This year was also characterized by small, smart projects that open doors to new ways of doing things. At Brigham & Women's Hospital, CIO funded 10 new IT innovation projects in the $50,000-to-$100,000 range. At Johnson & Johnson, CIO developed and distributed a free iPhone application for family caregivers to track data about physicians, prescriptions and medical records.

A theme that recurs almost every year when Computerworld interviews Premier 100 honorees about what helped them achieve success is the importance of people. People, communication and leadership are all key pillars of IT success. Our honorees aren't interested in surrounding themselves with people who are unwilling to challenge them. They want smart leaders on their teams. As , "It starts with people and ends with people. Job 1 is to have a cadre of leaders working for you and, in turn, to have a cadre of leaders working for them."

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A project like the Premier 100 starts with people too. It's a major undertaking that involves the entire staff. But there are some Computerworld editors who are especially deserving of notice for their key contributions. That list starts with talented special reports editor Ellen Fanning, who manages all of our signature content, including the Premier 100. Executive editor Julia King is the author of our Premier 100 cover story and also the architect and hostess of the Premier 100 event. Editorial project manager Mari Keefe works tirelessly and smartly behind the project, pulling together submissions and data, and ensuring that the awards process is fair and accurate. Finally, executive editor Mitch Betts is an editorial mastermind at Computerworld who often goes unheralded, but whose contributions to have helped make it what it is today.

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