Analysts proceed to develop plausible scenarios of IT trends, based on sets of assumptions that they believe to influence market outcomes. For an example of how assumptions, their impacts, and possible alternatives are framed, please click on the Related Research link at the end of this article. Figure 2 - Importance and Volatility of Key IDC IT Market Assumptions IDC analysts rated eight of the 10 assumptions as having a greater than even probability of influencing IT markets. They also provided their assessments of the volatility of scenarios, describing how the assumptions will play out, also indicated in Figure 2. These, ranked seven and nine respectively, were not among the most important factors.
Unexpected events can always disrupt even the most confident predictions, however.
While IDC doesn't claim to be clairvoyant, it does strive to provide consistency, clarity, and vision. Perhaps these findings will serve as a guide for strategic planning efforts within IT departments. However, IDC information that is to be used in advertising, press releases, or promotional materials requires prior written approval from the appropriate IDC vice president or country manager. A draft of the proposed document should accompany any such request. IDC reserves the right to deny approval of external usage for any reason.