A recent survey by Gartner, reveals that only 48% of digital initiatives achieve or surpass their intended business outcomes. The findings, based on responses from over 3,100 CIOs and technology leaders globally, alongside more than 1,100 executives from other business areas, highlight the challenges organizations face in aligning digital transformation efforts with strategic goals. However, a subset of leaders, known as the “Digital Vanguard,” reported higher success, with 71% of their digital projects meeting or exceeding targets.
Raf Gelders, VP of Research at Gartner, explained that members of this Digital Vanguard distinguish themselves by jointly managing digital initiatives, involving both CIOs and CxOs in the development and implementation processes. This co-ownership model deviates from the traditional approach where IT departments handle digital projects, and business leaders primarily sponsor them.
The survey data, presented at the Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo in Barcelona, indicates that CIOs in the EMEA region are focused on technology investments that drive business intelligence and security, with over 80% planning to increase spending on cybersecurity, AI and generative AI (GenAI), as well as business intelligence and data analytics in 2025. According to Daniel Sanchez-Reina, VP Analyst at Gartner, these Digital Vanguard CIOs ensure these technologies are accessible to technologists beyond IT departments, thereby promoting broader digital capability within organizations. Roughly 26% of non-IT business staff are currently involved in developing or managing technology solutions.
Meanwhile, 43% of EMEA CIOs are expected to decrease investments in legacy infrastructure and data centers, primarily due to shifts toward cloud-based solutions. Conversely, 33% anticipate increasing investment in on-premise infrastructure, partially driven by experimentation with GenAI applications.
The survey also reflects an apparent gap in workforce development, with only 14% of EMEA CIOs prioritizing enterprise-wide technology workforce building, potentially limiting the impact of digital investments. Additionally, just 19% of EMEA CIOs intend to foster technology leadership skills outside IT departments. Sanchez-Reina noted that a broader approach to digital skills and interdepartmental technology leadership is critical for organizations aspiring to join the Digital Vanguard.
