Definition and applications for digital business
Bimodal IT is a two-tiered IT operations model that allows for the creation of IT systems and processes that are stable and predictable as well as agile and fast¹. It is the practice of managing two separate but coherent styles of work: one focused on predictability and the other on innovation²³⁴.
The term was coined by Gartner in 2014, and the two tiers are defined as follows: “Mode 1” is traditional and sequential, emphasising safety and accuracy, while “Mode 2” is exploratory and nonlinear, emphasising agility and speed¹³. Bimodal IT is an attempt to manage IT in a way that promotes rapid change while maintaining safety and security⁵.
By adopting a bimodal IT model, organisations can maintain the stability of core business operations while simultaneously pursuing innovative digital initiatives to explore new business opportunities. This approach also allows organisations to respond more quickly to market volatility, evolving customer preferences, and the emergence of new technologies, while minimising risks and disruptions to core business processes.
