Big things ahead for mobile app strategies in 2017

Mobile apps are not shiny, new toys anymore. They are a must-have technology for any business looking to compete for customers and elevate its workforce.

Previously a separate and isolated concern, mobility is becoming an embedded part of every application and digital product.

As this is happening, the characteristics of mobile-first development - such as feature quality over quantity, and a focus on digital experience and modern tooling - are becoming characteristics of the modern application development organisation.

Consumers and workers alike are engaging more than ever through mobile devices. Application leaders who have not yet formed comprehensive mobile app strategies risk harming the enterprise's ability to fully and effectively satisfy their constituents' needs.

Yet, mobile apps are only the beginning of a journey into the post-app era, where user experiences are continuous, ambient and omnichannel - beyond phones and tablets, and across the digital landscape.

Mobile has been one of four disruptive technologies in the Nexus of Forces, and is now an essential component of the digital business platform.

Establishing cohesive strategies and competencies for delivering mobile apps is a necessary first step. Application leaders must then exploit those capabilities to accelerate innovation through self-service development and applying digital design best practices across a wide range of interaction channels beyond the app, in order to continue the evolution of the digital business.

If these topics align with your 2017 IT initiatives, be sure to follow Gartner's Mobile Application Strategies research agenda and read the 2017 primer document.

This research agenda spans strategy, planning, platforms, architecture, process and management topics, supporting the design, development and delivery of mobile apps and digital interactions in the post-app era.

These are the challenges that we will be addressing in our research:

• How do we accelerate mobile app development and delivery to meet the demands of the business?
• How can we foster innovation and drive business agility through self-service development?
• How do we exploit digital design methodologies to elevate the business value of apps?
• How should we capitalise on post-app technologies to gain business advantages?

And as always, my colleagues and I look forward to engaging with you via inquiries and at Gartner events throughout 2017!