Is the '70% of transformations fail' statistic real?

It is a widely cited figure that appears in McKinsey publications (e.g., 'Why do most transformations fail?', 2019). Comparable figures appear in BCG, Bain, and academic change-management literature. It is best treated as a directional statement supported by multiple consulting and academic sources, not as a single audited statistic.

What is the Standish CHAOS Report?

The CHAOS Report is an annual study published by The Standish Group since 1994, classifying software projects as Successful, Challenged, or Failed. It has consistently found that smaller projects succeed at materially higher rates than larger ones. The full report is paywalled; many of its summary findings are publicly cited.

Does this mean transformations are always wrong?

No. Transformations are sometimes necessary — for regulatory compliance, platform end-of-life, or step-change business models. The argument is about sequencing: focused wins build the credibility, capability, and political capital that improve the odds of a subsequent transformation succeeding.

Where a Focused Workflow Build Pays Back Faster than a Full Transformation

An insight on where a focused workflow build pays back faster than a full transformation from CodeCraft Enterprise.