There is a change in the data collected by Celent for its annual survey of insurance IT leaders. A new word—innovation—has made its way into the title for the recent survey: 2012 U.S. Insurance CIO Survey: Pressures, Priorities—and Innovation.

Among the findings, according to Donald Light, senior analyst with Celent and co-author of the report with Craig Weber:

• CIOs have three top-of-mind challenges: delivery; IT strategy and resource management; innovation and emerging technologies.
• Business is asking IT to focus on growth and profitability.
• Several emerging technologies will grow significantly over the next three years including: social media for marketing, for internal users, and for claims; and mobile apps for mobile staffs and for customers.

Light explains that delivery challenges and resource management are perennial issues for insurance CIOs.

"Delivery becomes easier with more resources, but you only get the resources you can afford," said Light. "Growth is fairly optimistic. The year-after-year growth in budgets is optimistic for 2012."