The complexities of these applications is of an order of magnitude higher than those of a decade ago. For a discussion of what these applications look like from an enterprise architecture perspective, read this by friend and colleague James Urquhart and just try to come away thinking that this highly complex, dynamic, constantly evolving environment can be managed by someone without technology chops.

Here's the thing: Complex as they are, these new applications are critical to the success of the overall business. The website of 2000 was important, but if it wasn't operating properly, the company could still function. If today's Web-enabled application isn't available, business grinds to a halt. This reflects how, over time, these applications have insinuated themselves into the core functionality of the company-and made their successful operation critical to the operation of the business.

Now, do you think a CIO can get by without understanding the key elements of these type of applications? Without recognizing the weak aspects of the application where failure or performance bottlenecks can ruin with the application?

The counter argument to this perspective is that the technology is too complex and covers too many areas for any individual to comprehend it all in detail, let alone a CIO with so many other responsibilities.