26 April 2025, Sat |
7:53 PM
SoftServe, an IT consulting and digital services provider, has released the results of its 2025 survey on data management. The survey, conducted by Wakefield Research, highlights significant gaps in data maturity across businesses while also showcasing the potential benefits of strong data foundations.
The survey included 750 business and technology leaders from global companies. The results reveal that 65% of respondents believe no one in their organization fully understands the data collected or knows how to access it. Additionally, 58% say their organizations often make key decisions based on inaccurate or inconsistent data. These findings raise serious concerns for businesses across various industries.
The survey examined data readiness in organizations, focusing on data quality, strategy, organization, investment, and governance. One key takeaway is the need for a refreshed data strategy. 73% of respondents believe their data strategies are outdated or misaligned, with nearly all (98%) agreeing that an updated strategy is essential for future initiatives, especially in areas like Generative AI.
A leadership divide is also evident. While 78% of VPs and 61% of directors recognize the issue, only 44% of C-suite executives believe that the lack of data comprehension impacts investment priorities. Furthermore, 60% of decision-makers face challenges in accessing data when they need it. For many, this issue is compounded by a belief that substantial investments in data management are needed to resolve it.
The survey also found that 73% of respondents feel that poor prioritization has diverted essential funds away from critical data projects. Instead, much of the investment has gone toward broader Generative AI initiatives, which have yielded weaker ROI.
Despite these challenges, the survey reveals the benefits of robust data management. Strong data foundations have helped organizations unlock new revenue streams (44%) and monetize their data (38%). Additionally, 54% report increased productivity and efficiency, while 49% have seen improvements in decision-making and forecasting.
Looking ahead, 85% of companies plan to increase their data budgets. Among those with a mature data strategy, 42% are preparing to significantly boost their data investments.
Rodion Myronov, AVP of Technology at SoftServe, emphasized the importance of prioritizing data maturity where it matters most. He stated, “An impactful data strategy is not about perfection, but prioritization. It’s about gaining maturity where it matters most for your business.”
