In short, as CIO you are expected to be more agile than a ballet dancer and better at doing the splits than Jean-Claude Van Damme. So it’s no surprise that the market has been bombarded with stories about unburdening recently.

Unburdening literally means relieving someone of a load. But it’s easier said than done, and at Realdolmen we’re realistic about it: because how often have you already been promised that someone will unburden you? It’s an incremental process which you might have only just started, or perhaps you’re well on the way already. But actually, the real question is: how do you as CIO, as a company and as an IT organization, want to be unburdened?

And what about after the unburdening? What impact will unburdening have on your role? Will the CIO become redundant? Are you going, and will you be able, to find another interpretation of your role within a reasonable time? Will the unburdening give you the breathing space you need to concern yourself more with strategy, innovation and creating added value? How is your company, IT organization and own role future-proof?

After all, it’s not about what we can do as a partner, but what your organization can do more and better when you don’t have to concern yourself with something else. Where are your challenges, obstacles and opportunities to remain relevant for all your stakeholders in this world where technology is evolving lightning-fast? How do you buy the time and focus you need to work on your organization’s digital transformation?

Both aspects are looked at in this magazine. We hope you enjoy reading!