Transformation That Sticks

Why Most Change Fails—and How to Make Yours Succeed

Digital and operational transformations remain a strategic imperative, yet the success rate continues to disappoint.  Recent studies underline just how hard it is to translate ambitious plans into lasting change. 


  • Bain & Company’s 2024 research found that only 12 percent of large‑scale transformation programs achieve their original ambition, meaning 88 percent under‑deliver.  
  • Mooncamp’s 2024 survey reported that just 35 percent of companies met their digital‑transformation goals in 2021, only a modest improvement from 30 percent in 2020.  


Success rates fall even further in capital‑intensive sectors such as oil and gas, automotive and pharmaceuticals, where only 4 – 11 percent of transformations succeed.

Why do so many initiatives—led by capable leaders and backed by strong business cases—still fail to deliver?  In our experience the hidden barriers lurk in execution, not vision:

  • Sound strategies that don’t adapt to frontline realities.  The best‑laid plans are often undercut by the day‑to‑day decisions of the people doing the work.  Without empowering teams to adjust processes and metrics in real time, transformation stalls.

  • Processes re‑engineered without culture change.  Systems and workflows may be redesigned, but failure to address culture or behaviour keeps old habits alive.

  • Technology upgraded but poorly governed.  Many programs overspend on new platforms without establishing the governance, data discipline and adoption rituals required for value creation.  Oxford and McKinsey’s joint study found that 17 percent of IT projects fail so badly that they threaten a company’s survival[^mckinsey2012].

  • Metrics set without empowerment.  Leaders create dashboards but don’t give teams the authority to course‑correct.  Real transformation blends vision with sleeves‑rolled‑up delivery and frameworks with human behaviour.


Our Approach: Making Transformation Stick

At Ironpaw, we believe transformation should work in the real world—not just in a presentation deck.

We embed with clients to lead transformations across four practical dimensions:

Operating Model Redesign

We start by aligning structure to strategy. Whether it's shifting from siloed functions to cross-functional squads, or building new governance models, we rewire how teams operate.

Process Reengineering

We go beyond lean mapping. Our process work centers on *simplification*, *automation*, and *end-user adoption*—driving out legacy friction that kills velocity.

Digital Strategy & Delivery

Too many consultants stop at the roadmap. We drive programs from concept to code, managing stakeholders, sequencing delivery, and adjusting in-flight when real-world conditions change.

Technology Rationalization

We help leaders cut the noise. Rationalizing systems, consolidating tools, and focusing on what drives *actual business outcomes*—not shelfware.

Case Study: Transformation at Scale

Global Healthcare Business

A leading healthcare delivery partner who combine access to workforce, technology and sector expertise to increase the sustainability of the global healthcare system from early-stage clinical research, to acute and palliative care.

My Role

When I joined as the  Regional Chief Product & Technology Officer, the organization had grown in the US  through rapid acquisition and was burdened by fragmented systems, inconsistent processes, and a lack of operational visibility.

What I Did

  • Conducted a full audit of systems and business capabilities across the US
  • Designed and deployed a data warehouse supporting robust operational and financial reports built to support growth
  • Led a 12 month transformation of the core operating model, consolidating decentralized support functions into a centralized shared service
  • Brought both ERP and Core Operating platforms in-house and reduced overall operating costs by $5M annually
  • Introduced an enterprise PMO, a Lean Six Sigma team and implemented an agile delivery framework to manage transformation program

What Made It Work

We didn’t just roll out tech. We redesigned workflows, changed reporting lines, created champions inside the business, and gave people *clear wins early*.

The Bottom Line

If your transformation depends on a 300-slide roadmap, you’re already off track.


If it doesn’t show up in how your teams work every day—in how decisions are made, how data flows, how processes run—then you haven’t transformed.

Real transformation blends vision with execution. Strategy with sleeves-rolled-up delivery. Frameworks with human behavior.


That’s what we do at Ironpaw.


Let’s Make Change That Lasts


Whether you’re digitizing legacy operations, evolving your operating model, or rebuilding trust with teams after failed change—let’s talk about what it takes to make your transformation actually stick.

Give me 20 minutes. You talk, I’ll listen. You’ll leave with a Day 1‑on‑site plan, even if we never work together.
Follow Us On LinkedIn
Sir Winston Ironpaw

Sir Winston Ironpaw

Chief Marketing Officer
https://www.ironpawpartners.com/about-us

Sir Winston Ironpaw is the witty, well-suited voice of Ironpaw Partners. As Chief Barketing Officer, he delivers sharp insights, strategic wit, and a growl of wisdom to leaders navigating transformation, tech, and change. Ironclad insight. Bulldog tenacity. Strategic bite.