Numerous research studies over the past few years have concluded that IT spending is increasingly happening outside of the IT department. A report from Harvard Business Review backs up this sentiment, while also warning that it could be a troubling trend given the low levels of digital knowledge and skills that exist outside of IT. In fact, the report revealed significant gaps between the level of digital know-how needed, and what actually exists across business functions.
Is it necessary for everyone in the business to become an IT expert? Not really. But with nearly half (49 percent) of respondents indicating that “their department occasionally or frequently initiates IT projects with little or no direct involvement of IT,” CIOs should know where the biggest gaps lie so they can partner with their business peers to drive digital transformation.
Below is an excerpt from the report that shows the discrepancies between where digital knowledge is needed, and where it actually exists, based on responses from more than 430 global business leaders. The chart also highlights how the scores from companies that HBR calls Digital Leaders compares to those from Laggards and Followers.
Curious about where your company's biggest knowledge gaps are? Download the HBR report “Driving Digital Transformation: New Skills for Leaders, New Role for the CIO” to learn what CIOs can do to ensure everyone in the business – not just those within IT – are well informed on the digital skills and technologies that they need to succeed.
