| | November 20169CIOReviewThe CapMetro app has been very successful and it has generated, to date, millions of dollars of ticket sales and hundreds of thousands of downloads and usage continues to increase significantly. Additionally, this solution has received many innovation awards each year since its' initial launch.In addition to the customer/traveler benefits and the recognition received--a key point is that--innovation breeds innovation. Technology companies and others will be more inclined to partner with an organization that is not only willing and able to try something new but, also, if there has been some prior success with innovation projects. Additionally, innovation spawns other opportunities. For example, Capital Metro success with mobile ticketing and other innovations such as smart infrastructure supporting vehicle movements and real-time open data have been factors in Austin being selected, in 2015, as the lead city in nation for the Mobility Transformation Initiative that is being facilitated by the Rocky Mountain Institute. Another example was Austin being selected, this year, as a finalist in the Smart City Challenge by the US Department of Transportation.Innovation is like so many things--easier said than done--especially when you consider not only competing priorities but, also, the resistance that might be encountered or the cultural change required. That is why there is increasing discussion of "Bi-Modal Approach" to projects--one mode that has been in existence for decades addressing traditional projects and systems--and now a second newer mode focused on innovation projects which require not only an agile project development methodology but, really needs to address the mindset and process changes needed throughout the organization to address the full life cycle of exploration, budgeting, acquisition/procurement, project management, development, testing, marketing, piloting, launching, refreshes and leveraging investments.CIO's today are undoubtedly faced with many challenges including Internal Systems Modernization and Support, On-premises and Cloud Infrastructure, Cyber Security, Data Management, Staffing, Vendor and Project Management, just to name a few. The good news is that there are opportunities everywhere including emerging technologies such as Advanced Mobile Technology, Internet-of-Things, Autonomous Devices and Vehicles, 3D Printing and Gigabit Wireless Communications. Developing a balanced portfolio that includes customer-focused innovation is a critical success factor, which will result in not only serving your customers but, also, will yield additional opportunities as we move into the future. Developing a balanced portfolio that includes customer focused innovation is a critical success factor
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