- Process and Performance Improvement in 2026: Measuring Is Not Enough—You Must Manage

As organizations accelerate investments in digital transformation, AI, and automation, a critical reality is becoming increasingly clear:

The main challenge in process and performance improvement is not technology—it is management capability.

The APQC 2026 Process & Performance Management study reveals a consistent pattern:
many organizations measure performance but fail to manage it, invest heavily but struggle to generate sustainable business impact.

Why Process Management and Continuous Improvement Still Matter

Despite rapid technological advances, the top priorities for 2026 remain:

• Business Process Management (BPM)

• Continuous Improvement

This confirms a fundamental truth:
Technology cannot compensate for weak or fragmented processes.

Without clear end-to-end process ownership and strategic alignment:

• Improvement initiatives remain isolated

• Organizational learning is limited

• Gains are difficult to sustain or scale

The KPI Reality: Tracking Without Steering

Most organizations actively track:

• Financial results

• Customer satisfaction

• Operational metrics

Yet KPIs are often:

• Inconsistently used in decision-making

• Poorly standardized

• Based on data that leaders do not fully trust

As a result, KPIs become reporting artifacts, not management tools.

Effective performance management requires KPIs that:

• Are clearly linked to strategy

• Connect directly to processes

• Actively guide decisions and priorities

Digital and AI Investments: Why Impact Falls Short

The majority of organizations plan increased investments in:

• Artificial intelligence

• Advanced analytics

• Process automation

• Process mining

However, these initiatives frequently:

• Remain siloed within functions

• Lack mature process foundations

• Are not supported by change management

The outcome is familiar:
technology exists, data exists—but end-to-end performance does not improve.

The Core Message 

Process improvement is no longer about better documentation.

It is a management capability that integrates
strategy, data, technology, and human behavior.

Organizations seeking sustainable performance in 2026 must take a holistic approach—aligning:

• process architecture,

• meaningful KPIs,

• data-driven decision-making,

• digital integration,

• and people-centered change management.

Kaynak

#process improvement  #performance management #KPI #continuousimprovement #business process management #operational excellence #digital transformation #artificial intelligence #data-driven decision making