Forget Digital Transformation, Think Digital Evolution

We’ve all heard the phrase digital transformation more times than we can count. But in many cases, what’s billed as transformation ends up as disruption - with spiralling costs, missed deadlines and, ultimately, unmet expectations.

The NHS’s Federated Data Platform is one of the most high profile examples. Touted as the largest digital transformation programme in UK healthcare, it has faced criticism over a lack of transparency, questions about value for money and serious doubts about its ability to deliver on its original promise.

It’s not a one off. Large scale transformation efforts across both public and private sectors often run into the same issues - they go over budget, take longer than planned and fail to achieve the outcomes they were supposed to deliver. The intention might be right, but the execution too often assumes you can upend years of systems, processes and culture in one sweeping move.

There’s a better way though - rather than aiming for all or nothing transformation, organisations should focus on digital evolution. That means solving one problem at a time, learning as you go and making continuous improvements that align with a broader vision.

It’s about staying grounded in the day to day reality of how teams work and what users actually need. Grand strategies don’t mean much if the tools don’t function, or if they add more friction than they remove. Real progress happens when you chip away at pain points and build momentum, piece by piece.

This approach also helps bring people with you. Large transformation projects can be overwhelming - not just for leadership, but for the teams expected to deliver and adopt them. Evolution creates space for feedback, for iteration and for buy in. It turns the process from something top down into something more collaborative.

Using the NHS as an example again. Instead of trying to overhaul data infrastructure across the whole system in one go, why not start with a single trust? Prove what’s possible, demonstrate real outcomes and use that as a blueprint for scaling. It’s a more measured, sustainable approach - one that’s more likely to win trust and deliver meaningful change.

This kind of iterative thinking isn’t new, but it’s rarely given the airtime it deserves. It’s not as flashy as a full transformation, but it works. Set interim milestones. Learn fast. Stay close to the users. Keep iterating.