Observability contributes to digital transformation success

Splunk, in collaboration with Enterprise Strategy Group, has published The State of Observability 2021, a global research report that explores what a strong, high-level observability practice looks like and the meaningful results observability can deliver in the Data Age. With every organization now being a digital organization, the report shows that observability should be viewed as a core competency, not a cutting-edge differentiator.

The research finds that observability delivers tangible, essential results and high maturity observability practices are correlated with:

Much greater visibility across hybrid, multi-cloud infrastructures, resources and performance areas. Mature observability users are 2.9 times as likely to report better visibility into application performance and enjoy almost two times better visibility into public cloud infrastructure.

Accelerated root cause identification, meaning complex, service-crashing crises are fixed much more quickly, or averted entirely. Leaders are 6.1 times likelier to have accelerated root cause identification (43% of leaders versus 7% of beginners).

Faster digital transformation, with more successful results. Organizations with the most advanced observability practices are 4.5 times more likely to report successful digital transformation initiatives.

Exploding innovation, with leaders reporting 60% more new services, products and revenue streams than organizations with beginner-level observability.

 

“The pandemic accelerated digital transformations this past year and observability simply is no longer optional in a real-time economy where multicloud complexity has become standard,” said Sendur Sellakumar, Senior Vice President, Cloud and Chief Product Officer, Splunk. “Having a robust observability practice means fewer service disruptions, better customer experiences and more successful digital transformations. Observability means full fidelity data visibility not only at the infrastructure level, but also at the application and service level, with end-to-end transaction visibility no matter the technologies involved. ”

 

A significant percentage of respondents also say they have suffered material consequences for service failures that better observability practices could have prevented:

Lower customer satisfaction (45%)

Loss of revenue (37%)

Loss of reputation (36%)

Loss of customers (30%)

 

Additionally, gaps in observability hurt the bottom line and customer satisfaction:

53% of leaders reported that app issues have resulted in customer or revenue loss.

45% reported lower customer satisfaction as a result of service failures. 

o 30% reported losing customers as a consequence.

 

The report is the second in a series, after Splunk recently released The State of Security 2021, which included early input from security leaders after the revelation of the SolarWinds attacks. The State of Observability 2021 also highlights concrete recommendations for organizations as they look to improve their observability practices, including prioritizing data collection and correlation, as well as making use of AI, ML and automation.


In the largest global report on data streaming, 89% say DSPs make AI adoption easier.
73% are investing in AI-specific security tools with either new or existing budgets.
Public sector organizations recognize the potential of AI for enhancing decision making, improving...
AAIA allows experienced auditors to demonstrate their knowledge on AI governance, risk, operations...
Dynatrace to provide full-stack observability for NVIDIA Blackwell reference design unveiled at...
Powerful AI infrastructure and solutions, backed by a broad partner ecosystem and global services,...
Unveiled at the RSAC™ Conference, the 2025 LevelBlue Futures Report finds only 29% of executives...
55% of businesses admit wrong decisions in making employees redundant when bringing AI into the...