Getting to know the CIO

Jan 01, 2005: Continuing our new series of profiles of Australia's Chief Information Officers, IDM chats to Dallas Stower, who has been CIO of Queensland Rail since March 2001, to get an insight into the particular demands of the CIO position at a high profile public service.

IDM-What is the most demanding aspect of your job, and what is the most satisfying aspect?

DS-The most demanding aspect is probably trying to balance a range of sometimes competing demands and directions and still be able to deliver satisfactory service to internal customers. The most satisfying part of the job is being able to look back on strategies and plans that were developed some years ago and reflect on how they had resulted in the successful adoption of a new technology or project that has delivered significant business benefit.

IDM-Have you held a CIO position elsewhere, and if so, for whom and for how long?DS-No, this is my first role as a CIO. Previously I held the role of IT strategy manager at QR. Prior to coming to QR, I held various IT management roles in a number of Queensland Government agencies.

IDM-Has your role changed since your appointment, and if so, how does it now differ?DS-When first appointed to the role, the CIO role was purely responsible for IT strategy, architecture and policy. IT service delivery was provided by an IT service delivery division. Within six months of taking on the CIO role, I also assumed responsibility for IT service delivery as well.

Other changes have included where the CIO has reported into the organisation. The role is now part of shared services group within QR.

IDM-What industry changes have had the most impact on your position (both detrimental and positive changes)?

DS-Over the past few years, there has been a maturing of the industry. That has meant that it has been a tougher market place, but has also meant the focus has been on getting more value out of existing technology rather than chasing the next new thing on the technology hype curve.

IDM-Do you feel that the introduction of regulatory compliance legislation has placed a far heavier burden on the shoulders of CIO's, and if so, how can this be alleviated?

DS-Not necessarily. Compliance with appropriate legislation is a fact of life. If you look at it positively, then you can see how aspects of the legislation can be seen as an enabler rather than inhibitor of what you need to achieve. Legislation such as the Cyber Crimes Act and those dealing with Spam are actually quite positive for the industry.

IDM-If you had a wish to change one thing about your position that would improve your job the most, what would it be?

DS-I'd love to have more time to do things, but the laws of physics are against that.

IDM-What impact, if any, did the recent train derailment have on your department?

DS-Negligible. The major impacts were in the engineering and operational parts of the organisation. My division was able to provide some very minor assistance.

IDM-What are the main attributes you feel are necessary to make a successful CIO?

DS-To be a successful CIO you need to focus your skills development more on the business side than on technology. You need to run your IT shop as a business-it needs to be professional, cost effective and efficient.

You need to spend time building rapport and relationships within the business and understand the pressures and strategic objectives of your internal business customers. You also need to be able to articulate to the business in terms of business information solutions rather than technology solutions.

Also to be a good CIO you need good strategic skills. You need to be able to develop good long term strategic plans and technology strategies. But above all, you need to have a vision of where you want to take the IT environment, which is closely aligned to where the business is going.

IDM-Finally, what do you like to do outside the office (favourite sports, pastimes, etc)?DS-I enjoy unwinding by playing golf very occasionally, although I am absolutely hopeless at it. I also enjoy time with the family, particularly taking my children to sport and things like that. I also spend a fair share of my weekends doing fencing or cattle work on my parents' farm.

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From Jurassic Park to the technology park - CIO DNA is evolving