Reference #299: Empowered
The role of a CIO (or Head of IT) differs greatly from the role of a CTO (or Head of Engineering). While a CTO leads a product engineering organisation that should serve the customer, a CIO is there to serve the business.
This is not to say the role of a CIO or IT is not important or difficult. Rather, IT and engineering are different function.
Having a product engineering group report to a CIO is symptomatic of a weak product organisation. Aim to retitle the CIO to CTO if they up to the challenge of that role, or hire a true CTO.
Cagan, Jones. Empowered, 2021. (15-16)