If it can't be quantified it's probably not worth your time or theirs, seek something that is.

This

If you're stuck [...] with individuals who can't articulate/quantify their pain it might be best to seek other opportunities.

and this. Thanks. I come to realise that the best opportunities/credentials I have so far, are the ones that were closely related to performance improvements. Whereas the ones that were most dreadful to negotiate and execute were the projects with no tangible outcome. Those were also the ones that also had the least sponsor buy-in.