This IDC study discusses CIO 360, a framework to help CIOs understand, assess, and prioritize changes in the IT landscape in terms that can be directly translated into effective IT investments that support business objectives in business terms. It introduces a methodology that CIOs will be able to use to make sense of the ways that information and technology can be leveraged in support of business strategy. This study is also a tool that can help CIOs negotiate solutions that provide business value while meeting the constant requirement to reduce costs and improve performance:

• How should all IT investments be positioned in terms of their business return?
• What are the key roles for the CIO in the 21st century enterprise?
• How do investments in information and technology drive sourcing, service, process, and organization decisions?

"IT investments are business investments. As such, they must have a negotiated business value or benefit. If they don't, just as with any other business investment, they shouldn't be made," according to Fred Magee, adjunct research advisor, CIO Agenda.