Rethinking transformation: From spending more to spending smart

The digital transformation agenda is being rewritten for efficiency, intelligence, and adaptability. In this conversation with Dataquest, Sagar PV, CTO of Mindsprint, discusses how enterprises are redefining ROI, operationalising AI, and building adaptive architectures that connect business goals with technology value.

What remains the toughest challenge for CIOs: aligning budgets with strategy, managing talent, or proving ROI?

While enterprises continue to invest heavily in AI, automation, and cloud, traditional budgeting models haven’t caught up with the pace of innovation. Budgets are still structured around static cost centres, not evolving business outcomes. This misalignment often leads to fragmented investments that dilute impact.

Budgets are still structured around static cost centres, not evolving business outcomes. This misalignment often leads to fragmented investments that dilute impact.

Additionally, GenAI and automation are changing productivity dynamics—outcomes are delivered faster, often with fewer full-time equivalents (FTEs), making traditional headcount-based planning outdated. Enterprises now need to move toward outcome-linked funding models that directly connect spend with strategic objectives and measurable ROI. Until this shift becomes mainstream, budget alignment will remain the hardest hurdle to cross.

Are enterprises accelerating automation, AI, and cloud investments, or recalibrating them for efficiency?

The initial rush to adopt automation, AI, and cloud has evolved into a more disciplined, value-centric phase. Enterprises are no longer investing for scale alone; they’re rebalancing priorities to ensure efficiency, interoperability, and measurable outcomes.

AI adoption has entered its second wave, shifting from experimentation to operationalisation.

AI adoption has entered its second wave, shifting from experimentation to operationalisation. GenAI and agentic systems are being integrated into core processes to enhance decision-making and speed, not just productivity. Similarly, cloud strategies are being refined for cost efficiency, performance optimisation, and data sovereignty, while automation is now intelligence-led, augmenting human judgement rather than replacing it.

Together, these shifts mark a clear transition from more technology to smarter technology.

What’s one “playbook” principle every CIO should follow to stay adaptive and value-focused?

The most critical principle is to build adaptability into the architecture and culture. Technology strategies must evolve as fast as business models do. That means designing systems and teams that can pivot quickly through composable platforms and an experimentation mindset. In short, CIOs should focus on adaptive architectures, empowered teams, and responsible AI adoption—that’s the foundation for sustained value creation in an unpredictable landscape.

shrikanthg@cybermedia.co.in