BARC Survey reveals CPM Trends: Companies Focus on Data Foundation, Integration and Self-Service in 2026
Data quality, integration and business department autonomy are shaping the future of Corporate Performance Management (CPM). The new CPM Trend Monitor 2026, a joint global study by BARC and BPM Partners, highlights these developments. It is based on insights from 989 business and IT professionals across various regions and industries, examining the most important trends in business planning, financial consolidation and analytics.
“Despite the hype around artificial intelligence (AI), the focus remains on the fundamentals,” says Dr. Christian Fuchs, Senior Analyst and Head of Data & Analytics Research at BARC. “Companies understand that without clean data foundations, integrated processes and user-friendly tools, sustainable transformation is not possible.”
Top Trends 2026:
- Data management remains the key success factor for sound decision-making and as a foundation for AI applications.
- Self-service CPM and the independence of business departments from IT teams continue to gain importance.
- Integrated financial and operational planning, as well as unified platforms for CPM, analytics and financial consolidation, drive transparency and agility.
- Simulations and scenario planning are becoming essential to manage uncertainty and strengthen resilience.
While AI and generative AI are seen as highly relevant for the future, they are still considered a secondary priority for most organizations today. “Their value will increase as data quality, skills and governance catch up,” Fuchs explains.
Regional differences are also evident: Europe places greater emphasis on ESG reporting and scenario planning, whereas North America prioritizes cloud solutions and risk management. Leaders distinguish themselves through consistent integration, cloud adoption and a strong sustainability focus.
Author Dr. Christian Fuchs views CPM as a central management discipline in an increasingly volatile world. “Organizations that integrate data, processes and people can make faster, more confident decisions – gaining a clear competitive advantage,” Fuchs emphasizes.
The CPM Trend Monitor 2026 combines results from the BARC Planning Survey, the BARC Financial Consolidation & Group Accounting Survey, and the BPM Pulse Survey, offering the most comprehensive global perspective on the CPM market to date. The survey is available for download free of charge with the support of Vena and Prophix.
