Gartner predicts that through 2017, the number of citizen data scientists will grow five times faster than the number of highly skilled data scientists.
“Information professionals face a choice: do I own information and analytics, at least my part of it, or do I support information management and analytics, but a much larger part of it,” White added.
“But neither choice provides the full solution.”
Bimodal IT
The solution, according to Gartner, lies in operating a bimodal IT approach.
In mode one, there are clear best practices, well-defined business cases, well understood business requirements and budgets.
There is a big focus on enterprise architecture, and security. Standards are important. The data needs to be accurate for wide re-use, and audit able.
Mode two involves being fluid, flexible and highly iterative. This is the domain of data discovery, big data, advanced analytics and the cloud, exploration and permission to fail.
Gartner research shows that 45 percent of organisations already have bimodal capability. By 2017, this will grow to 75 percent.
2) Certainty vs. Opportunity
Existing certainty versus new opportunities will always be need for standard management reporting, and integrated information, but the most impactful way to limit uncertainty is to take a different approach, according to Gartner research director Lisa Kart.
“The organisations most successful with big data and analytics are the ones that take an experimental approach," Kart added.
“They don’t immediately build a business case and put together a whole project team.
"By collecting more information, creating options for a more liquid IT strategy, and staging your commitments, the dilemma disappears.”