Technology companies are among the fastest-growing organisations in today’s economy. In the 2026 RSM Technology Industry Outlook, 48% of the 300 business leaders we surveyed said they are focused on rapid revenue growth in the next 12 months – even at the expense of short-term profitability. However, as rapid growth takes priority, it is essential that the organisation’s operational foundation and technology stack evolve in harmony with these growth ambitions.

Informal ways of working that once enabled agility can quickly become a liability, as can technology that once supported the business. Undocumented processes, obsolete technology, ad-hoc decision-making and reliance on key individuals can introduce inefficiencies and operational risk. These can complicate due diligence and deter potential investors, ultimately hindering growth.

To mitigate this, understanding who is doing what, where, how, and most importantly, why is critical to operate strategically, instead of reactively.

Process and system challenges technology companies face when scaling operations

Common pitfalls in scaling processes and building a resilient technology framework can quietly stall an organisation’s growth ambitions.

Internal control weaknesses

In the early stages, controls are often not formalised and rely on a small number of individuals, which aids agility and flexibility. However, as the organisation grows, the reliance on those individuals and the lack of formal, systemised controls can create regulatory and compliance risks. Excessive levels of control, on the other hand, can hinder agility. The key is to establish a structured framework that ensures visibility and accountability while empowering teams to remain flexible and responsive to change.

Outdated and complex processes and technology

Over three-quarters of technology companies are confident they will grow over the next five years, and just under half are prioritising rapid revenue, even at the expense of profit. Such growth often leads to non-standard processes, manual workarounds and bloated technology stacks with disconnected or overlapping systems. These issues undermine efficiency by creating duplicated effort, reliance on knowledge held by individuals and limited agility to adapt to new opportunities or business models.

The value of data and data protection

The recent surge in cyber attacks impacting major corporations like M&S and smaller businesses such as Jeremy Clarkson’s pub highlights the need for robust cyber security to avoid the loss of valuable data. A single breach can quickly turn a growing company into a struggling one. Our survey signals growing awareness of the importance of cyber security, as 30% of technology businesses plan to allocate secured funding towards cyber security investments over the next 12 months.

Misaligned technology investments

There is a fine balance to strike between innovation and jumping on the latest technological bandwagon. Our survey demonstrates that 34% of businesses are already using AI in both product development and operational processes, signalling a strong appetite for innovation. However, it is important that companies weigh the potential value of harnessing new technology against the opportunity costs of prioritising it over more proven solutions.

Six essentials for scalable technological growth

Avoiding these pitfalls requires a proactive, people-centric approach focused on resilience and the future needs of the business.

We recommend starting with six fundamentals:

Identify and eliminate single points of failure

Map out where processes depend on specific individuals. Ask yourself: What happens if they’re unavailable? Are they the right individual to be performing this task? Where are our operations most at risk? To reduce dependency and build resilience, consider cross-training your teams, documenting workflows and automating routine controls in your technology systems where possible.

Leverage standard processes first

Standard processes and workflows often meet 60-80% of business needs and are designed for reliability. Start with out-of-the-box system capabilities, then be deliberate about where you customise. Focus only on areas that differentiate your business and deliver measurable value. This disciplined approach reduces unnecessary complexity and the risk of disruption when your systems are upgraded due to the fragility of custom code.

Drive accountability and adoption

Well-designed processes and neatly designed controls don’t guarantee strong execution; your people do. Change and growth can come suddenly, such as after an acquisition, forcing teams to quickly shift from a more relaxed way of working to one with higher expectations. It’s vital to embed new behaviours early to reinforce accountability and buy-in. Assign clear ownership, engage end-users in the journey, and invest in change management to ensure adoption sticks.

Define your future state technology architecture

To define your future state architecture, review the overall business strategy and understand the capabilities that you will need to deliver it. Against this, identify the systems that you have that can scale with the business and those that will need to be replaced. Consider creating a roadmap, linked to business growth, that outlines when new technology will be introduced.

Embed ownership of solutions and data throughout your organisation

It is important that technology and data solutions are not owned by a small number of technology specialists. Encouraging the whole organisation to understand the systems used and the data available will help drive innovation and greater efficiency. People are more likely to embrace new solutions if they are invested from the start – something we explore in more detail in our article on talent and organisational design for growing tech companies.

Don’t neglect cyber security

Make sure that you have someone within your organisation who takes ownership of your cyber security and that you have identified any potential weaknesses in your systems and processes. Consider how you will train and check that your people are aware of the risks to the business of cyber attacks, and that you are keeping abreast of the latest good practices.

The impact of a strong technology and operational foundation on growth

Scaling successfully starts with a strong foundation. By addressing key control weaknesses, standardising processes where possible and empowering teams within a structured framework, technology companies can scale with confidence. Combining operational maturity with a secure, modern technology platform positions you to maximise the value of your data, positioning your business for long-term success in a dynamic market.

How we can help your technology organisation scale effectively

We help technology companies establish the strong operational foundations required to scale with confidence. Whether you're looking to redesign your organisational structure to be future-ready, strengthen internal processes and controls, consolidate and implement systems, or prepare for a transaction or exit, we’re here to support you throughout your growth journey.

Please get in touch with Alex Good for more information.