Embridge Consulting Introduces “Elastic Change” To Tackle Why ERP and Transformation Projects Fail
•February 12, 2026
0
Why It Matters
With 88% of transformation initiatives missing targets, Elastic Change offers a people‑first, adaptable methodology that can improve ROI and long‑term system adoption for enterprises.
Key Takeaways
- •88% of ERP transformations fail original objectives
- •Elastic Change blends tech excellence, scalable services, EQ leadership
- •EQ leadership focuses on people’s experience during change
- •Framework shifts from fixed projects to long‑term partnerships
- •Flexible model adapts to evolving business conditions
Pulse Analysis
The enterprise software landscape has entered an era where cloud migration, AI‑driven analytics, and subscription models turn traditional, one‑off ERP rollouts into ongoing journeys. Industry studies consistently show that close to nine out of ten transformation programmes fall short of their original goals, often because static roadmaps cannot keep pace with shifting market dynamics, budget reallocations, or evolving user expectations. Executives therefore seek frameworks that treat change as a continuous capability rather than a finite project, a need that Embridge’s Elastic Change directly addresses.
Elastic Change rests on three interlocking pillars: technology excellence, expandable services, and emotionally intelligent leadership. The first pillar guarantees deep functional expertise across core ERP modules, FP&A, source‑to‑pay and HR, ensuring that the technical foundation remains robust as new cloud features emerge. Expandable services replace fixed‑scope contracts with scalable engagements that grow alongside the organization’s maturity. The differentiator, however, is the emphasis on EQ leadership—encouraging managers to recognize the human impact of constant change, foster empathy, and adjust communication in real time, which research links to higher user adoption and lower turnover.
For CIOs and transformation officers, adopting an elastic approach translates into measurable business benefits: faster time‑to‑value, reduced re‑implementation costs, and a healthier organizational culture that can absorb future disruptions. As more vendors embed continuous‑delivery models into their ERP suites, consultancies that can blend technical depth with people‑centric change management will gain a competitive edge. Embridge’s shift toward long‑term partnerships signals a broader market movement, where success is judged not by the go‑live date but by sustained operational resilience and strategic agility.
Embridge Consulting Introduces “Elastic Change” to Tackle Why ERP and Transformation Projects Fail
UK-based consultancy Embridge Consulting has unveiled a new transformation framework designed to address one of the most persistent challenges in enterprise technology initiatives: why so many ERP and digital transformation programs fail to deliver lasting results.
Branded “Elastic Change,” the approach reflects a shift away from rigid, project-led transformation toward a model that flexes as business conditions evolve, scales with organisational maturity, and—critically—sticks because people are supported throughout the process.
Why Traditional ERP Transformations Struggle
Despite continued investment in ERP, cloud platforms, and analytics, industry research suggests that 88% of transformation initiatives fail to achieve their original objectives. According to Embridge, the issue is rarely the goal itself—such as replacing an ERP system, consolidating data, or optimising operations—but the way change is delivered.
“Objectives evolve, resources move, and people resist,” said Daniel Chilton, Chief Experience Officer at Embridge Consulting. “When transformation is delivered in a rigid way, it struggles to keep pace with reality. An elastic approach makes the difference.”
This perspective aligns with a broader trend across ERP and enterprise transformation: as cloud, AI, and continuous optimisation replace one-off implementations, change itself has become a constant, not a phase.
The Role of Emotional Intelligence in Transformation
A defining element of Embridge’s Elastic Change framework is its emphasis on Emotionally Intelligent (EQ) leadership. Rather than treating change management as a supporting function, the model positions leadership awareness and empathy as core enablers of transformation success.
According to Embridge, EQ leadership goes beyond being “people-centric.” It requires leaders to understand the impact of change on themselves and their teams—and to respond dynamically as pressures, priorities, and policies shift.
“In the end, technology and processes don’t burn out,” Chilton noted. “People do.”
For ERP and enterprise leaders, this reflects a growing recognition that human sustainability is as critical as technical architecture—particularly in long-running, multi-system transformation programs.
The Three Es of Elastic Change
Under the Elastic Change model, Embridge combines what it describes as its three Es:
-
Excellence in Technology – Deep expertise across ERP, financial planning and analysis (FP&A), source-to-pay, HR, recruitment, and operational systems
-
Expandable Services – Flexible, scalable services that evolve with organisational needs rather than fixed-scope projects
-
Emotionally Intelligent Leadership – A leadership-led approach that acknowledges the lived experience of transformation
Together, these pillars aim to keep transformation moving in environments where business conditions rarely stand still.
From One-Off Projects to Long-Term Partnerships
Founded in 2009, Embridge Consulting has delivered complex transformation programs across the public sector, NHS and healthcare, higher education, not-for-profit organisations, and professional services. Over time, the firm has evolved from traditional implementation engagements toward long-term partnerships designed to support continuous change.
Emma O’Brien, Founder and CEO of Embridge Consulting, said the shift was driven by what the firm observed in practice.
“As technology, cloud platforms, and AI turned change from a cycle into a constant, traditional project-led transformation struggled to keep pace,” she said. “Plans became outdated, and people carried the strain.”
The Elastic Change framework represents Embridge’s response to that reality—aligning flexible services, strong technology foundations, and leadership models that recognise the human cost of transformation.
A Signal for ERP and Transformation Leaders
For ERP decision-makers, Embridge’s announcement highlights a key signal emerging across the transformation landscape: success is no longer defined by system go-live, but by sustained adoption, resilience, and organisational health.
As enterprises move deeper into cloud- and AI-enabled operating models, approaches like Elastic Change suggest that the future of ERP transformation will be less about fixed roadmaps—and more about adaptability, leadership, and people-first execution.
The post Embridge Consulting Introduces “Elastic Change” to Tackle Why ERP and Transformation Projects Fail appeared first on ERP News.
0
Comments
Want to join the conversation?
Loading comments...