Big data investment continued to increase in 2015, though at a slower pace compared to previous years, a Gartner survey showed Wednesday.
More than 25 percent of companies are investing or planning to invest in big data in the next two years, the survey among 437 Gartner Research Circle Members revealed.
“This year begins the shift of big data away from a topic unto itself, and toward standard practices,” said Nick Heudecker, research director at Gartner.
“The topics that formerly defined big data, such as massive data volumes, disparate data sources and new technologies are becoming familiar as big data solutions become mainstream.”
Gartner noted that organizations typically have multiple goals for big data initiatives, such as enhancing the customer experience, streamlining existing processes, achieving more targeted marketing and reducing costs.
As in previous years, organizations are overwhelmingly targeting enhanced customer experience as the primary goal of big data projects.
“As big data becomes the new normal, information and analytics leaders are shifting focus from hype to finding value,” said Lisa Kart, research director at Gartner.
When asked about return on investment for big data efforts, Gartner said the majority of those companies with plans to invest in big data and those that have invested, expect a positive return.
At the same time, 43 percent don’t know if their ROI will be positive or negative. Gartner said this uncertainty highlights the challenges in determining the value of big data projects.
Further, the agency said 32 percent of big data projects were initiated by the CIO in 2015, while 31 percent by business unit heads. This compares with 37 percent and 25 percent, respectively in 2014. Gartner calls it as a significant change.
“Business leaders are taking a more active role in information and analytics projects as awareness of the value of data-driven decision making grows,” said Heudecker.
Arya MM
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