2017 Digital IQ

Since 2007, PwC’s Digital IQ research has examined how far organizations have come and what’s needed to unlock value from the next generation of digital technologies.

Key findings:

• There’s a connection between organizations that have more comprehensive digital strategies and those that achieve stronger financial performance.
• Digital progress is fairly consistent. In 2007, the average digital IQ was similar across industries. The same largely holds true today, with some exceptions (agribusiness and mining have fallen behind).
• Yesterday’s technology investments are today’s building blocks. Data mining and analysis, search technologies, service-oriented architecture and virtual collaboration were top-of-mind technologies in 2007. Attention then shifted to mobile technologies, data security and cloud. Today, emerging technologies such as the internet of things and artificial intelligence are seen as the next big things.
• CEOs have become champions for digital. Just 33 per cent of the executives in the 2007 survey said their CEO was a champion for digital — that number climbed through the years to reach 68 per cent today.
• The CIO has earned a seat at the table. A minority (40 per cent) of executives said the CIO was significantly involved in strategic planning in 2007 — today the CIO has strong relationships with other senior leaders and often oversees digital strategy and investments. With the growing importance of digital, the CIO is also joined by new roles like the chief digital officer or chief data officer, whose roles also focus on the strategic use of technology.
• Attention to the human experience indicates superior strategy. In 2007, a focus on the customer experience correlated with high strategic digital IQ. Respondents who focus on creating better customer experiences today also report better digital strategies and stronger financial performance.