ABSTRACT
This chapter covers the various roles and models regarding technology leadership and governance, with the overarching theme – who decides. It provides a framework for how technology is managed or governed in a government setting. The chapter highlights the importance of having sound governance systems and policies in place in order to establish clear roles and responsibilities throughout the enterprise. While information technology moves like a giant and an invisible pendulum swinging over time between centralized and decentralized computing systems, a corresponding force swings between centralized and decentralized information technology management. The successful chief technology strategist needs to communicate fluidly on different levels of breadth and depth, depending on the audience. Managing relationships between vendors, contractors, and other government entities has quickly become a key competency. In many ways, the state CIO has evolved into a high-level broker of both innovation and relationships.
