Understanding the Gartner Business Technologist Role

Key Highlights

• Business technologists are transforming how organizations approach technology and analytics.
• They build tech and analytics capabilities outside IT, driving digital initiatives.
• Gartner research highlights a significant rise in business technologists across industries.
• Companies effectively supporting this role are more likely to accelerate digital transformation.
• Collaborative governance is crucial to empower business technologists while maintaining security.

Introduction

In today’s fast-changing digital world, businesses are going through major changes. Gartner research shows that a new important role has emerged: the business technologist. This role marks an important change in how companies see and use technology to grow their business. The Gartner Business Technologist plays a pivotal role in bridging the gap between business objectives and technological capabilities. They are key players in driving digital initiatives and fostering innovation through strategic use of technology and analytics. As organizations increasingly rely on data-driven insights for decision-making, the rise of business technologists across industries is a clear indication of the shifting landscape. To effectively leverage this role and drive the value of it, companies and their IT leaders must embrace collaborative governance to empower these individuals while upholding security standards. By recognizing and supporting the contributions of business technologists, organizations can propel their digital transformation journey towards success.

The Evolution of the Business Technologist Role

Technology used to be limited to IT departments. Now, it is spreading into all parts of business. Business technologists show this change by working outside the usual IT setups, but often reporting directly to a CIO. Amongst Gartner clients, they use their skills to meet specific business needs, be they data scientists, domain experts or of another professional origin. This change highlights the growing need for tech skills in different departments. The evolution of the business technologist role represents a significant shift in how organizations approach technology integration. As businesses strive to stay ahead in the ever-evolving digital landscape, including massive leaps forward in subjects such as artificial intelligence and robotic process automation, the role of a business technologist becomes increasingly crucial. These individuals possess a unique blend of business acumen and technical expertise, enabling them to drive innovation and digital initiatives through technology delivery across various departments. By breaking away from traditional IT structures, business technologists pave the way for technology to permeate all aspects of an organization, aligning technological capabilities with strategic business objectives.

From IT Departments to Business Units

This change shows that IT departments are no longer the only ones in charge of technology. Business technologists help connect technology with business goals, improving digital business outcomes, often becoming the key actor in the relationship between business strategy and software engineers. They know how to build analytics capabilities and use them to solve specific problems in their areas. Because of this shift, technology can be used more quickly and has a bigger effect on external business use. The evolution of the business technologist role signifies a fundamental shift in how organizations leverage technology to drive innovation and achieve strategic objectives. No longer confined to IT departments, these individuals play a pivotal role in integrating technology and application development across various business units. By bridging the gap between technology and business goals, business technologists enable timely deployment of tech solutions and enhance their impact on external business operations. As organizations navigate the complex digital landscape, the expertise of business technologists becomes indispensable, their primary job being to propel successful digital transformation journeys and digital commerce platforms that are core to business strategy.

The Impact on Traditional IT Roles

The growth of business technologists does not take away from traditional IT roles. Instead, it changes how those roles work. IT departments now have to focus on empowering these technologists. This includes giving them the right tools, rules, and support they need to use their digital capabilities effectively. The rise of business technologists marks a pivotal shift in organizational dynamics, where aligning technological capabilities with strategic business objectives takes precedence. As technology permeates every aspect of modern businesses, the traditional boundaries separating IT departments from other business units blur. Business technologists bridge this gap by leveraging their expertise to drive innovation and address specific challenges within their domains. This evolution not only accelerates the adoption of technology but also enhances its impact on overall business operations. While traditional IT roles remain crucial, their focus now shifts towards empowering and supporting these new-age technologists to maximize the potential of digital tools effectively.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the role of the Business Technologist is changing. It is moving from just IT departments to becoming an important part of business units. This change affects traditional IT roles. It encourages a better and more collaborative way of using technology in organizations. Business Technologists are now key players. They connect business and IT to drive innovation and digital transformation. They help align technology with the goals of businesses. Embracing this new role can help businesses adapt and remain successful in the fast-changing world of technology and enterprise. Embracing the role of business technologists is essential for organizations looking to thrive in today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape. By bridging the gap between technology and business objectives, these professionals drive innovation and ensure that digital tools are utilized effectively to enhance overall operations. The shift towards empowering business technologists signifies a fundamental change in organizational dynamics, where collaboration and alignment between IT and other business units are prioritized. This evolution not only accelerates technological adoption but also enhances its impact on the bottom line.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Defines a Gartner Business Technologist?

A business technologist, as stated by Gartner, works outside the usual IT area. They focus on creating technology and analytics capabilities. Raf Gelders, who is the research vice president at Gartner, highlights that these professionals offer objective insight. They help connect technology and business together.

How Are Business Technologists Changing the Landscape of Business and IT?

They help with digital transformation by working closely with business groups. They apply best practices to solve specific business problems. This teamwork with business leaders makes sure that technology work matches important goals. As a result, there is a dramatic growth in how well technology is used.