Blueprint 2 continues to drift behind schedule, what does it mean for the market?

While the ambition behind the programme remains strong, the reality is that integrating systems across carriers, brokers, and vendors is proving far more complex than initially anticipated. Interoperability challenges, data standards, and differing levels of digital maturity are all slowing progress. From speaking to my network, the delay isn’t just a timeline issue, it’s a becoming a business impact issue.

- Rising costs: Organisations now face the ongoing expense of maintaining ageing legacy platforms while simultaneously investing in transformation initiatives designed for a future that keeps moving further away.
- Alignment fatigue: Teams are stuck in a state of continuous alignment and re-alignment as plans shift, requirements evolve, and milestones get pushed back.
- Operational strain: Balancing “run the business” and “transform the business” becomes harder when transformation cycles extend over years rather than quarters given the continual delay. 
- Cultural resistance: Prolonged uncertainty breeds fatigue, scepticism, and resistance to further change, even when the change is necessary. 

That said, amongst conversations I am having that despite the challenges, the extended timeline can also be an opportunity for insurers to strengthen their foundations:

- Improve data quality to ensure cleaner, richer, and more reliable information flows into future digital processes.
- Advance API integration so that systems are genuinely interoperable when Blueprint 2 capabilities go live.
- Optimise internal platforms and rationalise system landscapes to reduce complexity ahead of major market shifts.
- Enhance readiness across people, processes, and technology turning delay into preparation rather than stagnation.

My general view is from both discussions and general material I am observing is that there is still a shared commitment across the market to deliver the change Blueprint 2 represents, intent is still clear, and the industry understands the importance of getting this right especially with the associated investment as well as time absorbed so far. 

But with yet another milestone ahead… the question now is, will the next deadline be hit?