We are bringing you news and highlights from the Gartner Data & Analytics Summit, taking place this week virtually in India. Below is a collection of the key announcements, and insights coming out of the conference.
On Day 1 from the conference, we are highlighting the Gartner opening keynote and sessions explaining how to build a foundation for modern data and analytics strategy and a five-step formula to build an artificial intelligence strategy.
Presented by Gareth Herschel, VP Analyst, Gartner
In today’s ever-changing world, it’s critical to take the time to pause and think about what is important. For data and analytics (D&A) leaders, what’s most important is change. In the Opening Keynote session, Gareth Herschel, VP Analyst at Gartner, shared how D&A leaders can extend their influence across the enterprise and succeed in a continuously changing world.
“The last year has been incredibly challenging but our organizations have recognized that when so many things are changing so rapidly, they need to invest in people and systems that will help make sense of that change, and respond to it.”
“We need to do the things the CEO cares about, like helping enable a transformation of our business model, identify the changes sweeping our industry before anyone else, optimize the way we manage our resources, and figure out new ways to connect employees, customers, and other stakeholders.”
“Real change means changing people and processes, not just technology.”
“Take the time to identify the leaders most willing to change. You can inspire them to move from the old ways of doing things and toward a future where data and analytics enable new success.”
“We live in a world of necessary and continuous innovation, so we need technology and processes that are designed to help us keep up with change.”
“If we want our colleagues to use data and analysis, then we need to focus on the point where they do so: the decision. Data without a decision is a distraction.”
“We have a profound opportunity to extend the influence of data and analytics by embedding analytics in every decision.”
Learn more in the Gartner press release, “Gartner Highlights Three Actions for Data & Analytics Leaders to Succeed in a Changing World.”
Presented by Mike Rollings, Distinguished VP Analyst, Gartner
The role of data and analytics is changing, from being a discipline of itself to becoming a set of capabilities in support of the wider digital strategy or transformation, leaving many leaders wondering what their approach should look like. In this session, Mike Rollings, Distinguished VP Analyst at Gartner, outlined the best practices that have emerged for formulating a modern data and analytics strategy.
“Over three-quarters of data and analytics leaders are heavily involved in digital transformation initiatives in their organizations, according to our most recent CDO Survey.”
“Being engaged in strategy within your organization — and not the old kind of strategy, but one that is a business strategy infused with data and analytics thinking — is essential for your success.”
“Your data driven vision is that signpost on the road, that thing that you’re really trying to achieve as you start to become a data driven enterprise.”
“A critical part of strategy is not just figuring out what you’re doing with people today that adds value, but starting to push on unmet needs.”
“Make sure your strategy is linked to something that communicates value to your business peers.”
“The bottom line is that success is going to be determined by how much you change the conversation about data and analytics inside your enterprise.”
Learn how to use data & analytics to re-engineer decision making in the free Gartner e-book “The Future of Decisions.”
Presented by Erick Brethenoux, VP Analyst, Gartner
Organizations planning to implement artificial intelligence (A)I often make the mistake of focusing on defining an AI strategy and platforms rather than on business problems and organizational issues. In this session, Erick Brethenoux, VP Analyst at Gartner shares a five-step formula that CIOs can use to move from “I want to use AI” to creating an AI strategy in a pragmatic fashion.
Step 2 - Skills: “Talent required to build an AI asset usually comes from three sources - an AI specialist ; an IT professional who understands the current state of IT capabilities; and a subject matter expert (SME) who understands the business requirements and metrics.”
Step 3 - Data: “Create a data sandbox that is exclusive of data governance so that the people working with the data have the opportunity to be creative.”
Step 4 - Technology: Leverage AI techniques that are already integrated within the enterprise, use open-source libraries and platforms. D&A leaders also need to take into consideration the resources available to train algorithms and integrate with target systems, existing process automation software and adequate user interfaces to interact with those models.
Step 5 - Organization: “Identify gaps in skills, data and technology, but also gaps in culture, readiness and general education about the AI discipline within the organization.”
Gartner, Inc. (NYSE: IT) delivers actionable, objective insight to executives and their teams. Our expert guidance and tools enable faster, smarter decisions and stronger performance on an organization’s mission-critical priorities. To learn more, visit gartner.com.
Manasi Sakpal
Gartner
manasi.sakpal@gartner.com
