How to Build a Transformation Strategy That Holds

Fragmented AI and IT strategies are slowing progress. Here's how a connected approach changes that.
By Janine Wegner |
August 18, 2026August 6, 2026

Topics in this article [Artificial Intelligence](/en-us/blog/tags/artificial-intelligence/)

Key takeaways 6 min read

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Nearly half of enterprises are struggling to keep pace with disruption, and fragmented AI, workplace and infrastructure strategies are a core reason why progress stalls.

• A connected transformation strategy that ties together workplace modernization, data center infrastructure, AI adoption and security helps organizations move from intent to measurable outcomes.

• Enterprises are consolidating around strategic partners who co-create multi-year roadmaps and bring the scale to move AI from pilot to production, and Dell is positioned to fill that role.

The pressure is real. Technology leaders today are navigating a landscape where the pace of change keeps accelerating, yet clarity about the path forward remains frustratingly out of reach. According to Dell’s new Modern Enterprise Readiness Study, nearly half of enterprises say they’re struggling to keep up with disruption, and 54% admit they don’t know what the next three to five years will look like for their industry. That’s not a minor concern. It’s a signal that something in the approach needs to change. The good news is that the problem isn’t the ambition. It’s the architecture of the strategy itself.

The hidden cost of running in silos

Most enterprises aren’t lacking effort. They’re running AI initiatives, workplace upgrades and data center modernization programs simultaneously. The issue is that these workstreams are often managed as if they’re entirely separate problems, with different teams, different vendors and different timelines.

Seven in 10 technology leaders agree that running AI, workplace and data center modernization as separate initiatives makes it harder to operate efficiently. That friction compounds over time. Decisions made in isolation create technical debt, integration headaches and duplicated spend. Progress feels slower than it should and outcomes feel harder to pin down.

AI isn’t just a feature you bolt onto existing infrastructure. It’s becoming the operating model of the modern enterprise. That shift requires a foundation where workplace, data center, security and AI work together, not alongside each other as separate tracks.

Smarter investment starts with clearer priorities

Macroeconomic conditions are adding another layer of complexity. With 82% of enterprises reporting that external pressures are forcing them to be more selective and outcome-driven with technology investments, there’s less room for initiatives that don’t demonstrate a clear return.

But this pressure can actually sharpen decision-making. When resources are constrained, organizations are forced to be deliberate. They stop chasing every trend and start asking which investments genuinely reinforce each other. That’s a productive shift, and it’s the foundation of a connected transformation strategy.

Fifty percent of technology leaders say they lack a clear, actionable roadmap for innovation across AI, data and security. That gap is worth addressing directly, because without a shared roadmap, even well-funded programs tend to drift.

What a connected strategy actually looks like

A connected transformation strategy isn’t about doing more. It’s about making sure the pieces reinforce each other.

It starts with the workplace. Modern, AI-capable devices give employees the tools they need to benefit from AI in their daily work. Outdated devices don’t just frustrate employees. 81% of leaders agree they actively limit the ability to adopt new AI-enabled applications.

Infrastructure is the next layer. Data center modernization, including consolidating onto fewer, more powerful platforms and ensuring storage can support data-intensive workloads, creates the capacity that AI actually requires. Without it, AI efforts stall at the pilot stage.

Security runs through all of it. Ninety percent of enterprises expect security to be embedded in every proposal from a strategic partner, not treated as an afterthought. Building security into the foundation, rather than layering it on later, protects AI investments and enables faster, more confident adoption.

When these four pillars — workplace, infrastructure, AI and security — are connected, transformation gains traction. Progress in one area accelerates the others.

The case for a strategic partner

Technology leaders are also rethinking who they’re building this strategy with. Seventy-five percent of enterprises are replacing transactional vendors with partners who co-create multi-year roadmaps and share accountability for outcomes. Another 82% say they’d prefer to join more of their technology needs with a single strategic partner where possible.

The reasoning is straightforward. Moving AI from a pilot to a production-scale deployment requires coordination across hardware, software, services and security. A partner who can deliver across all of those dimensions, and help design the roadmap, doesn’t just reduce complexity. They accelerate results.

That’s what Dell is built to do. With a full portfolio spanning AI-capable devices, data center infrastructure and integrated security and services, Dell works alongside organizations to build and execute the kind of connected strategy that takes AI from intention to impact.

Start with the strategy, not the sprint

Every organization’s starting point is different. Some have strong infrastructure but need help connecting it to AI outcomes. Others have momentum on AI pilots but haven’t modernized the workplace or secured the foundation. Wherever you are, the next step is the same: get clear on where the gaps are and build a plan that ties everything together.

Connect with a Dell expert at a nearby Dell Technologies Forum to explore what a connected transformation strategy looks like for your organization. Whether you’re refining a roadmap you already have or starting fresh, the right conversation can turn complexity into clarity.

Frequently Asked Questions:
Why do so many enterprise transformation efforts stall despite significant investment?

The most common reason is fragmentation. AI, workplace modernization and data center upgrades are frequently treated as separate programs with separate teams and separate vendors. Without a shared strategy connecting these efforts, decisions made in one area can create obstacles in another. Seven in 10 technology leaders agree that running these initiatives in silos makes it harder to operate efficiently. Aligning them under a unified roadmap is what enables consistent, measurable progress.

What does a “connected transformation strategy” actually mean in practice?

It means ensuring that the four core pillars of enterprise transformation — the modern workplace, data center infrastructure, AI adoption and security — are designed to reinforce each other rather than operate independently. For example, AI-capable devices in the workplace need to be paired with infrastructure that can support AI workloads at scale and security needs to be built into both layers from the start. When each investment informs and enables the others, organizations move faster and get more consistent outcomes.

How is macroeconomic pressure changing how enterprises invest in technology?

It’s making investment decisions more deliberate. With 82% of technology leaders reporting that economic conditions are forcing them to be more selective and outcome-driven, the era of broad, speculative tech spending is giving way to a focus on initiatives that demonstrate clear business impact. This doesn’t mean slowing down; it means making smarter bets. Organizations that can articulate why each investment matters and how it connects to broader goals are in a stronger position to move quickly when the opportunity is right.

What should organizations look for in a strategic technology partner?

The data points to a few clear priorities. The ability to deliver strong security and cyber-resilience capabilities ranks first among factors that shift a vendor from transactional to strategic. Enterprises also value end-to-end services, an integrated portfolio across devices, data center, AI and services and the ability to co-create multi-year roadmaps. Seventy-five percent of organizations are actively moving away from transactional vendors toward partners who share accountability for outcomes over the long term.

How does security fit into an AI transformation strategy?

Security isn’t a separate track. It’s a foundational requirement. Ninety percent of technology leaders expect security to be embedded in every partner proposal, not added on after the fact. For AI specifically, security and compliance concerns are the leading reason organizations slow or pause adoption. Building security into the workplace, infrastructure and AI layers from the start reduces that friction and enables faster, more confident deployment. Choosing a partner who treats security as a core capability, rather than an optional add-on, makes a meaningful difference at scale.

*Source: Modern Enterprise Readiness Study, a Dell Technologies and Vanson Bourne survey across 2,950 business and IT decision makers from 35 countries, Jun 2026.

About the Author: Janine Wegner

Janine Wegner is an international marketing leader responsible for Dell Technologies’ global thought leadership strategy to position the company as technology visionary and innovator. Over the past decade, she has set the vision, strategy, and operational direction for many impactful marketing programs across local, regional and global teams. Her experience ranges from digital, social, brand and thought leadership marketing and communications. She also led the strategy for Dell’s entrepreneurship programs and acted as Chief of Staff for the Entrepreneur-in-Residence Office. Prior to Dell, she worked in marketing roles at eBay, Philips International and start-ups.

Janine is an industry speaker and guest lecturer on topics such as social media, influencer relations, multi-channel marketing and thought leadership. In 2020 and 2023, TopRank Marketing named her one of the Top 20 Influencer Marketing Experts to Follow. Janine holds two Bachelor and three Master degrees from universities across four countries. She’s originally from Germany and currently resides in Austin, Texas, USA.

Topics in this article [Artificial Intelligence](/en-us/blog/tags/artificial-intelligence/)