2026 IT Transformation Study: Only One in Four Migrations Goes According to Plan
A recent study by Natuvion and NTT Data Business Solutions shows that 71 percent of companies have to adjust their migration methodology as the project progresses. At the same time, 76 percent of respondents are already actively using AI in the transformation process—both as a driver and as a tool.
For the 2026 IT Transformation Study, Natuvion and NTT Data Business Solutions surveyed more than 1,100 executives and IT specialists worldwide about their experiences with IT transformations. The results paint a clear picture: transformation projects are more challenging than planned—and artificial intelligence is playing an increasingly central role.
Innovation and flexibility as key objectives
The study’s findings make it clear that IT transformations are a company-wide issue. 46 percent of the companies surveyed aim to increase their capacity for innovation, while 42 percent want to improve flexibility—even though flexibility is already a prerequisite for a successful transformation. When asked to name key success factors, 35 percent cited transformation expertise, 34 percent cited data transparency, and 32 percent cited continuity within the project team.
AI: A Driver and Integral Part of Transformation
Sixty percent of respondents cite the adoption of modern technologies—particularly AI—as the main driver of their IT transformation. This figure remains at a consistently high level compared to the previous year (57 percent). Traditional motivations, such as organizational adjustments, are becoming increasingly less important.
However, AI is not only a catalyst but also an active tool: 76 percent of companies are already using AI during the transformation process. Sixty-three percent rely on AI for technical analysis and implementation, just under 60 percent for data quality and migration, and 56 percent for strategic planning. The study thus demonstrates that AI is not only the goal but is also being used as a means to achieve it.
Poor data quality remains a strategic risk
Despite the AI boom, decision-makers are well aware that AI is only as good as the underlying data. Yet 26 percent of companies cite poor data quality as a key problem—for the fifth consecutive year. Inconsistent data, a lack of standards, and inadequate governance structures often go largely unnoticed in day-to-day operations, but they hit companies with full force during a transformation. Because clean data is a prerequisite for AI and data-driven business models, this issue is evolving from an operational detail into a strategic risk.
Established structures and budget overruns as the biggest hurdles
39 percent of respondents cite analyzing the existing IT landscape as the biggest challenge in the planning phase, followed by overall project complexity at 29 percent. The real challenge, therefore, lies not in the target architecture, but in dealing with legacy structures, dependencies, and historical baggage.
Nevertheless, many projects fail at the planning stage: 82 percent of companies exceed their budget, and just under 80 percent miss their deadlines. 44 percent plan their transformation to take one to two years, and 53 percent budget between 5 and 50 million euros. Since transformations cannot be handled in a linear fashion like traditional projects, buffers and a resilient project setup are not just “nice-to-haves,” but minimum requirements.
Lessons for Future Transformations
Based on their experiences, 34 percent of companies say they will use more AI next time. Thirty-two percent each want to focus more on key processes and improve communication, while 30 percent would like to invest more in data quality.
The study shows that IT transformations are gaining strategic importance. Topics such as artificial intelligence, innovation, flexibility, autonomy, and security are fundamentally changing the role of IT. Transformation is therefore no longer a purely technical discipline, but rather a leadership task.
Source: www.natuvion.com
