Neil Pollock and Neil Williams
- Published in print:
- 2016
- Published Online:
- March 2016
- ISBN:
- 9780198704928
- eISBN:
- 9780191774027
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198704928.003.0004
- Subject:
- Business and Management, Information Technology, Strategy
The chapter examines the methods by which industry analysts generate and validate the knowledge that make up their predictions and rankings. A ‘think-tank culture’ within internal research ...
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The chapter examines the methods by which industry analysts generate and validate the knowledge that make up their predictions and rankings. A ‘think-tank culture’ within internal research communities is accompanied by increasing resort to formal methodologies and checking outputs driven by a desire to generate defensible knowledge and avoid litigation. The chapter examines the formation of these experts: their recruitment, induction and the evolution of their careers. In Gartner, analysts are selected not just on the basis of their technical knowledge but also their ability to present and defend positions. To enter the firm they must pass the ‘grace under fire’ test. Finally the chapter examines the day-to-day management of this expert labour. Their exceptional knowledge of particular areas frustrates detailed task management. As well as volumes of outputs (‘publish or die’), they are assessed and rewarded in the basis of detailed assessment of client satisfaction and subscription renewal rates.Less
The chapter examines the methods by which industry analysts generate and validate the knowledge that make up their predictions and rankings. A ‘think-tank culture’ within internal research communities is accompanied by increasing resort to formal methodologies and checking outputs driven by a desire to generate defensible knowledge and avoid litigation. The chapter examines the formation of these experts: their recruitment, induction and the evolution of their careers. In Gartner, analysts are selected not just on the basis of their technical knowledge but also their ability to present and defend positions. To enter the firm they must pass the ‘grace under fire’ test. Finally the chapter examines the day-to-day management of this expert labour. Their exceptional knowledge of particular areas frustrates detailed task management. As well as volumes of outputs (‘publish or die’), they are assessed and rewarded in the basis of detailed assessment of client satisfaction and subscription renewal rates.
