Why good cloud strategy is good business strategy

2025 Cloud Innovation Survey

See how companies around the world establish a foundation for cloud innovation—and what sets leaders apart.

Kyndryl’s Cloud Innovation Survey—a global study of nearly 1,900 business and IT leaders—examines how companies organize, operate and activate partner ecosystems to not only maximize returns from cloud investments today, but also ensure they’re ready to seize tomorrow’s opportunities. The survey questions assessed the areas of business alignment, operations, modernization, AI adoption and ecosystem management, identifying leaders that scored in the top 10%.

Three key takeaways emerged:
 1. Leaders align business and IT on their cloud strategy and outcomes with hyperscalers
2. Leaders drive innovation and AI adoption with a cloud-native operating model
3. Leaders simultaneously innovate and manage complexity with implementation of platforms
Company Creative Manager Holds Sales Meeting Presentation for Employees and Executives. Hispanic Male Uses TV Screen with Growth Analysis; Charts; Ad Revenue. Work in Business Office.
6x-graphic-v2

Cloud leaders are 6× more likely* to achieve success with cloud investments

* Survey respondents who scored in the top 10% of cloud innovation compared to those who scored in the bottom 20%

What cloud leaders do differently

While cloud providers advance their offerings, especially in relation to AI, cloud innovators are increasingly confident in their ability to take on the added complexity and manage related infrastructure challenges.

Leaders align business and IT on their cloud strategy and outcomes with hyperscalers.

60%

Of cloud leaders say business and IT are completely aligned on cloud objectives

15×

Cloud leaders are 15× more likely* to co-innovate with cloud providers and participate in early access programs

* Survey respondents who scored in the top 10% of cloud innovation compared to those who scored in the bottom 20%

Leaders drive innovation and AI adoption with a cloud-native operating model.

59%

Of cloud leaders expect to be cloud-native or cloud-first within two years

70%

Cloud leaders who use AI for mission-critical business processes

Leaders simultaneously innovate and manage complexity with the implementation of platforms.

15×

Cloud leaders 15 times more often* have a mature platform engineering approach

69×

Cloud leaders are 69 times more likely* to have unified, full-stack observability with AI-driving insights
Creative young business people examining prototype in meeting

The bridge between ambition and achievement is built through purposeful co-innovation across business, IT and the extended partner ecosystem.”

Nicolas Sekkaki

Cloud Global Practice Leader, Kyndryl

Benchmark how you compare

No matter where you are in your cloud innovation journey, the most important step you can take is always the next one.
Our five-question quiz can help you determine if your cloud strategy is designed for success or ready for strategic intervention.
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Get the report

Explore the full report to see how business and IT leaders set priorities, organize for success and use cloud-related investments to drive innovation and enhance business outcomes across their enterprises.
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Related resources
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