Transformation projects are exciting—after all, they hold the potential to change an organisation’s future. But let’s face it, they can also be a logistical nightmare. The reality is that a staggering 70% of transformation projects fail, with many of them going through multiple project leaders before any success is achieved. So why do so many fail? And how can we anticipate those pitfalls before they become insurmountable?

Have you ever found yourself in the middle of a project, unsure if the goal is even achievable? Or worse—have you had to hand over the reins to someone else halfway through?

The challenges in large transformation projects are numerous, but a few key issues consistently cause problems:

• Unclear Goals & Scope: The initial vision is often vague, and over time, the scope creeps, making it harder to stay on track.
• Lack of Stakeholder Buy-In: Without buy-in from key stakeholders—especially at the top—any transformation will struggle.
• Inadequate Leadership: A lack of experienced leadership or frequent changes in leadership can derail progress.
• Resistance to Change: People fear change, and that resistance can slow down or even halt progress.

Now, imagine all these challenges combined in a real-world setting, like a UK Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB)—a government body tasked with implementing new regulations. The NDPB needs to overhaul its data reporting system to meet new government standards, but the project is running behind schedule, leadership is shifting, and employees are pushing back on the changes.

A Theoretical Case Study: Navigating Transformation in a UK NDPB

This hypothetical NDPB finds itself struggling to balance competing interests: meeting government deadlines, maintaining stakeholder confidence, and ensuring the system overhaul doesn’t disrupt daily operations. Early in the project, the leadership team was not fully aligned on the scope or the approach, leading to delays. Then came a change in leadership, further slowing progress as new leaders had to get up to speed. Finally, there was resistance from employees who were hesitant to adopt the new data processes.

As the project faced these challenges, it became clear that resilience needed to be built into the approach. The solution?

1. Clear, Defined Goals: The leadership team redefined the project’s scope, focusing on the most critical aspects first.
2. Strong, Consistent Leadership: The project brought in an experienced transformation leader with a proven track record in similar government-based projects.
3. Early Engagement: Employees were engaged early in the process, with training and communication aimed at reducing resistance to change.
4. Anticipating Risks: The team set aside a risk management plan to anticipate potential setbacks and proactively address them before they spiraled out of control.

By anticipating the pitfalls early and adjusting course, the NDPB was able to deliver the project successfully—on time and in compliance with all regulations.

So, how can transformation managers avoid these pitfalls and successfully steer their projects to completion? The answer often lies in building a resilient, experienced team—one that can identify potential risks and adjust quickly.

This is where specialist transformation recruiters, like Malikshaw, come in. We’ve worked across various industries and organisations, helping clients navigate exactly these challenges. Our experience in placing leaders who have already encountered and overcome similar obstacles allows us to secure candidates who are not just technically qualified, but who can spot and resolve issues before they escalate.

Think about your own experiences with transformation projects:

• Have you ever had a project go off-track because of shifting leadership or unclear goals?
• What would it have meant for you to have a leader on the team who was already familiar with these challenges?
• Could having the right leader in place from the start have saved you time and frustration?

Executing a large transformation project isn’t easy, but it’s not impossible. By anticipating common pitfalls—like unclear goals, leadership turnover, and resistance to change—and building in resilience from the start, you can greatly increase your chances of success.

At Malikshaw, we understand the complexities of transformation and can help you secure the right leadership to see it through. Whether you need someone who’s been there before or someone with fresh insights into your unique challenges, we’re here to help you build a team that’s ready for whatever comes next.

Ready to make your transformation a success? So are we.