CIO INDEXES
Our CIO Indexes are built with our private network of CIOs and technology leaders and then checked against the seller’s side of the table. The result is a clear, honest picture of where big technology decisions are heading.
Built with our CIO expert network
Buyer view and seller view, side by side
12 technology areas covered
Every leader kept anonymous
A CIO Index is a simple score that shows how technology leaders think about one area of technology: what they plan to do, what they care about most, and what holds them back.
We ask the same set of questions to many CIOs and technology leaders. We turn their answers into scores from 0 to 100, so they’re easy to compare across sectors, company sizes and time.
Then we do something most research skips. We ask the companies that sell in that area the same questions. Where buyers and sellers see things differently, that gap is often the most useful finding of all.
01 — Choose the area
We pick one technology area and the sector it matters to, such as cybersecurity for banks or cloud for manufacturers.
02 — Ask the buyers
CIOs and technology leaders from our expert network answer a short, focused set of questions in confidence.
03 — Check with the sellers
Leaders at companies that sell in that area answer matching questions from their side of the table.
04 — Score and share
We turn the answers into clear scores, find the gaps, and share the results in a private readout.
Each type answers a different question. Most areas use two or three together.
Intent Index
What are CIOs planning to do next, and how soon?
Formula: Share of leaders planning to act × how soon they plan to act × budget certainty, scaled to 0–100.
High score: Strong, near-term demand with money behind it.
Readiness Index
How prepared are companies to adopt or run this technology well?
Formula: Five readiness areas—people, process, tools, data and oversight—scaled to 0–100.
High score: Companies are ready to move now, not just interested.
Decision Index
What actually tips the choice between one provider and another?
Formula: How often each factor appears among a leader’s top three reasons, weighted by rank.
High score: That factor carries real weight in the final choice.
Satisfaction and Switch Index
How happy are leaders with what they have, and how likely are they to change?
Formula: Satisfaction less unhappiness, shown beside 12-month switch intent.
High score: Leaders are loyal.
Compliance Readiness Index
How close are companies to meeting a new rule or deadline?
Formula: Required steps complete, weighted by importance and deadline proximity.
High score: Companies are on track.
Buyer–Seller Gap Index
Where do buyers and sellers see the market differently?
Formula: Seller score minus buyer score on the same question.
High score: Sellers believe something buyers don’t—where messages miss and deals stall.
Short, plain questions that busy leaders can answer in minutes.
Plans — “In the next 12 months, do you plan to start, grow, hold or reduce spending in this area?”
Timing — “When do you expect to make your next decision?”
Priorities — “Which three problems matter most this year?”
Choice factors — “What matters most: price, proven results, support, local presence or ease of use?”
Satisfaction — “How happy are you with your current provider?”
Barriers — “What’s most likely to slow down your plans?”
Trust — “Whose advice do you trust most?”
Seller mirror — “What do you believe is the top reason customers choose you?”
Each area has its own index, built from the types above.
Cybersecurity
Plans for security spending, top threats, partner choice and the buyer–seller gap.
CIO value: Compare your security plans and spending with sector peers.
OT and Industrial Security
Plant readiness, operating-system protection and new compliance rules.
CIO value: Know where you stand before an auditor tells you.
Observability
Monitoring-tool sprawl, root-cause speed and consolidation plans.
CIO value: Benchmark how quickly peers find and fix problems.
Neo Cloud and GPU Compute
AI computing demand, provider choice and the trade-offs that shape it.
CIO value: See how peers source specialized compute.
Hybrid and Multi-Cloud
Cloud mix, repatriation, cost, control and skills.
CIO value: Compare your cloud mix and costs with similar companies.
Data Center and Colocation
Capacity plans, build-versus-rent choices, power, location and connectivity.
CIO value: See where peers are placing capacity and why.
Agentic AI and Automation
Production use, readiness and blockers including trust, data and approvals.
CIO value: Separate real progress from hype.
Data and Analytics Platforms
Data trust, platform modernization and AI readiness.
CIO value: Benchmark your data readiness for AI.
ERP and Legacy Modernization
Core-system upgrade plans, programme health and partner choices.
CIO value: Learn how peers pace and protect large changes.
IT Services and Managed Services
Partner mix, satisfaction, renewals and what stays in-house.
CIO value: Compare your partner model with peers.
Networking and Secure Access
Network modernisation, remote access and provider bundling.
CIO value: See how peers are updating networks safely.
Data Privacy and Consent Management
Privacy-rule readiness, customer permissions and ownership.
CIO value: Know how prepared you are as deadlines get closer.
See where you stand — Compare plans, spending and readiness with peers in your sector.
Decide with confidence — Know what other leaders chose, what worked, and what they’d do differently.
Spot what sellers miss — See where providers’ claims don’t match buyer experience.
Make your case inside — Use peer benchmarks to support budget requests and plans.
Free for members — CIO expert network members receive index results and readouts at no cost.
Join the CIO expert network
FOR TECHNOLOGY COMPANIES
Every index includes a seller-side view. Technology companies that take part see how their beliefs compare with what CIOs actually say, and where their message lands or misses.
Seller-side validation — Take part in matching questions and compare your view with buyers.
Custom indexes — Sponsor an index for your area and target sector.
Closed-door readout — A private session for your leadership team, with next steps.
Workshop kit — Findings made ready for sales and client teams.
Clear next steps — Practical actions, not just charts.
Talk to our team about an index
No leader or company is ever named.
Results are shown only in groups large enough to protect privacy.
Sponsors never see individual answers.
Sponsors can’t change the findings.
Buyer and seller answers are always kept separate before they’re compared.
What is a CIO Index? — A 0–100 score covering leaders’ plans, priorities, choices and concerns.
Who answers? — CIOs and senior technology leaders in our expert network, plus leaders at companies that sell in that area.
Why include sellers? — Differences between the two views reveal where deals stall and messages miss.
How long does it take? — Most question sets take about 10 minutes.
Are answers private? — Yes. Names are never shared and results appear only in groups.
Which areas do you cover? — Twelve today, from cybersecurity and OT security to agentic AI, ERP modernisation, networking, privacy and consent.
Can you build another area? — Yes. Custom indexes can be built for any technology area and sector.
Can a sponsor influence results? — No. Findings are ours and never changed for anyone.
How often are indexes updated? — Most refresh every [six months].
Whether you lead technology at your company or sell to those who do, our CIO Indexes give you a clearer view of what comes next.
All index answers are anonymous. Results are shared only in groups.