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Digital Practitioners will Lead, Plan and Execute Change

We knew this day would come, where the leading enterprise industry analysts would all acknowledge that business technology has evolved. Moreover, the integration of digital requirements into most work processes has resulted in a world where every capable employee is potentially a skilled Digital Practitioner.

"Today's employees possess a greater degree of digital dexterity," said Matt Cain, research vice president at Gartner. "They operate their own wireless networks at home, attach and manage various devices, and use apps and Web services in almost every facet of their personal lives. They participate in sharing economies for transport, lodging and more."

Gartner believes that the traditional IT organizations must figure out how to effectively utilize all employee 'digital dexterity' -- somewhat regardless of their primary role and responsibilities.

Key Point: digital-savvy talent is in short supply, when restricted to just the typical IT support team. Therefore, tap into it, wherever you can find it. The digital expert that you seek may be hidden in plain view.

Gartner also believes that creating today's 'digital workplace' is a key business transformation strategy that promotes employee engagement through a more open, self-directed computing environment.

According to their assessment, making computing resources more accessible in ways that match employees' preferences will foster progress -- by providing empowerment and personal ownership.

The digital workplace strategy should therefore complement HR initiatives, by addressing and improving factors such as workplace culture, autonomous decision making, work-life balance, recognition of digital practitioner contributions and personal growth opportunities.

Over the next several years, Gartner predicts that IT spending will increasingly occur outside the consolidated IT budget. "Already, the Shadow IT investments often exceed 30 percent of total IT spend," said Mr. Cain. "This will only increase, because demand for new apps and services to pursue digital opportunities outstrips the capacity of the IT team to provide them."

At the same time, public cloud services will mature further, whereby power and influence will shift increasingly to those technically-savvy people who are frustrated by the slow pace of traditional enterprise IT.

With accelerating high-tech, Gartner said progressive organizations that can embrace and exploit new and emerging technologies will be in a position to reap a substantial competitive advantage. Besides, some of the more advanced practitioners believe they're ready, willing and able to help lead, plan and execute their company's digital business transformation agenda.

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