Why Your Framework Isn't the Problem—It's How You're Using It
"70% of business transformation projects fail."
You’ve probably heard this statistic before, right?
It’s tossed around in boardrooms and strategy sessions as a cautionary tale.
But here’s the kicker—this failure rate isn’t because we lack frameworks or methodologies.
It’s because we rely too heavily on them and forget the most crucial element of transformation: context.
I’m Heath Gascoigne, and I’ve spent over 15 years leading business transformations across industries. From working with the UK government to transforming FTSE100 companies, I’ve seen firsthand why so many projects miss the mark.
It’s not because frameworks like TOGAF or SAFe are inherently flawed—they have their place.
The real issue lies in how we apply these frameworks and who’s leading the charge.
Heres what we’ll cover (click the links to skip to the section below):
NB – Click to expand images 📸
Table of Contents
The Problem with Popular Frameworks
Let’s be clear: TOGAF and SAFe are excellent at what they were designed for.
TOGAF is fantastic for technology architecture, while SAFe shines in agile software development.
But here’s where it goes off the rails—these frameworks have been marketed as the end-all, be-all solutions for business transformation.
And that’s simply not true.
These frameworks became popular not because of their success rates in business transformation, but because of their marketing.
They’re backed by big consulting firms, promoted at conferences, and taught in certification courses.
But popularity doesn’t equal effectiveness.
You see, the industry is flooded with consultants who have rote-learned these frameworks.
They follow the book to the letter without understanding the nuanced layers, language, and levels within an organisation.
And this is where things start to go south.
Frameworks Don’t Transform—People Do
Here’s the reality: A framework is just a tool. It’s not a silver bullet.
The true differentiator in successful transformation projects is the skill of those leading it.
I call these individuals Business Transformators.
They’re not just following a framework; they’re adapting and applying it based on the unique context of each organisation.
A Business Transformator knows how to navigate the 3-L’s of business transformation—layers, language, and levels.
They understand that the C-suite speaks in terms of market share and competitive positioning, while operations folks talk about process efficiency and KPIs.
Implementation layers focus on the nitty-gritty details like system integrations and user requirements.
Each layer has its own language, its own focus, and requires a tailored approach.
Most consultants today, unfortunately, haven’t grasped this.
They’re trained to follow frameworks by the book.
They lack situational awareness and fail to apply methods and frameworks appropriately and proportionately for the context.
That’s why we end up with “interesting but sadly, useless” blueprints hanging in war rooms.
The War Room: Where Dreams Go to Die
Ever been in a “war room”?
You know, that room plastered with blueprints and diagrams, celebrating the pinning up of artefacts like it’s a great achievement?
Here’s the hard truth: If those blueprints don’t lead to actionable change, they’re just wall decor.
I’ve seen it happen time and time again—pretty presentations and “marketecture” that justify consulting fees but deliver zero value.
It’s all for show.
These artefacts serve as a way to bamboozle stakeholders with jargon and acronyms, making them feel like something substantial is happening.
The stakeholders nod in agreement, partly out of respect for the consultant’s “years of experience” and partly because they don’t want to appear less knowledgeable.
They agree to proposals they don’t fully understand and then, when the consultants rotate out, they go back to business as usual.
And what’s the result?
Transformation projects that deliver nothing but PowerPoint slides and glossy diagrams.
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👀 "The biggest myth in business transformation? That frameworks like TOGAF and SAFe are the answer to all your problems. They're not. It's not the framework; it's how you use it." #BusinessTransformation #FrameworkMyth #TOGAF #SAFe 💥
The Business Transformator: The Real Change Agent
This is where the Business Transformator steps in.
They don’t get caught up in jargon or frameworks for the sake of frameworks.
They understand that successful transformation is about understanding the organisation’s unique context and applying tools, techniques, and frameworks appropriately.
They’re part-strategist, part-designer, part-collaborator, and part-negotiator.
They know that a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work.
A true Business Transformator engages with each layer of the organisation.
They understand the C-suite’s high-level strategic goals and translate them into actionable plans for operations and implementation.
They know when to use a framework like TOGAF for its strengths in technology architecture and when to adapt another approach to address business needs.
They use the framework as a guide, not a rulebook.
Actionable Insights: What You Can Do Today
- Challenge the Frameworks:
- Assess Your Current State:
- Be a Business Transformator:
- Don’t Be Fooled by “Marketecture”:
Your Next Step: The Business Transformation Health Check
Ready to break free from the cycle of using popular but ineffective methods?
It’s time to think beyond the framework and focus on real, actionable transformation.
At HOBA Tech, we’ve developed an online Business Transformation Health Check to assess your current state, identify what’s working, and pinpoint what needs fixing.
You’ll get an overall score and individual scores against each element of the transformation journey to help you prioritise where to focus.
Take the Health Check now and start transforming the right way! 👉 take the health check
Final Thoughts
🚨 "Stop relying on 'popular' frameworks just because they're well-marketed. A true Business Transformator understands that success comes from applying tools appropriately and proportionately for the context, not blindly following a rulebook." #BusinessTransformator #HOBA #TransformationSuccess 🚀
Ready to Transform? Get Started Today!
Ready to elevate your transformation journey?
Contact us today for a free consultation and learn how to become a true Business Transformator.
Let’s transform—together. 🚀
Is Your Business Transformation on Track? 🚀
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- Free Assessment
- Expert Insights
💡 "Most war rooms are filled with ‘marketecture’—interesting but sadly, useless. If your blueprints don't lead to real change, they’re just wall decor." #WarRoomReality #BusinessArchitecture #TransformationTruths 🎯
At the end of the day, the key to successful business transformation isn’t just about the frameworks you use—it’s about how you use them. 📊
It’s about understanding the context, applying tools and techniques appropriately, and driving real, sustainable change.
The Business Transformator plays a pivotal role in this process, guiding your organisation through the layers, language, and levels to ensure every aspect of your business is aligned for success. 🌟
If you’re ready to move beyond the status quo and want a framework that actually works for your business, it’s time to take action.
HOBA Tech is here to provide you with the tools, skills, and mindset needed for a true transformation journey.
☎️ Ready to get started? Contact us today for a FREE consultation and learn how we can empower your business to transform effectively and efficiently.
🚀 Don’t forget to take advantage of our FREE Business Transformation Health Check for a customized report on where you stand and actionable steps to improve.
📘 Plus, grab your free copy of The Business Transformation Playbook using the code TRUTHBOMB (Value $49.00) and discover how HOBA can make a real difference in your transformation journey. 👉 Download here
Let’s transform—together. 🚀
Heath Gascoigne
P.S. If you want to join our Business Transformator community of 2,000+ like-minded Business Transformators, join the community on the Business Transformator Facebook Group here.
P.P.S. If you want to learn more about business transformation, check out The Business Transformation Playbook here.
For more information, visit https://www.hoba.tech
