TRANSFORMATION WITH VISIBILITY: BUILDING DATA-DRIVEN, ADAPTIVE ENTERPRISES

Datadog's Yadi Narayana on why observability, measurable ROI, and ecosystem trust now define the digital transformation journey.

- By Shrikanth G

Transformation today isn't about speed; it's about seeing clearly and adapting fast. In this conversation with Dataquest, Yadi Narayana, Field CTO - APJ at Datadog, discusses how observability and AI-powered automation are reshaping enterprise strategy — turning data into decisions and complexity into resilience.

How has digital transformation strategy evolved amid changing business realities?

In the last few years, digital transformation has matured from being a broad, aspirational goal to a more disciplined, business-aligned process. Enterprises are no longer chasing transformation for the sake of it. The focus has shifted from “digital for scale” to “digital for resilience and adaptability”, according to a KPMG report. (Source: India's digital dividend: The strategic roadmap towards becoming a global digital leader)

Today's transformation strategies are built around three pillars: efficiency, intelligence, and agility. Businesses are integrating AI-powered observability, security, and automation to enable real-time adaptability. The goal is to make technology ecosystems self-aware and self-optimising, capable of responding dynamically to changing customer demands or market shocks.

Another key change is the integration of business and IT roadmaps. Previously, CIOs and CTOs often worked in parallel to business leaders; now, technology strategy is business strategy. This means digital initiatives are being evaluated not just on technical performance but on how effectively they enable new revenue models, improve customer experiences, and enhance operational resilience.

What continues to be the hardest challenge for CIOs — aligning budgets, managing talent, or proving ROI?