Why Most Data Projects Fail - and How to Build a Foundation That Actually Works
For years, we’ve all heard the stat: “80% of data and IT projects fail.”
But here’s the truth no one likes to say out loud:
They don’t fail because the technology wasn’t good enough.
They fail because the organisation wasn’t ready.
Before the project even begins, the foundations are already cracking.
Most companies want analytics, automation, or AI… while still operating with:
Messy, inconsistent, ungoverned data
KPIs with multiple definitions depending on who you ask
Siloed systems stitched together over a decade
Manual reporting that no one trusts
No clear data ownership or accountability
When you build on broken foundations, even the best tech collapses.
The Real Root Cause: Data Readiness
Success isn’t determined at go-live.
It’s determined on day one, long before the tool is bought or the project kicks off.
Data projects fail because:
Data quality is unknown
Governance doesn’t exist
Business rules aren’t aligned
Tech is outdated or unscalable
Teams aren’t clear on required decisions
So teams end up firefighting downstream problems instead of building value.
What Does Data Readiness Look Like?
A data-ready organisation has:
A single source of truth
Clear KPI definitions and documentation
Accessible, governed, trusted data
Ownership for domains and decisions
Infrastructure that scales with demand
This is the difference between building an engine and bolting decorations on a broken car.
How Hexagon Fixes Foundations First
Before any tool, dashboard, or AI project, we deliver:
Data audits & root-cause analysis
Modern data architecture design
Governance frameworks
KPI standardisation
Migration to a scalable platform (like Snowflake)
It’s the “boring stuff” that actually delivers the big wins.
If you want the project to succeed, fix the foundations first.
Everything else becomes easier.
Book a Data Foundations Assessment: www.hexagondata.co.uk/booknow