Gartner Data & Analytics Summit 2024 London: Day 2 Highlights

We are bringing you news and highlights from the Gartner Data & Analytics Summit, taking place this week in London, U.K. Below is a collection of the key announcements and insights coming out of the conference. You can read the highlights from Day 1 here.

On Day 2 from the conference, we are highlighting the skills and traits required to become a great CDAO, exploring best practices for generative AI (GenAI) projects, as well as sharing must-have skills for AI and D&A. Be sure to check this page throughout the day for updates.

Presented by Sally Parker, Sr Director Analyst, Gartner

How can executive leaders assess if a particular job is a good fit for their organization’s aspirations? What is the role of the chief data & analytics officer (CDAO) andwhat common challenges do CDAOs face? In this session, Sally Parker, Sr Director Analyst at Gartner, answered these questions and outlined 4 critical steps to laying a solid foundation for success.

• “We define the CDAO role as a business leadership role that leverages the organization’s D&A assets and ecosystem to provide value.”

• “A strong CDAO will embody and balance three key traits: orchestration, innovation and execution.” 

• “CDAOs who display the behaviors/traits of a seasoned executive are more successful than those who still think of themselves as just a team/project/program leader.”

• “Lay a solid foundation to become a successful CDAO.” 

  • Understand what drives the business and stated outcomes – this is the WHY; build your strategy around this.

  • Understand WHO has a vested interest in these outcomes and HOW you will collaborate with them.

  • Tell the story and start to foster a data driven culture.

  • Identify your strengths and opportunities for growth. 

• “CDAOs who base their D&A strategies on corporate strategies and visions are more successful than those CDAOs who are disconnected from corporate strategy.”

Presented by Wilco van Ginkel, Sr Principal Analyst, Gartner

Generative AI (GenAI) promises to be one of the most transformative technology trends of this decade. In this session, Wilco van Ginkel, Sr Principal Analyst at Gartner, discussed best practices for deploying GenAI projects.

• “Through 2025, at least 30% of GenAI projects will be abandoned after proof of concept due to poor data quality, inadequate risk controls, escalating costs or unclear business value.”

• “GenAI initiatives need to scale from a few users to thousands and eventually should be deployed across the enterprise. Scaling GenAI requires a systematic approach to build versus buy decisions for the many potential use cases in the organization.”

• “GenAI creates not only new opportunities, but also new risks. Without a clear responsible AI framework, organizations will struggle to balance the benefits and risks of this technology.”

• “Unlike traditional AI, GenAI is poised for active and direct use by a large segment of employees. This broad deployment requires a strong emphasis on AI literacy: the ability to utilize AI in context with competency to identify relevant use cases.”

• “A product-centric delivery model, where timelines are ongoing and designed to continuously enhance customer value until the service or product is phased out, is critical for GenAI applications.”

Presented by Jorgen Heizenberg, VP Analyst, Gartner

Being successful with data & analytics (D&A) is not as much about tools and technologies as it is about people. In this session, Jorgen Heizenberg, VP Analyst at Gartner, discussed the must-have roles for D&A teams, as well as how to build and develop the right skills and competencies.

• “All D&A roles are a combination of IT skills, like Python or SQL; data and analytics skills, like ETL or enterprise business intelligence; business or domain expertise, like marketing or supply chain; and soft skills, like communication or empathy.”
  
• “D&A roles should be defined by a 3-tier model.”
  
• “Global is about the entire enterprise. You will find leading roles there. Often in the central D&A team or center of excellence (CoE). A chief data officer falls under this tier.”
  
• “Regional is more decentralized or federated. For example, by function, process, geography or brand.”
  
• “Finally, there are local roles. Within a specific department, project or community, people work with D&A, without being D&A people. For example, somebody in procurement that uses analytics to develop a quick overview of contractors.”
• “It’s key to rethink the definition of ‘qualified’ talent. Reduce or even eliminate arbitrary requirements around education, location or experience, to capture talent that might otherwise be screened out."

Learn more in the Gartner expert Q&A “AI Is Creating New Roles and Skills in Data & Analytics.”