Smooth the transition from functional leader to strategic CIO and deliver real business impacts Transitioning to a leadership role is always difficult. But that's especially true in the world of technology, where the skills necessary to be a great development lead or operations manager are worlds apart from what is required to be an effective CIO or CTO. In The Accidental CIO: A Lean and Agile Playbook for IT Leaders, veteran software developer-turned-executive Scott Millett delivers an essential playbook to becoming an impactful, strategic leader--whether you've already had the role thrust upon you or your aspirations include a spot in the C-suite. You'll find a wealth of hands-on advice for tackling the many challenges lying in wait for new technology leaders, from creating an aligned IT strategy, to designing each component of your operating model. In the book, you'll discover how to create an IT organisation that is empowered, and focused on solving customer problems and generating enterprise value. You'll learn to adapt your methods depending on the context of the problem you are facing. You'll understand the science behind what motivates teams and how to change behaviour. You'll be taught how to think like a business leader, and focus on impactful business outcomes rather than IT output alone. An indispensable resource for newly minted and aspiring technology executives and leaders, The Accidental CIO will help you: Transform your ways of working by applying the principles of agile, lean and design thinking, the Cynefin decision making framework and system thinking practices. Develop an effective and aligned IT Strategy using Wardley mapping based on a deep knowledge about your business architecture and strategy Build an adaptive and agile operating model, from structures and accountability to ways of working and decision rights leveraging modern approaches such as Team Topology patterns. Deploy strategy ensuring alignment and ownership at every level within the organisation by cascading direction and measurement.