Process and Performance Management Priorities & Challenges for 2026

Why It Matters

Understanding these trends enables executives to prioritize investments that drive operational excellence and maintain competitive advantage in a rapidly evolving market.

Key Takeaways

• Organizations prioritize data-driven process management.
• Continuous improvement faces talent and technology gaps.
• Project management struggles with resource allocation.
• Strategic planning emphasizes agility and outcome metrics.
• Benchmarking adoption remains uneven across industries.

Pulse Analysis

In 2026, process and performance management is being reshaped by digital transformation, AI‑enabled analytics, and the lingering effects of hybrid work models. Companies are no longer content with static procedures; they demand real‑time visibility and quantifiable impact. This shift pushes leaders to adopt data‑centric process frameworks that integrate predictive insights, ensuring that every workflow contributes directly to strategic goals. The pressure to demonstrate ROI accelerates the adoption of advanced measurement tools, turning performance management into a continuous, evidence‑based discipline.

Within this broader context, APQC’s research identifies six priority domains. Process management is moving toward automated, data‑driven governance, while continuous improvement programs wrestle with talent shortages and the need for upskilled resources to leverage new technologies. Project management teams report resource allocation bottlenecks as initiatives compete for limited budgets. Meanwhile, strategic planning is increasingly anchored in agility, with organizations setting outcome‑based metrics that can be adjusted as market conditions evolve. Data and measurement practices are becoming more sophisticated, employing dashboards that blend operational KPIs with financial indicators to provide a holistic performance view.

Benchmarking emerges as both a challenge and an opportunity. While many firms recognize its value for identifying performance gaps, adoption remains uneven across sectors, often hampered by data silos and inconsistent standards. APQC’s webinar offers a roadmap for overcoming these barriers by leveraging industry‑wide benchmarks and best‑practice repositories. By aligning internal processes with proven external standards, organizations can accelerate operational excellence, reduce waste, and position themselves for sustained growth in an increasingly competitive landscape.

Original Description

What’s shaping process and performance management in 2026?

As the year unfolds, organizations are navigating shifting priorities, emerging technologies, and increasing pressure to deliver measurable impact. In this on-demand webinar, Madison Lundquist, APQC’s Process and Performance Management Research Lead, shares insights from APQC’s annual priorities and challenges research.

This session explores how organizations are approaching:

✅ Process Management

✅ Continuous Improvement

✅ Project Management

✅ Strategic Planning

✅ Data and Measurement

✅ Benchmarking

You’ll gain a clear view of where organizations are focusing their efforts—and where they’re facing the greatest challenges.

Watch the replay to benchmark your approach, align with leading practices, and prepare your organization for success in 2026.

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