Menu

Strategy

Transformation

Plain English

A major change in how something works.

Definition

Transformation is a fundamental change in how a , organisation, or experience operates, often involving structure, , and .

In practice

Applied to redesigning , improving experiences, or shifting how organisations deliver value.

In context

It is measured properly only by what stopped. If nothing was decommissioned, no role changed and no was retired, the organisation added rather than transforming.

The reality

Transformation is often treated as a one-off project, but it’s an ongoing .

Compared with

Transformation vs Change Management

Transformation is the destination, a fundamentally different way of operating. is the discipline of getting people there. fail on the second far more often than the first.

FAQ

Common questions

A few practical answers to the questions that usually come up around this term.

What is transformation?

Transformation is a fundamental change in how something operates.

How is transformation different from improvement?

Transformation is a major shift, while improvement is incremental.

Why is transformation difficult?

It requires changes to , , and .

What drives transformation?

Technology, user needs, and business goals.

Related Services

Related Guides

Related Terms

LET'S WORK TOGETHER

Ready to improve your product?

UX, research and product leadership for teams tackling complex digital services.

Previous feedback

I had a fantastic experience working with Andy. One of his most impressive achievements during our time at NHS HEE was masterminding a deeply complex information architecture for a new platform that brought together a large number of legacy websites.

Will Parkhouse

Senior Content Designer