Gartner IT Infrastructure, Operations & Cloud Strategies Conference 2024 London: Day 2 Highlights

We are bringing you news and highlights from the Gartner IT Infrastructure, Operations and Cloud Strategies Conference, taking place this week in London. 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 discussing how organizations can develop their infrastructure & operations (I&O) automation strategy in 30 minutes or less, how I&O leaders can mitigate resistance to AI implementation, and how they leverage alternative team structures to assist with skills development. Be sure to check this page throughout the day for updates.

• Gartner Forecasts Worldwide Public Cloud End-User Spending to Total $723 Billion in 2025

Presented by Chris Saunderson, Sr Director Analyst, Gartner

Building an infrastructure and operations (I&O) automation strategy can be challenging. In this session, Chris Saunderson, Sr Director Analyst at Gartner, discussed how organizations can develop their I&O automation strategy in 30 minutes or less.

• “The first step in building an automation strategy is establishing a clear vision, which defines its objectives and sets the framework for stakeholders, teams, and desired outcomes.”

• There are two levels of vision for applying automation:

  • Enable Your Teams: Use automation to enhance your teams’ performance.
  • Enable Your Organization: Ensure your team is part of a broader organizational automation initiative.

• “There are three steps to building an effective automation strategy, which include understanding the context, setting the direction, and defining the actions.”

• “I&O leaders need to build a minimum viable strategy, and plan to iterate.”
• “When documenting your automation strategy, the idea is to be simple and concise in your strategy and verbose in your execution plan.”

Journalists can receive additional information and/or request an interview with the Gartner expert by contacting Laurence Goasduff at laurence.goasduff@gartner.com.

Presented by Autumn Stanish, Director Analyst, Gartner

Employees are experiencing significant fear and uncertainty about artificial intelligence (AI) implementation, questioning their job security, and pushing back against their organizations’ AI efforts. In this session, Autumn Stanish, Director Analyst at Gartner, explained how  infrastructure and operations (I&O) leaders can communicate effectively to address this uncertainty, instill confidence in their teams, and ensure successful AI project implementations.

• “Gartner predicts through 2027, at least 60% of AI initiatives will fail to meet expectations due to unmanaged change resistance from impacted staff.”  

• By addressing the following three key areas, I&O leaders can mitigate resistance to AI implementation:

  - Determine how AI can support your I&O strategies and its impact on staff.

  - Involve employees through co-creation.

  - Address emotional responses and wellbeing.

• “I&O leaders must review and prioritize AI opportunities in terms of organizational value, productivity improvements and cost saving, staff competence, and redefining the way I&O works.”

• “To overcome fears and support key business goals, lead with transparent communication, which is paramount in navigating the human consequences of AI adoption.”

• “Rapid AI development can create a paradigm shift. I&O leaders must continually assess and adjust AI initiatives to ensure any impact on staff aligns with the planning.”

Journalists can receive additional information and/or request an interview with the Gartner expert by contacting Laurence Goasduff at laurence.goasduff@gartner.com.

Presented by Mark Cleary, Sr Director Analyst, Gartner

The pace of change in infrastructure and operations (I&O) is accelerating, driven by rapid technological advancements, evolving business requirements, and high employee turnover, making skill development more challenging than ever. In this session, Mark Cleary, Senior Director Analyst at Gartner, explained how to identify gaps between existing and required skills and address the challenges of skills development to drive business success.

• “Current upskilling approaches are ineffective. I&O leaders should build an environment of continuous learning to meet changing digital business needs.”  

• “Competencies and non-technical skills such as creative thinking significantly matter and need to be emphasized as critical by I&O leaders.”

• “Improve skills forecasting by running a planning session with your leadership team, treating it like a virtual workshop where each direct report contributes their insights on changing skill demands within their team.”

• “Adopting a cross-functional approach, like building fusion teams, creates adaptive workflows and encourages employees to value upskilling.”

• “I&O leaders looking to fully leverage GenAI capabilities need to branch beyond IT skills and develop a domain understanding of the business while also expanding specific AI skills.”

Journalists can receive additional information and/or request an interview with the Gartner expert by contacting Laurence Goasduff at laurence.goasduff@gartner.com.