Before I start with my predictions, let me explain what I mean by a prediction. I believe that predictions should not be about the end of a technology cycle but the timing for when an issue begins to gain traction that will result in industry shifts. As I pointed out in my book, Smart or Lucky? How Technology Leaders Turn Change Into Success (Josey Bass, 2011), important industry initiatives and changes usually require decades of trial and error before they result in significant product and important trends. So, in my predictions, I am pointing out changes that are starting.
I know that the rule is that you need to come up with ten predictions when a new year is about to start. But I decided to break the rule and stick with seven. Call me a renegade. I think that we have a very interesting year taking shape. It will be a year where emerging technologies will move out of strategy and planning into execution. So, I expect that 2015 will not be business as usual. There will be political shakeups in both IT and business leadership as technology takes on an increasingly more strategic role. Companies need to know that the technology initiatives that are driving revenue are secure, scalable, predictable, and manageable. While there will always be new emerging technologies that we take us all by surprise, here is what I expect to drive technology execution and buying plans in the coming year.