ISG Case Study Research
2025 Standouts and Highlights
About ISG Case Study Research
ISG Case Study Research examines standout case studies from providers to identify the outstanding attributes and factors that contribute to the success and outcome achievement for clients. This research is unique in its focus on how enterprises partner with providers.
Based on this research, ISG Case Study Standouts recognize the best-in-class work done by service providers in collaboration with enterprise clients. These Standouts are selected based on a multi-dimensional assessment of collaboration from case studies submitted to the ISG Case Study Research.
Selected Research Findings
Submissions to the ISG Case Study Research program increased by about 35% year over year, reflecting broad-based demand for transformation programs across industries and geographies. The mix of submissions also expanded, with increased representation across global engagements and a stronger presence from additional regions compared to the previous year.
- AI-enabled approaches were reflected in nearly half of the submissions in 2025, up from about one-third in 2024, underscoring the growing role of AI as an embedded capability within transformation programs, rather than a standalone initiative.
- ISG also found a key component to success that remained as important as the prior year: long-term, strategic partnerships. In 2025, a substantially larger share of submissions described work delivered through ongoing relationships or multi-project programs, reinforcing that trust, continuity, and sustained collaboration are central to executing complex transformation agendas.
- Operational transformation continued to dominate enterprise priorities. In 2025, a clear majority of submissions referenced operational transformation as a strategic objective, with frequent emphasis on modernization programs designed to improve resilience, agility, and end-to-end operating efficiency — including continued efforts to reduce reliance on legacy systems.
- Sustainability and diversity considerations also appeared more frequently in submissions, indicating that providers are increasingly expected to articulate outcomes beyond core operational metrics as part of transformation delivery and value creation.
These are select few examples of findings that focus on the partnerships between clients and their providers. As part of this research, ISG has identified additional observations and findings from an analysis of hundreds of case studies along with the publishing of standout case studies.
Providers with Case Study Standout in 2025
Provider logos shown in alphabetical order within a group.
