Digital innovation is dominating IT, but many companies are struggling to manage it, according to the Harvey Nash 2015 CIO Survey released today in association with KPMG. Despite efforts to close the skills gap, this year skills concerns are running one-third higher than in 2013, according to the report

Big data analytics is now the most-needed skill, almost six times higher than the next most-scarce skill, change management.

“The speed of technology is what’s driving IT today,” said Bob Miano, president and CEO of Harvey Nash USAPAC. “Digital disruption is the norm now, so it’s about how fast companies can innovate. Pressure to produce at an accelerated pace is felt across all vertical markets, and has direct ties to the talent war. The industry can’t produce talent fast enough. The pace will only continue to quicken, and the companies on track to win will secure and hold on to talent, be nimble enough to shift quickly and will rein in digital to manage it in a smart way.” 

The survey also found nearly six out of 10 CIOs believe their skills shortages will prevent them from keeping up with the pace of change.

Half, 50%, of CIOs reported they increasingly use outsourcers to supplement skills they cannot find in house. This compares to 25% of CIOs who are looking to their outsourcers to save them money, suggesting an evolving role for outsourcers.

According to the survey, six out of seven CIOs will increase their outsourcing spend in 2015, and 46% of CIOs plan to increase their investment in offshoring this year.

The Harvey Nash CIO Survey 2015, in association with KPMG, collected data between Jan 6 and April 19, 2015, It included 3,691 technology leaders from more than 50 countries, with a combined IT spend of more than $200 billion.