2026 Transformation Study: Transformation is a learning process, not a plan

Drawing on the experiences of more than 1,100 IT decision-makers worldwide, the 2026 Transformation Study shows a clear shift. Companies now pursue transformation primarily to drive innovation, increase flexibility, and prepare for the future, rather than cut costs. AI leads this shift. Cited by 60% of respondents, it is the top driver of transformation, fundamentally changing what companies aim to achieve. That is also where the challenge begins.

Why planning alone is not enough

The biggest misconception: Transformation can be planned like a traditional project

The study’s findings are clear: 82% of projects exceed their budgets, and nearly 80% run behind schedule. Poor planning is rarely the cause. More often, the problem is the assumption that transformation follows a predictable, linear path. In practice, it rarely does.

Why did 71% of companies have to adapt their migration strategy, and how did that affect their transformation?

71% of companies adapt their migration strategy mid-project

It’s Monday morning at a steering committee meeting. The first milestones are complete, and confidence is high. The approach is set: greenfield or brownfield. Clearly defined. Carefully planned. Then reality sets in. A business unit adds new requirements. Data analysis reveals unexpected inconsistencies. A core system behaves differently than expected. Nothing critical. Yet. But this is where the challenges most transformation projects underestimate begin to surface.

The 2026 Transformation Study confirms this pattern: 71% of companies had to adjust their migration approach during transformation. More than a quarter had to change it fundamentally. These shifts are common in modern transformation projects.

Why does this happen?

Because many critical factors only become clear as the project progresses:

• Hidden dependencies in legacy systems

• Unexpected data issues

• New business requirements

• The realization that the chosen strategy doesn’t fit the actual conditions

Projects lose momentum. Timelines slip. Costs rise. Business objectives are put at risk.

Building flexible migration strategies

Adaptability matters more than methodology

The study is clear: Success depends less on choosing greenfield, brownfield, or selective data transition than on adapting the approach as project conditions change. That is a major challenge. Many companies and service providers specialize in a single approach. It works until the project demands something different.

Why experience across migration approaches matters

When a project requires a different approach, you need a partner who understands all migration methods, can switch between them, and knows when each makes sense. The study highlights the growing importance of selective and hybrid approaches. Nearly half of companies use selective data transition or hybrid models.

Which approach best describes your migration strategy?

These approaches offer the flexibility that traditional strategies often lack:

• Migrate only the data you need

• Modernize processes at the same time

• Adjust the approach as the project evolves

Selective data transition is becoming a key factor in successful transformations.

Understanding data and complexity early on

Data quality and complexity: Underestimated drivers of change 

Two more findings reinforce this pattern and catch many companies off guard: 1) Data quality is the most common unexpected challenge. 2) The complexity of the existing IT environment remains the biggest obstacle.

Both issues seem familiar. Companies know data quality matters and that their IT environments have grown more complex over time. Yet they underestimate both in nearly every transformation. The full scope only becomes clear when systems begin to change.

Transformation builds resilience

Innovation and resilience: The new role of transformation 

The 2026 Transformation Study shows that IT transformation now goes beyond modernizing technology and improving efficiency.

Geopolitical tensions, stricter regulations, and growing concerns over data and technology sovereignty are reshaping business priorities. Political and economic policy developments directly influence transformation strategies at 94.8% of surveyed companies. Data and technology sovereignty requirements rank as the leading external factor, cited by 72.1%.

Transformation is increasingly about business resilience. Companies want modern IT environments and the technological and organizational capabilities to maintain control and operate effectively amid geopolitical uncertainty.

For CIOs and boards, this means treating transformation as a strategic investment in competitiveness, control, and long-term readiness, rather than managing it solely as an operational project.

What does this mean for your business? 

The key takeaway from the 2026 Transformation Study is simple:

• Transformation goes beyond setting a plan at the start.
• It is an ongoing process that requires active management.

Here’s what that means in practice:

• Build adaptability into your strategy from the start.
• Choose partners with expertise across migration approaches.
• Use approaches that accommodate change.
• Invest early in data quality and visibility into your IT environment.

Your transformation will change course. Are you prepared to adapt?