Future-ready by design - Reinventing operating models for the AI era

 In this time of technological disruption and market volatility, organizations face a defining choice: adapt their operating models or fall behind.

Senior leaders across Germany, France, the UK, the Netherlands, and other European markets shared perspectives on the impact of digitalization, the readiness of current operating models, and the strategic priorities shaping future transformation. Drawing on a survey of nearly 400 C-level executives, the study highlights where organizations are making progress and where critical gaps remain.

Operating model transformation is on the agenda of CEOs. The most successful organizations are those where leadership sees TOM design as a strategic priority – not just as an organizational side project.

Remy Sergent, Partner at BearingPoint

What to expect

Target Operating Models (TOMs) are evolving from static organizational frameworks into dynamic, continuously adapting systems. As digitalization and AI reshape the business landscape, operating models must evolve to enable agility, resilience, and continuous adaptation.

This study provides cross-industry and cross-country insights into how leaders are reshaping structures, decision cycles, capabilities, and governance to unlock new value. It highlights the readiness gaps that slow transformation and identifies where mature organizations differentiate themselves.

Europe is at an inflection point. The ability to build digital and AI-enabled operating models will define the competitiveness of European companies over the next five years.

Tobias Liebscher, Partner at BearingPoint

Our study reveals a clear gap: technological readiness is increasing, but organizational transformation is not keeping pace. With only 4% of executives rating their TOM as fully effective, this is a wake-up call for European businesses.

Tobias Liebscher, Partner at BearingPoint

 What do executives see as the most impactful drivers of transformation?

Download the full report

The complete BearingPoint TOM Study 2025 includes deeper executive insights on:

• Most impactful transformation drivers
• Current maturity of target operating models
• Transformation readiness
• Actionable recommendations