CTO → CIO

A realistic transition from CTO to CIO: transferable skills, the gaps to close, a step-by-step learning plan and alternative routes. Estimated skill overlap 62%. Difficulty: Easy.

Difficulty: Easy6 stepsDuration: 4 to 8 monthsOverlap: 62%

Transition from CTO to CIO.

Transferable skills

  • Strategy
  • Stakeholder management
  • Budget
  • Team development
  • Mentoring

Skills to learn

  • IT leadership
  • Governance
  • Digital transformation

Step-by-step learning plan

  1. 1. Build on your CTO experience

    2–4 weeks

    Leverage

    • Strategy
    • Stakeholder management
    • Budget
    • Team development

    Map transferable skills — Strategy, Stakeholder management, Budget — against what a CIO needs.

  2. 2. Learn the core of the CIO role

    6–10 weeks

    Learn

    • IT leadership
    • Governance

    Technologies

    ITILTableau

    Cover the biggest gaps first: IT leadership, Governance.

  3. 3. Master advanced CIO skills

    6–10 weeks

    Learn

    • Digital transformation

    Handle the advanced topics: Digital transformation.

  4. 4. Get productive with the CIO toolchain

    4–8 weeks

    Technologies

    ITILTableau

    Be hands-on with ITIL, Tableau and the rest of the target stack.

  5. 5. Practise CIO work in real conditions

    4–8 weeks

    Ship a portfolio project or take on CIO tasks at work.

  6. 6. Get certified and position yourself as a CIO

    4–8 weeks

    Technologies

    CISMCGEITTOGAF 9 Certified

    Update your CV and LinkedIn around CIO, then apply to target roles.

Alternative routes