In order to investigate how firms appoint and manage successful CIOs, this study reviews previous literatures and finds major factors affecting the performance of CIOs, Eight factors are found and classified into two groups based on time horizon characteristics: ex ante factors before appointment and ex post factors after appointment. These eight factors are also re-classified into three groups based on the degree of interaction between CIOs and CEOs: CIO factors, CEO factors, and interaction factors between CIOs and CEOs. In order to investigate how these sub-groups affect the performance of CIOs, we have conducted case studies on 6 firms that are considered to have successful CIOs. The results indicate that ex ante factors, for instance, a factor whether the CIO is appointed from inside or outside of the firm, need to be carefully considered for the successful ex post management of CIO positions. This study derives several managerial guidelines and finally proposes a future research model for empirical studies.