Both? I'm a CIO, but was first a developer. I transitioned into management from developer to a director of software development in 2003. If you're in a company

Both? I'm a CIO, but was first a developer. I transitioned into management from developer to a director of software development in 2003. If you're in a company like mine (and it sounds like you are) where you have to wear many hats, it'll serve you well to stay sharp on the development side while learning more and more about management. Unfortunately, that's going to mean some late nights for you. To stay sharp while "managing", I'd also take on software development projects by night and weekends from other companies to keep my skills honed. In our field, you constantly have to be learning anyway, so doing similar things will really help. Have my development skills suffered from not being a full-time developer? Probably...but not that much. I can still write code which would likely equal most of the developers that work for me. That said, I'd love, at times, to have mentors from who to learn better ways. The web is my mentor for now. I will say that staying sharp on the development side has really made me a more effective CIO. I can call bs on our vendors when a less technical CIO would've bought into their sales pitch. I can keep my employees honest and can see paths to solving issues that other CIOs might not. So...consider both. FWIW