Similar to how a rowing team synchronizes its strokes to move swiftly across the water, organizations must align their strategy, execution, and performance management practices to stay on course. The 2025 State of Strategy Management Report captures this dynamic, offering an in-depth view of how strategy and performance management practices are unfolding across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) regions.

This year, the majority of participants came from Saudi Arabia (91%), followed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Egypt (3% each), with smaller representation from Jordan, Qatar, and other MENA countries. Public and social services formed the largest industry group (36%), followed by professional services (21%) and industrial sectors (15%). Respondents were almost evenly split between public (50%) and private (43%) institutions, with not-for-profit organizations making up 7% of the respondent pool. This balanced representation ensures that the findings can be generalized and reflect both government priorities and private-sector dynamics.

What’s new in the report

This fourth edition of the State of Strategy Management Practice Report uses a more refined approach than in previous editions. More than just documenting the current state of strategic practice, the report also seeks to drive meaningful improvement. As Daniela Vuta, Chief Operating Officer at The KPI Institute, explains, “Our vision is to create a collaborative resource that equips the leaders and practitioners on the front lines of business excellence with the insights necessary to turn strategic intent into operational reality.”

Vuta emphasized that the report’s impact is twofold: first, to deliver a data-driven perspective that pinpoints the planning-execution gap, replacing assumptions with clarity on challenges such as weak cross-functional coordination.

Unlike earlier editions that relied on a single, comprehensive questionnaire requiring all participants to answer every topic, the 2025 study employed subject-specific surveys: strategy planning, strategy measurement, and strategy execution. This shift enabled deeper insights, reduced respondent fatigue, and encouraged broader participation.

Another key enhancement was the release of an Arabic version of the survey. To ensure both accuracy and cultural relevance, a rigorous translation protocol was followed, which included stages of professional translation, back-translation, and evaluation by bilingual experts familiar with regional business terminology.

Bridging evidence and experience

Through the State of Strategy Management – 2025 MENA Report, The KPI Institute aims to inspire organizations to break free from strategic inertia by adopting proven best practices and turning research data into a solid foundation for informed decision-making and agile improvement initiatives.

Beyond quantitative findings, this year’s report integrated semi-structured interviews with strategy and performance management professionals across various industries in the MENA region. Each interview, lasting between 30 and 45 minutes, offered participants the opportunity to share practical experiences, challenges, and success stories. These qualitative insights enrich the survey findings and provide a holistic view by adding real-world perspectives and contextual examples.

According to Vuta, “The Voices from the Field section complements the quantitative data, providing practical context and real-world examples that enrich the analysis. This approach, combined with a reduced margin of error (between 5% and 6%), ensures the report offers a superior standard of precision for strategy practices across the MENA region.” 

The 2025 edition also introduces several new features designed to guide readers through the material. These include a one-page roadmap outlining the report’s structure, a high-level overview of the most significant findings, and a concluding section that consolidates insights and highlights the evolving direction of strategy management practices in the MENA region. Beyond presenting data, the report places strong emphasis on practical application. Each section contains recommendations from strategy and performance management experts and offers actionable steps organizations can take to strengthen their strategy management efforts.

By combining data-driven results with expert commentary and firsthand accounts, the State of Strategy Management Practice – 2025 MENA Region Report delivers a comprehensive view of current trends in the field. It equips leaders with evidence-based findings and actionable guidance to close gaps, overcome challenges, and drive smarter decisions. To access detailed results and practical recommendations for advancing your strategic journey, download the full report via the TKI Marketplace.

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From The KPI Institute

This report is more than a collection of data; it is a strategic resource that redefines excellence. While the focus is on the MENA region, the challenges identified—the execution gap, the need for alignment, and the difficulty in shifting from instinct to data-driven decisions—are universal. What MENA organizations are learning and implementing in their active effort to reinvent themselves serves as a powerful observation window and a set of applicable lessons on a global scale. 

We urge you to use this study not only to benchmark your performance but also to challenge your own assumptions. Our role at The KPI Institute is to empower the world to achieve performance excellence, and this report is the tool that will help you navigate strategic complexity, turning your vision into lasting impact and measurable results. True performance excellence requires a holistic, agile, and well-executed strategy; this report shows the way.

Daniela Vuta

Chief Operating Officer

Secure your spot today and take the first step toward turning your strategic vision into meaningful impact. Register now HERE.

A clear vision provides the foundation for growth, offering direction and purpose to an organization. Yet, many strategies fail not because the vision is weak, but because execution falls short. Turning big ideas into tangible outcomes requires more than ambition—it demands structure, alignment, and commitment across teams. The real measure of success lies in bridging the gap between what is envisioned and what is achieved.

In light of this, The KPI Institute is hosting the upcoming webinar, “Turning Strategic Vision into Action,” on September 23 at 11:00 AM Gulf Standard Time (GST). The session will run for 45 minutes of presentation, followed by a 15-minute question and answer (Q&A) to address participants’ specific questions. Anchored in insights from the upcoming edition of the State of Strategy Management Practice – MENA Region Report, which carries the same title, this webinar offers an opportunity to connect research with practice.

About the State of Strategy Management Practice Report

The State of Strategy Management Practice MENA Region Report offers an in-depth look at the latest trends, challenges, and emerging practices shaping the field of strategy management today. More than a data-driven study, it serves as a practical resource and catalyst for change, providing valuable insights that organizations can use to strengthen their strategic capabilities. For professionals, the report functions as a benchmarking tool that can help them evaluate current practices, identify gaps, and adopt more effective approaches to address real-world challenges. Follow The KPI Institute on LinkedIn to be the first to know when the report is released and to get your copy.

Why You Should Attend

This webinar is designed to equip professionals with the insights needed to make strategy execution a strength within their organizations. Participants will discover how to close the gap between strategy and operations, ensuring that high-level goals are effectively translated into action. The session will also explore practical methods to turn objectives into concrete roadmaps, align stakeholders to build stronger collaboration, and empower teams to take ownership of results. Moreover, it will provide solutions to common barriers that often stand in the way of successful execution.

Meet the Facilitators

The session will be led by Cristina Mihăiloaie and Teodora Gorski, who bring over 25 years of combined experience in strategy and performance management across multiple industries and regions.

Cristina Mihăiloaie is the Technical Director of Systaems, the consultancy division of The KPI Institute, with more than 13 years of expertise in strategy and performance management. Over the last decade, she has been actively engaged in research, training, and advisory work, guiding organizations in leveraging KPIs to accelerate growth and build stronger management systems. Advocating for impactful strategy planning and performance management, Cristina has supported organizations across North America, Europe, and the GCC in tailoring and applying best practices to their local contexts.

Teodora Gorski is a Strategy and Performance Management expert with more than 12 years of international experience spanning consulting, advisory, and executive education. In her role as Managing Director MENA at The KPI Institute, she oversees regional operations and supports organizations in enhancing their strategy and performance practices. She also leads Strategic Partnerships & Growth at the Global Performance Audit Unit, where she drives initiatives that foster performance maturity across government, corporate, and academic sectors.

Strategy management is not a one-time effort—it’s a continuous process of planning, alignment, execution, and adaptation. To stay ahead, organizations must constantly reassess their strategic direction, fine-tune their processes, and embrace innovation. As priorities shift and industries transform, the ability to manage strategy effectively becomes a defining factor for long-term success.

In the State of Strategy Management Practice—2024 MENA Region report, effective strategy planning requires balancing formal and informal approaches. It also reveals that successful organizations leverage data, artificial intelligence (AI), and tools to address evolving challenges. As organizations in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region navigate digital transformation and globalization, they face growing pressure to enhance agility, align key performance indicators (KPIs) with goals, and integrate sustainability and risk into their strategic efforts.

To better understand how organizations adapt and evolve their strategy management practices and to take an in-depth look at the MENA region, highlighting previous advancements, challenges, and areas for improvement across multiple industries, The KPI Institute is conducting its State of Strategy Management Practice survey for the fourth year. This research initiative explores trends and tracks progress in key areas such as strategic planning, execution, performance measurement, and organizational agility.

Built on your trust and valuable insights, the State of Strategy Management Practice report has evolved into a trusted and influential publication, widely referenced by strategy professionals and experts across various sectors. This year, The KPI Institute invites you to contribute to the 2025 edition of the report. The KPI Institute is reaching out to the professionals who drive strategy efforts daily in the MENA region. 

As a token of appreciation, all participants who complete the survey will receive the following exclusive products from our comprehensive library:

• Top 25 Sustainability KPIs 2024 Edition (digital copy)
• State of Strategy Management Practice 2024 MENA Region Report (digital copy)
• Navigating the Landscape of Strategy Planning and Execution in the Era of Transformation – Webinar Q&A Brochure (digital copy)

Join The KPI Institute and contribute to the creation of another valuable resource for the global strategy management community. Take the survey now—click HERE! The survey is open until April 30, 2025.

For any inquiries about the survey or the report, please contact Agyar Hardjasudjana, a Business Research Analyst at The KPI Institute, via email: agyar.hardjasudjana@kpiinstitute.com

With two decades of experience in advancing strategy and performance management, The KPI Institute remains dedicated to providing comprehensive performance solutions through meticulous research, educational programs, and advisory services. A strong testament to this commitment was the launch of the State of Strategy Management Practice Report in 2022, marking an important milestone in The KPI Institute’s journey as a research institute.

The State of Strategy Management Practice Report is an annual publication that compiles a thorough analysis of current trends, challenges, and innovations in strategy management. It consists of three main sections: Strategy Planning, Strategy Measurement, and Strategy Execution. Each section includes segments such as general practices, strategy review, key performance indicators (KPI) deployment practices, strategy execution challenges, and project management practices. It also delivers guidance on best practices to refine strategy management and support organizations in adeptly handling emerging trends and disruptions.

The State of Strategy Management Practice Report aids organizations in adapting to a dynamic business environment. This report enables them to gain a comprehensive view of the field, recognize emerging trends and shifts, and refine their strategies for ongoing enhancement. To provide you with an overview, let’s explore a bit the findings from the previous edition of the State of Strategy Management Practice Report and the new features of the upcoming edition.

Insights from the previous report

Last year, The KPI Institute released three versions of the State of Strategy Management Practice Report: Global Report and Middle East Report in Arabic and English. In the State of Strategy Management Practice – 2023 Middle East Report, results revealed that most surveyed professionals view strategy formulation as systematic and organized, with 47% employing specialized methodologies. Conversely, 38% reported using no particular methodology, suggesting a more flexible approach. Additionally, 15% indicated that their process is informal, which is noteworthy. While such an approach can offer flexibility, it is essential to acknowledge the potential risks and challenges of lacking a defined framework.

Moreover, in the Strategy Measurement section, 22% of respondents indicated that their organizations do not have a formal performance management system (PMS). The lack of a PMS presents various challenges. It hinders strategy execution and restricts the organization’s capacity to adapt to changes and seize opportunities. This issue is further reflected in the Strategy Execution section, where 57% of professionals admitted being aware of instances where their organization’s strategy had failed.

What’s new in the 2024 edition?

Considering the concerns identified in the previous State of Strategy Management Practice Report, it is essential to recognize that strategy management practices must evolve to meet organizational needs and adapt to the external environment. To assess whether improvements have been made and if organizations in the Middle East have advanced their strategy management practices, The KPI Institute conducted another study this year. With an expanded focus on the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), the findings will be presented in the State of Strategy Management Practices – 2024 MENA Region Report. 

The report includes data from more than 90 organizations and insights from leaders of leading companies. In addition to the three main sections and areas of interest, this edition has been further refined with a new feature called “Voices from the Field.” Aside from The KPI Institute group of experts, a consultant from a management consulting company was invited to share insights in the recommendation section of the State of Strategy Management Practice – 2024 MENA Region Report.

To know more about the report and its new key features, sign up now for our newsletter and follow us on LinkedIn where we post updates and unveil everything about the report up until the official launch on the 15th of October.