Yolanda Harris is a Director Analyst in Gartner’s IT Procurement, Asset and Vendor Management team. She advises clients on advancing Software Asset Management (SAM) capabilities, optimizing commercial outcomes, and managing risk across software, cloud, and AI-driven environments.
Her research focuses on AI in cloud and SaaS contracting, including security, privacy, data usage rights, and responsible AI obligations, and on AI cost management and lifecycle governance, leveraging SAM frameworks to unify visibility of AI spend and orchestrate cross-functional management across IT, finance, procurement, and security.
Yolanda also covers software and cloud negotiation strategy, SAM maturity and operating models, SaaS consumption management, and third-party contract risk reviews, helping clients interpret complex agreements and balance cost, risk, and compliance.
She leads and covers the Software Asset Management managed services market, advising on provider capabilities, market trends, and sourcing strategies.
Yolanda is particularly focused on extending SAM and procurement frameworks to govern AI, manage emerging risks, and enable sustainable, cost-effective AI adoption at scale.
She brings 25+ years of IT industry experience across software licensing, compliance, asset management, and contract negotiation, and holds a Certified Software Asset Manager (CSAM) credential.
Prior to joining Gartner, Mrs. Harris worked for large multinational organizations across the high-tech and retail industries, gaining extensive experience in software asset management (SAM), software license compliance, auditing, and technology contract management.
Her work included software discovery, license analysis, and contract interpretation, supporting organizations in maintaining compliance and understanding their contractual obligations. She also developed negotiation strategies to improve commercial outcomes, optimize software licensing costs, and support contract renewals.
In addition, she provided guidance on vendor management and risk management practices, helping organizations navigate software audits, assess vendor relationships, and improve oversight of software assets and agreements.
This experience established a strong foundation in software licensing, contract structures, and compliance practices, which informs her current research and advisory work in software, cloud, and AI-related procurement and risk management.
Retail Industry, Lead, Software Compliance Analyst, 9 years
Software Industry, Sr. License Consultant Analyst, 4 years
Cost Optimization
IT Contracts Negotiations
IT Vendor Performance and Relationship Management
Drive Effective Contract Negotiations to Further Alleviate Buyers’ Regret
Mitigate Top AI Risks
BA English Lit, Loyola University.
Trends and best practices in Software Asset Management to support business initiatives
Software Asset Management strategy and policy
Maturing Software Asset Management discipline
IT software spend analysis and IT software category management
Software compliance strategies and practices