Redefining Project Success
to Realize True Transformation
ADVISORY ARTICLE
By Madison Lundquist
Principal Research Lead
Process and Performance Management
APQC, Texas, USA
Stop thinking about digitial initiatives as launching new tools. It’s time to see digital projects for what they are: springboards to new ways of working.
Despite deep investments in digital solutions, many organizations are still struggling to fundamentally change how work gets done. Platforms are deployed, but real transformation rarely follows. In 2026, this gap is becoming much harder to ignore.
The most common reasons digital initiatives fall short are not technical but organizational. Recent APQC research finds that poor integration with existing systems, unclear return on investment, and resistance from employees or culture are the main reasons initiatives fail to meet expectations. But these challenges generally stem from one underlying issue: projects are delivered, but the work of understanding and sustainably changing core business processes is left unfinished.
Project managers will recognize this pattern immediately. When projects move forward without clear agreement on how work is supposed to change, familiar problems follow. Success is measured by delivery milestones rather than business results. Stakeholder engagement drops once requirements are approved. Plans are slow to adapt as new information emerges. These challenges may appear distinct, but they can often be traced to the same dynamic that undermines digital transformation at large. Projects are delivered without anyone forcing clarity on how work should flow differently once new systems are in place. The mechanics are handled, but the operating reality is not.
In 2026, as generative AI and automation become part of everyday work, organizations face a moment of truth. Will project leaders step up? Will they be empowered to help project teams move beyond this familiar hurdle?
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How to cite this article: Lundquist, M. (2026). The Challenge for 2026: Redefining Project Success to Realize True Transformation, PM World Journal, Vol. XV, Issue IV, April. Available online at https://pmworldjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/pmwj163-Apr2026-Lundquist-The-Challenge-for-2026.pdf
About the Author
Madison Lundquist
Texas, USA
Madison Lundquist leads APQC’s research on process and performance management. She uncovers best practices and performance metrics that help organizations improve efficiency and agility. Known for blending quantitative analysis with practical strategies, Madison’s work helps organizations develop data-driven process programs and adopt proven approaches to continuous improvement.
Email: mlundquist@apqc.org | Web: www.apqc.org
