What is the single most important tool every CIO should use?

1. A strategy that clearly aligns with the organization people, process maturity, financials and culture.

2. Goals for all staff that are a combination of measurable and also soft skill based. Many groups have goals that are to technical and do not address behavior.

3. A communication plan for engaging customers.

4. Effective steering via well defined deliverables.

5. Relationships driven by being active and visible. You have to manage across all dimensions and that can only occur if you are talking with people. The best way to capture indicators is often via informal. communications.

6. Do not get buried in analysis. Even seasoned exec's can get caught up in the act of chasing more and more data.

7. Spend more time on preventative measures (educating) then digging for causes.