According to Gartner, only 48% of digital initiatives across enterprises achieve their targeted business outcomes. However, a select group of CIOs and CxOs, known as the “Digital Vanguard,” significantly outperform this average, with 71% of their digital initiatives meeting or exceeding expectations. This article delves into the factors that distinguish these digital leaders and explores the evolving roles of CIOs and CxOs in digital transformation.

The Digital Vanguard's Success

• Definition: The Digital Vanguard is a small group of CIOs and CxOs characterized by high achievement rates in digital initiatives.
• Key Insight: They co-own digital delivery, marking a shift from traditional IT delivery models where project sponsorship was primarily the responsibility of business leaders.

Key Findings from Gartner's 2025 CIO and Technology Executive Survey

• Survey Overview: Conducted with over 3,186 CIOs and technology executives across 88 countries, supplemented by insights from 1,126 CxOs.
• Revenue Representation: The survey represents approximately $17.6 trillion in revenue and $351 billion in IT spending.

Characteristics of Digital Vanguard CxOs

• Personal Commitment: Digital vanguard CxOs allocate more time and resources to digital initiatives.
• Collaboration: They collaborate closely with CIOs, meeting four times more often than their counterparts.
• Staff Allocation: They dedicate 35% of their business area staff to technology work, compared to 21% for other CxOs.

The Role of CIOs in Enabling Digital Transformation

• Nurturing Leadership: Digital vanguard CIOs play a crucial role in guiding their CxO peers to co-lead digital initiatives.
• Shared Success: The success of CIOs is increasingly tied to the success of CxOs, emphasizing the need for collaboration in digital projects.

Investment Trends in Technology

• Future Investments: Over 80% of CIOs plan to increase investments in foundational capabilities, such as cybersecurity, AI/GenAI, and data analytics.
• Accessibility: Digital vanguard CIOs ensure that technologies are user-friendly for technologists outside of IT, which is crucial for enhancing enterprise-wide productivity.

Shifting Focus from Legacy Systems

• Legacy Infrastructure: 43% of CIOs anticipate reducing investments in legacy systems, favoring cloud-based solutions.
• On-Premise Experiments: Some organizations continue to invest in legacy infrastructure for experimentation with GenAI solutions.

Developing a Comprehensive Technology Workforce

• Workforce Priorities: Only 16% of CIOs plan to build a technology workforce beyond IT departments, limiting the potential for maximizing digital investments.
• Leadership Sharing: Only 18% of CIOs prioritize sharing technology leadership across business areas, which is essential for fostering a digital vanguard.

Conclusion

To thrive in digital transformation, organizations need to embrace the Digital Vanguard model, where CIOs and CxOs collaborate closely. By focusing on building a comprehensive technology workforce and investing in user-friendly technologies, businesses can increase the success rates of their digital initiatives and drive sustainable growth.