Chief information officers at federal agencies will have more power to manage the agency IT programs, including true portfolio management for all IT, the Office of Management and Budget said.
OMB Director Jack Lew wrote a memo, released Monday, announcing the expanded role for agency CIOs. The changes are the next step in implementing the White Houseâs 25-point implementation plan to overhaul federal IT systems.
Now, the CIOs will be responsible for governance over the agencyâs entire technology portfolio. The CIOs will also be responsible for leadership in information security, program management and commodity IT purchases such as data centers, desktops, email and business systems.
âThe memorandum will help CIOs deliver on key areas to drive results and yield an even greater impact,â federal CIO Steven VanRoekel wrote on the White House blog.
The Washington Business Journal reports the new responsibilities combine with those already assigned to agency CIOs under the 1996 Clinger-Cohen Act. The law requires agencies to lead the process of acquiring and managing technology. IT purchases were also classified as capital purchases under the law.