Free Resources Self-assessment

Technology Leader Readiness Self-Assessment

Eighteen statements across the six areas we work on with new technology leaders. Answer honestly. You will see a score for each area and what to work on first.

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Board and executive communication

01I can explain our top technology and security risks to the board in plain business terms in under ten minutes.
02The CEO and I agree on what technology must deliver this year.
03I know what my board and executive peers expect to hear from me, and how often.

Budget, spend, and vendors

04I can explain where our technology budget goes and what the business gets for it.
05I know when our major vendor contracts renew and what we would change.
06I can defend a budget request to the CFO with a clear business case.

Building and leading the team

07I know which people on my team are critical, and who is at risk of leaving.
08My direct reports know their priorities without checking with me.
09I have a plan for the roles I need to hire or change this year.

Risk and security judgment

10I know our top five technology and security risks and who owns each one.
11If we had a serious incident tomorrow, I know who decides what, and we have practiced it.
12I can tell which audit or assessment findings matter now and which can wait.

Managing up and across

13I have a working relationship with each business leader who depends on technology.
14I raise bad news early, with options, rather than waiting until it is certain.
15Peers bring me into decisions before they are made, not after.

Your plan and priorities

16I have a written plan for the next 90 days that my manager has seen.
17I can name the two or three results that will define my first year.
18I spend most of my week on my priorities, not on whatever arrives in my inbox.

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