Cross-Functional Priorities and Challenges 2026 Summary and Insights: Role Comparison

Organizations across industries are entering 2026 with many of the same cross-functional pressures: accelerating digital transformation, expanding use of AI, and growing expectations for seamless, end-to-end execution. To understand how these priorities and challenges vary by role level, APQC analyzed results from its Cross-Functional Priorities and Challenges research through a role group lens. This analysis compares responses across several roles including heads of business, VP/senior executives, directors/senior managers, managers/process owners, specialists/analysts, and consultants to examine how perceptions differ across leadership and operational levels.