New Research Reveals Majority of Leaders See Tech Investments Fail to Meet Goals

Recent Technology Investments Not Delivering Expected Outcomes

In a world increasingly reliant on technology, a recent survey conducted by Eagle Hill Consulting sheds light on a concerning trend: more than half of organizational leaders believe that their recent technology investments have fallen short of delivering the anticipated outcomes. This revelation points to a significant misalignment in the approach organizations take towards tech adoption and utilization.

According to the survey, 51% of senior business decision makers reported that their organizations' latest technology investments have not fully achieved the intended results. The findings suggest that companies often place too much emphasis on the initial implementation of technology without adequately preparing for the critical changes required in workflows and employee behavior thereafter.

The Disconnect Between Implementation and Adoption

The research highlights a disconnect between technology implementation and actual adoption within organizations. Many companies mistakenly assume that the go-live moment marks the end of the development process. However, as Melissa Jezior, president and CEO of Eagle Hill Consulting, explains, the real challenge begins after deployment. "Technology alone doesn't create value. People using it differently do," she states, emphasizing the need for organizations to transform their workflows and decision-making processes alongside tech implementation.

Notably, only 35% of surveyed leaders indicated that their organizations accounted for the impacts on day-to-day operations prior to rolling out new technologies. Furthermore, one-third of respondents acknowledged that the persistent use of outdated processes and workaround practices hindered their ability to leverage new technologies effectively.

The Importance of Changing Workflows

The early signs of value loss typically occur immediately post-implementation. Employees reverting to previous methods or failing to integrate new systems can significantly undermine the potential benefits of technological investments. Successful organizations, according to the study, focus not only on deploying the technology but also on enhancing workflows, reinforcing desired behavioral changes, and consistently measuring whether employees are adapting to new practices.

Jezior points out that many organizations view technology change management as merely a training and communications effort. In contrast, those that see the greatest returns on their investments adopt a more holistic strategy that assesses how work needs to evolve, aligns technology with those processes, and actively monitors whether new behaviors are being adopted.

Key Practices for Success

Based on the survey findings, several key practices can differentiate successful organizations from those struggling to realize the value of their technology investments:
1. Start with Work, Not Technology: Understanding the tasks and workflows that need to change should take precedence over the technology itself.
2. Measure Changed Behaviors: Instead of solely tracking technology usage, organizations should focus on whether employee behaviors have shifted as intended.
3. Manage Adoption as an Ongoing Discipline: Technology adoption should not be treated as a one-off project but as a continuous operational discipline requiring consistent oversight and refinement.

As organizational investments in artificial intelligence and other innovative technologies grow, Eagle Hill Consulting advises leaders to thoroughly assess how these technologies will transform work dynamics before beginning implementation. Without this focus, even well-executed deployments might fail to deliver meaningful business results.

Conclusion

The results of the Eagle Hill Consulting 2026 Senior Business Decision Makers Survey highlight a critical challenge many organizations face in the digital age: the need for a strategic approach to technology adoption that prioritizes change management alongside technological advancements. By refocusing efforts on how technology impacts workflows and employee behaviors, organizations can better position themselves to reap the rewards of their investments, driving enhanced efficiency and innovation in the long term.