Complexity that causes issues for business builds happens gradually - until it stifles Innovation, blocks change, and even hinders day to day operations.

It often starts with a new system being introduced to solve a problem without it being embedded properly, with just one owner who keeps the knowledge to themselves, or a department that does not share with the wider business. Before long, people are logging into multiple systems,  accessing reports that have little meaning, copying information from one place to another and spending more time finding than using information.

If that sounds familiar, you're not alone. From working with organisations across manufacturing, logistics, business services, property, hospitality, education, leisure and more, we have seen how complexity builds over time in every sector.  It's rarely caused by one bad decision. More often, it's the result of years of abstract decisions, business churn, and processes that no longer fit together as well as they once did.

The result has a compound impact on operational efficiency.

• Information is harder to find.
• Reporting becomes more complicated.
• Introducing new technology feels harder than it should.

Why we're talking about this now

For the last couple of years, AI has dominated technology conversations and rightly so. It’s delivering game changing advances in the way software and bespoke systems can be delivered and implemented, and in the right circumstances, it can make a significant difference to software and operations.  

What we're finding, however, is that many organisations are still trying to unravel the build up in complexity to achieve:

• Connected systems
• Better data
• Simpler processes
• Software that supports the way the business works

Without those foundations, even the best technology struggles to deliver the results people expect.

That's why we've launched the Propel Tech Business Complexity Survey 2026 

We're asking senior leaders across the UK to tell us where complexity is affecting their organisations, what's getting in the way, and where they believe technology, AI and bespoke software can make the biggest difference.

We want to hear from people running businesses and managing operations. We're interested in the answers to questions such as:

• What's creating the most operational complexity?
• Which processes cause the biggest frustrations?
• How much time is lost every week because systems don't work together?
• What's stopping organisations modernising their technology?
• Where do businesses believe AI will genuinely add value?

The answers will help build a clearer picture of how UK organisations are managing increasing complexity and where software, systems integration and practical AI can have the greatest impact.

Once the survey closes, we'll publish the findings in our  UK Operational Complexity Report 2026.

We'll explore:

• The biggest causes of operational complexity.
•  The sectors experiencing the greatest operational friction.
• Technology investment priorities.
• Attitudes towards software modernisation and AI.
• Practical recommendations for organisations looking to simplify operations.

We hope it becomes a useful benchmark for organisations planning their next technology investment, whether that's modernising existing systems, introducing bespoke software or exploring AI.

Have your say

If you're responsible for technology, operations or business performance, we'd really value your input.

The survey takes less than five minutes to complete and every response helps build a better picture of the challenges organisations are facing today.

Together, we can move the conversation beyond the latest technology trends and focus on something that affects almost every growing organisation: making business simpler.

Take part in the Propel Tech Business Complexity Survey 2026 here.