who report directly to their CEOs play a central role in business process improvements and IT innovation. They sit at the executive table and participate in strategic decision-making. Yet Forrester found that pharma CIOs typically play a more tactical role; they keep the IT lights on but are not considered innovators or enablers. To gain the clout needed to earn a seat in the executive inner circle, pharma CIOs must maintain proficiency as a trusted technologist but also leverage projects enterprisewide, lead the integration of business processes, skate ahead of new business requirements, and create a more strategic business role for themselves.