Although some studies suggest that the COO position is being eliminated, this new study by The Conference Board reveals, instead, that the role is evolving, based on a company's situation. The responsibilities of the COO position have gradually changed from oversight of a company's line of business to becoming more contingent on senior management's needs for the company at a specific point in time and the CEO's corporate leadership design preferences. This report includes a description of the environments that contribute to the role change; ways in which the COO role is being redefined, including three design options for roles of the C-suite; a three-step analysis companies can use to determine whether they need a COO; and two case studies.

Topics covered:

• The Changing Responsibilities of The COO
• The COO Role Becomes Situational
• Redefining the Role of the COO
• Do You Need a COO?
• The Key Challenge of the CEO–COO Relationship
• Conclusion: What's the Bottom Line?
• Company Examples:

- E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
- Company X