We occasionally get calls from vendors asking to be removed from a Magic Quadrant because they disagree with our market definition, or their positioning, or that they even compete in the specific market. On the flip side, we've gotten questions from vendors about how much they need to pay to get on the Magic Quadrant. We sternly remind both sets of callers that they can't elect to be omitted or pay to be included in a Magic Quadrant.

As you've seen, the recent updates to Magic Quadrant processes expose the metrics we use to evaluate every vendor, as well as the weights we give to each of those metrics. Gartner analysts create these metrics and weights with one thing in mind: what end users need to know to make informed decisions. You can see the metrics yourself. Not one of them identifies how much revenue a vendor pays Gartner. Not one of them gives a vendor the ability to opt in or opt out: If a product meets the criteria for inclusion in a Magic Quadrant, that vendor is included; if it doesn't, it is not included. Client status has nothing to do with it. If we were not to follow these policies, obviously this would compromise the integrity of the research.

This doesn't mean that an analyst occasionally will not include a vendor that does meet the market's inclusion criteria because that analyst simply wasn't aware of that vendor. We're not omniscient.

Don't agree? Call or email us. We'd love to hear from you.

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Hello Nancy-

Nice to read your blog. I know when I was at Gartner and wrote MQs, vendors could and did indeed ask to be taken off magic quadrants. I know of at least two occurences where this took place. Is this a new policy? Or was it not always enforced?

Regards,

Garth

Hi Garth,

It has always been Gartner’s policy that we establish criteria for Magic Quadrant inclusion and if a vendor fits it, we include that vendor; if it doesn’t, we don’t. If this policy somehow was not followed, shame on us for not sticking to it, and thanks for the reminder to remain vigilant on this important point.

Nancy

Question: how does a vendor that does indeed fit the criteria for a specific quadrant get noticed by the analyst? is there an application process that vendors are able to submit?

Analysts gather data about vendors in a market in two ways. First they track market trends, client inquiry, third party research and industry events to know who the relevant vendors are in a market. Second, they are contacted directly by vendors who would like to brief the analysts on their offerings. The analysts then define the inclusion criteria for the Magic Quadrant based on the needs of Gartner clients and an in-depth understanding of the vendors within the market. Vendors can request a briefing by contacting vendor.briefings@gartner.com.