Voice of the Ombuds

Our Assurance of Impartiality

What is Gartner’s Office of the Ombuds?

November 22 2023

Independence and objectivity is at the heart of Gartner’s business. Clients depend on us for objective insights free from bias so they can make faster, smarter decisions on their mission critical priorities.

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The Connecticut Supreme Court Affirms Gartner’s Independence and Objectivity

September 17 2020

Earlier this year the Connecticut Supreme Court sided with Gartner in ruling against NetScout Systems, Inc., a vendor that had disputed its position in a Magic Quadrant and challenged the independence of the Magic Quadrant process.

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Gartner Research Does Not Please Everyone, All Of The Time

October 11 2019

In this post, we’ll share a timely case study on how the Office of the Ombudsman receives, investigates and responds to complaints raised by technology providers, and why we always value getting our research right more than publishing to deadlines.

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What does it cost to be included in Gartner research? The answer is simple: nothing.

September 27 2019

We’ve heard it before. Someone might say, “If you want to be included in Gartner research or improve your position, you have to spend at least [insert very high dollar figure here].” Not only is this untrue, but for Gartner to allow such a practice would destroy the foundation that our business is based on.

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What Happens When Analysts Leave Gartner? Hint: Planning for that day begins before the day they start.

May 01 2018

When research analysts leave Gartner for any reason (a well-deserved retirement, to start a completely new career, or to join an IT end-user or vendor organization), our office at times gets outreaches, usually from IT vendor organizations with which that analyst has interacted as clients.

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Words Matter: Gartner Takes Its Independence Very Seriously

February 28 2018

Guest Post from Dean Daniels, MVP Ombudsman, Gartner. We were recently alerted to a press release, whose contents many who contacted us challenged. They said, “This doesn’t look like something Gartner would have approved.” They were right.

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Judge Grants Gartner Motion to Dismiss NetScout Law Suit

September 12 2017

NetScout Systems, Inc. filed a lawsuit against Gartner in 2014, stemming from its unhappiness with its placement in a Gartner Magic Quadrant. We defended ourselves against the claims in the pre-trial processes, filing a motion for a summary judgment to dismiss the case earlier this year.

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Gartner Opinion Is Not For Sale

August 30 2017

A company recently issued a press release that caught our attention. In the press release, the company stated that it had entered into an agreement with Gartner to provide paid research and analysis, assess one of its products regarding its applicability to the Magic Quadrant, and that Gartner will partner with this company to advocate its products.

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Analysts Attending Meals or Cocktail Receptions with Vendors

September 30 2010

With Symposium season officially underway, we’ve seen an increase in the number of vendors reaching out to analysts with invitations to dinner and cocktail receptions. As you may know, Gartner has some “rules of engagement” for these types of interactions (not limited to Gartner events).

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Judge Grants Gartner’s Motion to Dismiss Law Suit

November 05 2009

I have received some questions recently about a law suit filed against Gartner regarding our Magic Quadrant. I want to provide those following the situation with an update. Yesterday, the judge granted Gartner’s motion to dismiss the case for failing to state a legal claim.

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It’s Still True: Gartner Opinion is Not for Sale

October 08 2009

It almost sounds like a joke, except we’ve heard it more than once. Here it is: a number of vendors have told their prospects that Gartner charges vendors to be covered in its research. I’ve even heard specific amounts of up to $100,000 being claimed.

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Gartner Client Status is Irrelevant to Research Positioning

April 14 2009

Yesterday a vendor tweeted, “New Question, how many Software Vendors in the Wave and Quadrant are not clients of Gartner and Forrester?” We can’t speak for anyone else, but Gartner’s answer is that usually most, but not all, vendors in Magic Quadrants are Gartner clients in one way or another.

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