Aussie innovation lagging despite transformation buzz

Recent research by AppDynamics has found 88% of Australian IT professionals believe that their organisation lags behind competitors in terms of skills, qualities and knowledge related to innovation.

The 'Agents of Transformation' report revealed that almost half of respondents see themselves and their organisations as lagging more than five years behind in technology.

Last year's Global Innovation Index by INSEAD highlighted Australia's continuing decline in innovation performance, with Australia ranked just 23rd in the world.

Other key Australian-specific insights

53% of IT professionals say that their organisation does not encourage technology professionals to embrace the creative, future-proofing side of technology.

24% of Australian IT professionals say that innovation is neither encouraged or rewarded at their company.

56% of technologists say there is a surplus of outdated technology within their IT department.

62% of technologists say too much of their time is spent keeping existing software and systems up and running to focus on innovation.

49% do not have access to the software and tools they need to turn data into real-time, context-specific insight.

Only 18% of technologists are completely optimistic that their organisation is ready for the rapid pace of technological advancement.

66% of IT professionals worry that technology innovation is outpacing society's ability to harness it and adapt to change.

4% of Australian technologists are Agents of Transformation, but the research points to a need for retail organisations to have as many as 43% of their technologists operating as Agents of Transformation in order to compete over the next ten years.

Huge opportunity for technologists

Technologists view digital transformation and innovation as a huge opportunity for them personally, with 94% identifying at least one factor that excites them about becoming an Agent of Transformation.

69% of technologists care deeply about how technology is changing the world.

77% believe that emerging technologies will give them opportunities to develop their skills and their careers.

67% want their career to leave a lasting and positive legacy.

The time to act is now

The potential implications for enterprises without Agents of Transformation include:

• An inability to drive or complete innovation initiatives (36%).

• Competitive or financial repercussions (33%).

• A detrimental impact on customer experience (34%).

• Difficulties recruiting new talent (33%).

• A lack of positive role models for existing talent to emulate (37%).

What's more, around half (46%) of respondents reported feeling overlooked by their organisation, and 49% are likely to leave their current organisations within the next two years.

Barriers to overcome

Cultural:

88% of IT professionals think their organisation lags behind the most forward/innovative IT team in their country in terms of skills, qualities and knowledge, and 46% see themselves lagging more than five years behind.

53% of respondents say their organisation does not encourage technology professionals to embrace the creative, future-looking side of technology.

50% of technologists' day-to-day activity is having a positive impact on the business or driving innovation.

Leadership and job satisfaction:

Only 19% of IT directors and managers feel their full potential is being achieved in their current role.

62% of technologists say too much of their time is spent keeping existing software and systems up and running.

56% say that often their work in IT is so reactive, they forget what attracted them to technology in the first place.

Outdated tools and skills:

56% of technologists say there is a surplus of outdated technology within their IT department.

49% do not have access to the software and tools they need to turn data into real-time, context-specific insight.

49% do not have access to the data they need to achieve innovation goals.