The Challenge Gap

Differences in the perceived challenges to successful IoT implementations can defocus collaboration and planning initiatives, creating the Challenge Gap.

To better understand the state of IT and OT collaboration, it is important to understand the reasons why so many IoT initiatives are considered less than successful. Survey respondents were asked to identify the most significant barrier to successful IoT projects. Lack of IT/OT Coordination was cited by fewer than 20 percent of all respondents as the lead barrier, although no one category dominated the results.

Source: Futurum Research, Bridging the IoT Perception Gap, Survey of 500 IT/OT Professionals

When IT and OT responses are compared, however, the story becomes a bit less balanced.

Source: Futurum Research, Bridging the IoT Perception Gap, Survey of 500 IT/OT Professionals

Notable differences between IT and OT responses highlight IT’s increased concern with OT collaboration; OT’s lack of budget; and IT’s concern for a lack (or immaturity) of technology. Of these, the budget and technology issues stand out. Budgets are always a concern, particularly within operational functions where cost controls have long been a priority. Further, as discussed below, flat or declining OT budgets may be the driver here. Regarding technology, the gap between IT and OT may be as simple as an issue of maturity—OT has been involved with sensor-based industrial IoT technology for years, while IT is often dealing with more commercial IoT technologies that are still early on in the development cycle.

Challenge Gap - Bottom Line

Differences in the barriers to success faced by IT and OT teams can hinder successful project collaboration and impact the success IoT initiatives. This is particularly true if the challenges are not well un

derstood by both groups. To overcome these gaps, IT and OT need to partner not just on projects but also on collaboratively addressing these barriers, including shared risk and reward frameworks.