Firms that grant IT chiefs a senior position in business management are more likely to have high-performing technology departments, according to a report to be published next week by US business consultancy The Hackett Group.

The research measured the efficiency and effectiveness of 200 firms’ IT departments and found the top 12 percent all had chief information officers (CIOs) whose position encompassed a senior role in business management.

Of the remaining IT departments, only just over half (56 percent) had CIOs in such roles. The survey also found that more than two-thirds of the top-performing IT chiefs reported directly to their chief executive, compared with just 20 percent of the others.

“Every one of the world-class IT departments had a senior IT person with a seat at the management table and most had direct communication with the CEO,” said report author Scott Holland. “They weren’t necessarily on the board of directors, but they were high up enough to be part of the governing body and be involved in strategic decisions.”

Unless companies give CIOs a senior management position, strategies that require IT support may be planned without technical input, the report argues. As a result the technical component will often fail to meet business needs. “If they don’t have a seat at the table, CIOs are more inclined to just take orders,” said Holland.

The findings were welcomed by Alistair Russell of the National Computing Centre (NCC)’s Impact Programme, which works with the CIO Connect group to provide development support and training for senior IT professionals. “This research aligns with anecdotal evidence that giving CIOs a senior role brings plenty of benefits,” he said.

David Yu of Betfair, who last month was promoted to chief executive after previously working as the company’s IT chief, agreed CIOs should have the ear of senior management. “Reporting directly into the CEO enables the CIO and his peers to align goals while encouraging IT input and awareness during decision-making,” he said.

Some argued that ensuring CIOs have clear communication channels with chief executives is more important than their actually having a seat on the board.