Figure 2. Top five challenges in delivering objectives and meeting the needs of the business, by percent.

Improving performance management 52

Improving governance, controls,

43
risk management

Improving competencies/skills 42

Improving planning/forecasting 42
and budgeting
Improving access to
appropriate information 38

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

Source: IBM Business Consulting Services 2003 Global CFO Survey.

Also a significant concern for CFOs is improving access to information, which is

tightly linked to improving performance management. Further, the survey results
show that CFOs overwhelmingly view information as a critical, yet underutilized,
corporate asset. Nearly 70 percent of CFOs view information as a major asset
justifying significant investment, and nearly as many, 64 percent, believe that they
could manage information better.

Thus, it is no surprise that 65 percent of CFOs say that measuring and monitoring
business performance is one of their highest priorities for allocating time and
resources in support of shareholder value creation. Commensurate with their shift in
role, the survey finds a shift in focus from “back-office” to “front-office” activities when
compared to previous surveys.

Figure 3. Top areas of focus, in percent.

Supporting CEO in creating 68

shareholder value
Measuring/Monitoring 65
business performance

Managing governance/Controls/Risk 54

Driving cost reduction/Continuous 52

process improvement

Managing the balance sheet 39

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

Source: IBM Business Consulting Services 2003 Global CFO Survey.

3 CFOs: Rising to the challenge of performance management IBM Business Consulting Services