Half of IT leaders lack confidence in their teams

More than half (51%) of global IT leaders lack confidence in their own teams’ ability to enact positive change over the next five years, according to research commissioned by Pegasystems.

A survey of 10 countries in APAC, Europe and the Americas, conducted by iResearch, found that 17% of IT leaders have no or only little confidence in the ability of their teams to navigate the challenges ahead.

These worries are compounded by poor technology choices, with nearly two-thirds of respondents admitting to have wasted between US$1 million and US$10 million on the wrong IT solutions over the past five years. Meanwhile, only 12% reported that all their IT investments had paid off over the period.

But the study also found that the IT function is being transformed, with 68% of IT leaders reporting that digital transformation has allowed them to disperse responsibility to other functions, and 54% by delegating it to others.

Another projected change is the need for IT specialists to diversify their skills with new training and development. Around 78% of senior managers and 76% of managers said ongoing, lifelong learning will have either a big or transformational impact on them.

But even as IT leaders report that technology is starting to relieve them of the routine administrative work they have to do today, 67% also believe that their workloads are set to significantly increase as IT becomes more an increasingly valued part of the business.

Pegasystems CTO Don Schuerman said the results demonstrate that the IT function will undergo significant changes over the next three to five years.

“The accelerated pace of digital transformation has put IT leaders front and centre. It’s also taught many within organisations the strategic value these teams can provide if they are given the tools and the opportunity to be creative, collaborative and focus their efforts on the areas where they can best add value,” he said.

“All of this will lead to better decision-making; more diverse, skilled workforces; and a more open, united way of working that will help to crush complexity and deliver better outcomes.”

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/Friends Stock