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What's the role of technology in your industry?
Technology plays a very important role in our industry. We are in civil engineering construction business and these days construction is getting more and more mechanized as the time span for execution of projects is getting shorter and shorter and the size is getting bigger and bigger. The projects that we used to execute in three four years' time, are now getting completed in one year or less than a year. Adoption of new technologies and I do not mean only Information Technology, use of modern plant and machinery and techniques have made this possible. Concreting of a huge floor of thousands of Sq. Meter. can be finished in one day.
Has IT turned more strategic in the last few years? Is there a change in the equation between business and IT departments?
By ‘IT becoming more strategic’ if you mean aligning IT with business requirements, I would say that in our organization IT has all along been considered as a means to an end and not the end in itself. The equation between IT and the business is still not there at all levels. I suggest CIOL organizes such events for all C Level Executives
How easy or tough is it to spread IT across a company's depth and breadth, specially in India (geographically)?
Bringing everything online in India and having a single source of truth is not easy. We have been implementing ERP at our construction projects at various places in India. The biggest problem is establishing some sort of stable connectivity. In many places VSAT is the only option and VSAT bandwidth is very expensive. Customers also at times are not ready to give NOC for installation of VSAT for security reasons or out of ignorance. However, nothing is impossible and ultimately what really matters is the attitude.
What is your frank take on all the buzz around Green IT, cloud computing, open source systems etc.
Assess and watch.
Do you think there is enough Best-Practice sharing happening in the industry?
We are all awake and alert now and I will feel good to think that genuine efforts are being made by all in this direction.
Is it tough for a CIO to exit an investment, in terms of barriers (financial, or technical)?
Why should a CIO try to exit an investment, be it light or be it heavy? That is not the right approach. Every CIO should try to make the most out of all investments made and get back the money's worth. Even if it is a wrong investment, efforts should be made to make the most out of it.
What's a good approach when a CIO is concluding a big outsourcing/IT vendor contract? Incumbency? Anti-cumbency? or Multi-sourcing?
The best approach while outsourcing is to select the right partner who understands the business, has been able to generate confidence and believes in a win-win situation.
Has a CIO evolved from a mere convincing-role to an influential one, in the top management's boardroom?
CIOs are considered a lot more important then they used to be earlier. That CIOs these days are often occupying a seat in the Board of Directors is more out of necessity and I won't call it an evolution.
What have been your challenges and best lessons as the woman at the helm of IT?
Honestly, you have made me laugh. I did not face any challenge and had no chance also to learn any lesson particularly as a Woman heading the IT Department of a Company. In my place of work, I am just a person.