Careers in Infocomm

As Group Chief Information Officer of Neptune Orient Lines (NOL), Ms Wu Choy Peng steers IT for the global container shipping and logistics company. She plays an instrumental role in architecting NOL’s overarching IT plan to transform the business through a Replacement and Modernisation of Legacy Systems (REMODEL) programme, and implementing technologies that can create competitive advantage in a “hyper-growth, hyper-competitive market”. Ms Wu, who was recently honoured as the Singapore Computer Society’s 2012 IT Leader of the Year, talks about her infocomm career in the public and private sector, and the importance of being able to articulate the business value of IT.

How did you get started in infocomm?

I studied Computing as an “A” level subject. I liked the challenge of breaking down a big problem into manageable, inter-related components, and getting the computer to solve the problem systematically and logically.

I went on to study Computer and Communication Science and Mathematics at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, under a scholarship from the then-National Computer Board (NCB). I also did my Master of Science for Computer Science and Engineering from the same university.

When I came back, my first job was with the NCB’s Government Systems Division, working on some office automation projects. I started work in May 1987, so I have worked for almost 25 years in the IT industry.

What are some of the key infocomm roles that you have taken on in the course of your career?

Before joining NOL, I was the Government’s Chief Information Officer for six years and also held the position of Deputy Chief Executive (Industry) of the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore. There, I led a team of 650 IT professionals in managing the IT needs of government agencies.

Other posts I have held included that of CIO of the Ministry of Education (MOE) and the Cluster Chief of the Public Services Cluster in the then-National Computer Board. As the Cluster Chief, I led the conceptualisation of eCitizen – a virtual one-stop centre for the delivery of public services.

What, in your mind, were some of the significant milestones in your career?

As CIO of the MOE in 1997, I was in charge of the IT Branch and the Masterplan Project Office. Under the 1st Masterplan for IT Education, a significant amount of IT infrastructure and systems had to be implemented in the schools within a short time. I honed my skills in IT outsourcing, project and programme management in MOE. The job was also very operational, and less conceptual. It was a tremendous learning experience.

My role as Group CIO of NOL was also a big change for me. I have learnt much about the transportation and logistics industry, providing the IT capabilities to a truly global company, and working with people from different countries and cultures.

Describe your current role as Group CIO of Neptune Orient Lines.

I am responsible for all the IT policies, standards, systems, services and projects for the group.  Covering all aspects of global cargo container transportation and logistics, the NOL Group’s business offerings are delivered through two principal operating brands: APL and APL Logistics.  APL is a global container transportation company, providing services to more than 100 countries through a network combining world-class intermodal operations with leading-edge IT and e-commerce. APL Logistics provides international end-to-end logistics services for global customers employing the latest IT and data connectivity for maximum supply chain visibility and control.

What the main skill sets needed for the job?

The CIO job requires a broad understanding of technologies; an ability to identify opportunities for technologies to deliver business value; the communications skills to articulate the value of IT systems and projects; and the project management skills and experience to ensure on-time, on-budget and on-target delivery of IT systems and projects. Most importantly, the CIO is a leader, who must have all the requisite leadership and management skills to lead the IT function for the organisation.

Looking back, what have been the skills/competencies that have helped you advance in your career? How can these be developed?

Many people have told me that I am good at explaining how technologies work, and why a particular IT system or project is important to the business. I think this means I am a good communicator. I am able to make technologies easy-to-understand and compelling. I am able to articulate the business value of a particular technology, system or project.

I have a broad understanding of technologies. More importantly, I am genuinely interested in business processes and like to work on using technologies to streamline them and improve productivity and effectiveness. Likewise, IT capabilities that generate value for external customers translate directly to new revenue from old and new customers for the business.

There is no short cut to developing competencies. I would strongly encourage every IT professional to treat each project, each customer interaction, each user meeting, each vendor briefing, as a learning experience.

Were there any major challenges that you encountered over the past 25 years and how did you overcome them?

My career has been rather smooth-sailing, and I cannot quite put my finger on specific problems.  But there have been unsuccessful projects.

In 1996, I was a member of a project team for an Electronic Procurement System for the whole of government. It never got off the ground. There were many reasons why the project failed. To me, the key factor was the absence of a strong project champion and sponsor who could standardise policies and procedures across government agencies. Maybe this is the reason why I insist that every IT project is business-driven, not CIO-driven. Even if the idea comes from IT, IT should drive from the back, not the front.

What are some words of wisdom that you would like to share with readers?

They would be about “Achievement”, as defined by Robert Louis Stevenson:

That man is a success who has lived well, laughed often and loved much;

• Who has filled his niche and accomplished his task;
• Who leaves the world better than he found it;
• Who looked for the best in others and gave the best he had.