Measuring digital and AI transformation: why KPIs are no longer enough
Most digital transformations do not fully reach their objectives, and three quarters of companies have not yet drawn tangible value from AI. Part of the problem lies in measurement: KPIs track activity, not the transformation itself. KTIs, key transformation indicators, fill that gap.
What the numbers say
| Finding | Source |
|---|---|
| 70% of digital transformations do not fully reach their objectives; 30% meet or exceed them | BCG, 2020 |
| 16% of respondents say their digital transformation improved performance and sustained it over time | McKinsey Global Survey, 2018 |
| 74% of companies have not yet drawn tangible value from AI | BCG, 2024 (1,000 executives, 59 countries) |
| At least 30% of generative AI projects abandoned after proof of concept by the end of 2025, notably for lack of clear value | Gartner, July 2024 forecast |
The famous "70% of transformations fail" is often quoted without a source. We use here figures whose origin, sample and definition are known.
Why KPIs are not enough
A KPI measures the result of an activity: revenue, cost per case, processing time. During a transformation, these figures move late and for many reasons at once. They say neither where the project stands, nor whether it is starting to produce value, nor whether decisions are made in time.
- They arrive too late : a project's effect on a KPI shows up months after delivery.
- They mix causes : a falling lead time may come from the project, the market or a reorganization.
- They ignore dependencies : a late project blocks others, while nothing yet moves in the KPIs.
What KTIs measure
KTIs, key transformation indicators, track transformation the way KPIs track activity. Méliantis defines 19 of them, grouped into three families.
Questions to ask yourself
- Can we say today, in one number, where our transformation portfolio stands?
- Do we know which delivered projects already produce value, and how much?
- How much time passes between an outside change and the decision it calls for?
- Do our committees decide on quantified options, or on impressions?
See what this hits in your organization
Prévoq links this kind of change to the projects, teams and contracts of your organization, with the level of evidence of each link.
Sources
- BCG, Flipping the Odds of Digital Transformation Success, 2020, and McKinsey Global Survey on digital transformations, 2018, source summary · reliamag.com · accessed October 31, 2026
- BCG, "AI Adoption in 2024: 74% of Companies Struggle to Achieve and Scale Value" · bcg.com · October 24, 2024
- Gartner, "Gartner Predicts 30% of Generative AI Projects Will Be Abandoned After Proof of Concept By End of 2025" · gartner.com · July 29, 2024
This analysis presents the state of the texts and public sources at the date indicated. It does not constitute legal advice.
