Gartner Survey: AI Disruption Spurs D&A Operating Model Evolution

Sixty-one percent of organizations are forced to evolve or rethink their data and analytics (D&A) operating model because of the impact of disruptive artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, according to Gartner, Inc.

The annual Gartner Chief Data & Analytics Officer (CDAO) survey was conducted from September through November 2023 among 479 chief data and analytics officers, chief data officers (CDO) and chief analytics officers (CAO) across the world.

“Responding to the rapid evolution of D&A and AI technologies, CDAOs are wasting no time in making changes to their operating model,” said Alan D. Duncan, Distinguished VP Analyst at Gartner. CDAOs are doing it to support data-driven innovation and accelerate organizational agility, with data governance at the core (see Figure 1). 

Figure 1: Evolution of D&A Operating Model to Pursue Innovation

Source: Gartner (April 2024)

When asked about changes CDAOs need to make to their D&A operating model to be fit for current and future purpose, 38% of CDAOs said that their D&A architecture will be overhauled over the next 12-18 months. Twenty-nine percent of respondents said they will revamp how they manage data assets and adopt and apply governance policies, practices and standards.

CDAOs Are Expanding Their Responsibilities 

“While the management of their organization’s D&A operating model is increasing year over year, no other role than the CDAO has the responsibility of many of the key enablers of AI, which include data governance, D&A ethics, and data and AI literacy,” said Duncan. “The scope of responsibilities of the CDAO role has also expanded as budget and resource constraints become even more of a problem.” 

Among the CDAO’s key responsibilities are managing the D&A strategy (74%) and D&A governance (68%). Being accountable for AI is also high on the CDAO’s agenda. The survey found that 49% of CDAOs said generative AI (GenAI) is within their scope of primary responsibilities. AI is within scope for 58% of CDAOs, which is an increase from 34% in 2023. 

CDAOs to Negotiate the Way D&A Is Funded

The expansion of responsibilities entails a significant cost for CDAOs. Among CDAOs who report a year-over-year increase in their function’s funding, 46% still report budget constraint as a challenge. “CDAOs who present better business cases to CFOs, receive better and quicker funding for their D&A initiatives. They also gain higher executive buy-in,” said Duncan. 

CDAOs must explain to the CFO how any change in D&A funding models aligns to the ratio of D&A value propositions as a utility, enabler or driver of the organization. “However, only 49% of surveyed CDAOs have established business outcome-driven metrics that allow stakeholders to track D&A value. In addition, 34% have not established business outcome metrics for D&A,” said Duncan. 

CDAOs need to grow their power and influence to make things happen. They also must understand the value levers and pain points of the organization end to end to showcase their value to the board. “If not, by 2026, 75% of CDAOs who fail to make organizationwide influence and measurable impact their top priority, will be assimilated into technology functions,” said Duncan.