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This makes think, how can a CEO manage a tech team (headed by CTO) effectively? For sure he himself usually does not know much about the tech involved and even

This makes think, how can a CEO manage a tech team (headed by CTO) effectively? For sure he himself usually does not know much about the tech involved and even he does grow from the trench he doesn't know all arms. The only way he can do is to trust his CTO and let him pitch changes and innovations and such. But how does a CTO do that? Again he has to rely on his generals to make the judgement. This all sounds like a job impossible to do right. Any idea?

uejfiweun 4y ago
This might sound dumb, but one interesting thing about Star Trek TNG was that Picard and Riker (captain / first mate) were the two foremost computer experts on the ship. It’s explicitly stated that they have the most knowledge of how the ship’s computer works. Perhaps this was prescient. As tech begins to play an increasingly dominant role, the humans who directly manage that tech will play an increasingly dominant role as well.
- brookst 4y ago
  That is interesting, but it requires suspension of disbelief to think that the foremost computer expert will also be the foremost management expert. The aptitudes and personalities required for deep understanding of tech rarely present with those required for effective management of large organizations.
  - uejfiweun 4y ago
    You make a fair point. Unless, of course, the computers become the best managers of all.
- Domenic_S 4y ago
  Seems implausible that Riker would know more about the Enterprise's computer than Data.
knodi 4y ago
In these 3 steps: 1) Gather requirements of what the business expect the systems to do provide which capabilities for the business to operate and grow for the future. 2) Present this to the generals and ask them "how can we get here with which changes or new systems?". 3) Analyze document the proposed changes outline pros and cons. Make recommendation to CEO. Repeat the loop again with action plan and timeline, if the CEO agrees which i'm sure the CEO will have input on where action plan is focused on and timelines. Ask for input from all Cxx and SVPs - repeat loop after this point. Repeat until actionable work items are created and assigned to people to execute on. Monitor execution and keep doing it again and again until all the changes are in.
- mrguyorama 4y ago
  Don't forget the part where you actually analyze the result to see whether the needs reported to the team creating the solution were accurate, and then triage the mistakes and misunderstandings that inevitably happened.

uejfiweun 4y ago

This might sound dumb, but one interesting thing about Star Trek TNG was that Picard and Riker (captain / first mate) were the two foremost computer experts on the ship. It’s explicitly stated that they have the most knowledge of how the ship’s computer works. Perhaps this was prescient. As tech begins to play an increasingly dominant role, the humans who directly manage that tech will play an increasingly dominant role as well.

brookst 4y ago
That is interesting, but it requires suspension of disbelief to think that the foremost computer expert will also be the foremost management expert. The aptitudes and personalities required for deep understanding of tech rarely present with those required for effective management of large organizations.
- uejfiweun 4y ago
  You make a fair point. Unless, of course, the computers become the best managers of all.
Domenic_S 4y ago
Seems implausible that Riker would know more about the Enterprise's computer than Data.

knodi 4y ago

In these 3 steps: 1) Gather requirements of what the business expect the systems to do provide which capabilities for the business to operate and grow for the future. 2) Present this to the generals and ask them "how can we get here with which changes or new systems?". 3) Analyze document the proposed changes outline pros and cons. Make recommendation to CEO. Repeat the loop again with action plan and timeline, if the CEO agrees which i'm sure the CEO will have input on where action plan is focused on and timelines. Ask for input from all Cxx and SVPs - repeat loop after this point. Repeat until actionable work items are created and assigned to people to execute on. Monitor execution and keep doing it again and again until all the changes are in.

mrguyorama 4y ago
Don't forget the part where you actually analyze the result to see whether the needs reported to the team creating the solution were accurate, and then triage the mistakes and misunderstandings that inevitably happened.