Research
APQC’s research team applies proven research methods to develop solutions, strategies, and tools to solve your real business problems. Working alone and in partnership with member organizations and industry experts, we discover and capture the key processes and enablers behind successful practices. We then disseminate that knowledge to other organizations to help you meet today’s challenges while helping you transform your organization for future success and competitive advantage. Explore the findings and results from our research in our vast Resource Library, and check out our upcoming and past research below.

2024 Priorities Research
APQC is interested in understanding what's ahead for 2024. Tell us some of your most pressing concerns, priorities, and areas of opportunity so we can ensure our research agenda reflects what matters most to you!
Participate by December 4Questions About Our Research?
Contact APQCFinancial Management (FM)
In the fourth quarter of 2022, APQC conducted its annual survey of finance professionals to explore the focus areas, initiatives, and challenges APQC members and customers are addressing now and into 2023.
Previous APQC research has shown that future finance professionals will need skills in the areas of business process management, technology and automation, and advanced analytics. To expound on these findings, APQC conducted research into the talent needs of the future finance function. This research explores the most important skills for future finance professionals to possess and which talent management approaches—recruiting, development, and retention—finance functions are using to prepare. The research helps identify best practices for recruiting, developing, and retaining finance talent to meet evolving business needs.
In partnership with ERM subject matter expert and thought leader Dr. Paul Walker (Schiro/Zurich Chair in Enterprise Risk Management at St. John’s University), APQC launched its Evolving Practices in Enterprise Risk Management study to understand the current practices and tools of enterprise risk management (ERM) at organizations and how these practices are evolving in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. This project gathered both survey as well as interview data and focused on the following scope areas: ERM processes and practices; what organizations do to drive a culture of ERM; ERM tools and technology for understanding, modeling, and reporting risk; and how ERM teams measure their success and demonstrate the value of ERM in their organizations.
Business closures over the past year necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic have resulted in many back-office professionals working remotely, and APQC’s research finds that the virtual work phenomenon is expected to continue, with more and more finance professionals working in hybrid work environments (e.g., part-time in the office, part-time virtual). And as a result, many finance processes, such as closing the books, and the external audit of the financial statements, by necessity were also conducted virtually over the past year, resulting in some unanticipated challenges that had to be dealt with as well as unanticipated benefits. The purpose of this research collection is to convene/curate content to help finance functions conduct their processes better in the more virtual world of the future.
- Virtual External Audits of Financial Statements Quick Poll Survey Report
- Virtual External Audits of Financial Statements Survey Report: Financial Services/Banking vs. All Other Industries
- Virtual External Audits of Financial Statements Survey Report: Small Organization vs. Large Organizations
- Virtual Work Trends in the Finance Function
- How Virtual Work Impacts Finance Function Productivity & Performance
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Becoming an Effective Finance Business Partner
Business stakeholders have always needed a key point of contact within finance to provide answers and guidance. As the importance of data-based decisions has grown and the role of finance in providing inputs for such decisions has evolved, some organizations have formalized the role of the finance business partner. Other organizations seek to weave business partnering responsibilities into existing roles within the finance team. Thus, APQC is conducting new research to understand the current state of finance business partnership from both finance professionals and the business groups they support. The research will explore the nature of such partnerships, the skills and competencies of effective finance business partners, and the barriers to effective partnership. Through this research, APQC aims to develop an actionable and reusable definition of finance business partnering as well as an overview of current-state enablers and challenges in the implementation of finance business partnerships.
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Join the Conversation
Engage with our financial management audience through podcasts, webinars, case studies, and interviews!
Some sample topics include:
* Data management in the finance function
* Evolving technology in the finance processes
* Finance business partnership best practices
* Finance function process excellence
* Best practices in accounts receivable
* Best practices in accounts payable
Human Capital Management (HCM)
These toolkit collections provide guidance, tools, and downloadable templates to help organizations carry-out workforce planning and HR transformation.
This research showcases findings from APQC's Current State of the HR Function Survey. Use the resources in the collection to understand how top performing HR functions handle core aspects of HR, including strategy, structure, staff, processes, technology, and analytics.
Companies are increasing their focus on improving and expanding their DEI efforts across the organization. Using a survey and case studies, this research examined common DEI practices and challenges and identified key requirements for supporting DEI in spirit and practice. Using the research findings, organizations will be able to benchmark their DEI practices and progress against peer and best-in-class organizations.
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Best Practices in Learning & Development
As organizations build digital capabilities and adopt digital business models, their talent needs are changing—skills, roles, structure. This research will explore two aspects of this change: upskilling and reskilling.
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People Analytics
This research will look at where organizations are on the people analytics maturity curve and explore what cutting edge people analytics looks like today. It will generate resources to help organizations assess and improve people analytics capabilities.
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Join the Conversation
Engage with our human capital management audience through podcasts, webinars, case studies, and interviews!
Some sample topics include:
* People challenges
* HR process excellence
* Best practices in upskilling and reskilling employees
* HR as a strategic business partner
* Benchmarking HCM
Knowledge Management (KM)
As a result of content overload, disordered repository structures, and difficult search processes, many organizations are rethinking their approach to content management. Best practices for managing high-value content, formulating content strategies, monitoring execution, and optimizing search and discovery across channels are examined in this study.
APQC’s Knowledge Flow Process is a seven-step cycle describing how knowledge is created, identified, collected, reviewed, shared, accessed, and used within organizations. This collection brings together articles and resources related to the Knowledge Flow Process, including a framework to help you understand and manage knowledge flow and best practices for each of the seven steps.
The content in this collection is derived from APQC's 2023 annual research into knowledge management priorities and challenges. In this research, we provide a "pulse check" on the current state of knowledge management and explore its future.
KM programs are changing quickly, and KM leaders need up-to-date benchmarks to understand those changes and guide their programs in the best possible direction. This research explores how KM programs are currently structured, their investments in people, processes, and technology, and how those investments translate into ROI.
- Eleven Practices of Highly Effective KM Programs
- 2022 KM Program Benchmarks and Metrics: Executive Summary
- Measure the Business Impact of Knowledge Management
- Include Satisfaction Metrics and Success Stories in Your KM Measurement Strategy
- Focus on Your KM Strategy and Business Case, Not Your Budget
- How and Why Centralized KM Programs Perform Better
- 2022 KM Program Benchmarks and Metrics Survey Report
This research focuses on KM’s relationship with internal customer groups and how KM is applied in different parts of the business. APQC looks at which areas of the organization are ideal strategic targets for KM, which require specialized KM support, and how KM should work with each stakeholder group to help it protect and manage its knowledge.
- Positioning KM as a Strategic Business Partner
- Applying Knowledge Management in the Business: Survey Report
- Applying Knowledge Management in the Business: Enterprise KM Programs vs All Others
- Applying Knowledge Management in the Business: Comparing KM Governance Structure
- KM on the Rise
- Unlocking Knowledge Management's Full Potential
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Managing Process Knowledge
To operate effectively, organizations need both business processes and associated knowledge. Process and knowledge management (KM) teams aim to document, standardize, and optimize how work gets done. Still, they often operate in their own “improvement silos” instead of collaborating on an integrated approach. In this research, APQC will look at ways to align process and knowledge management to improve process performance, reduce risks, and increase employee engagement.
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Excellence in Knowledge Management 2023
APQC recognizes eight organizations for their Excellence in Knowledge Management. As part of the research, APQC aims to highlight how successful KM programs use expert communities, embrace innovation, and measure their value. Take advantage of the insights and best practices of the Excellence in KM class of 2023.
To view resources are from the current and previous recognition years, visit the Over the Years: Excellence in KM master collection.
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JOIN THE CONVERSATION
Engage with our knowledge management audience through podcasts, webinars, case studies, and interviews!
Some sample topics include:
- Emerging Technologies for KM
- People of Knowledge Management
- KM Accelerators
- KM Essentials ( Communities of Practice, Knowledge Transfer & Techniques, Knowledge Mapping, Strategic Planning, Developing a KM Roadmap, and Critical Knowledge )
Process and Performance Management (PPM)
In 2023, APQC conducted the “People of Process Management” survey to gain insight on the people who support process management work. This research explores the demographics, skillset, and education of today's process workers. Additionally, the research looks at reporting structures, responsibilities, and career advancement in the process field.
In May 2023, APQC conducted its bi-annual “Best Practices in Process Frameworks” survey to learn how organizations are using process frameworks, the common adoption practices, implementation practices, and the challenges involved.
At its core, change management is the act of proactively managing change and minimizing the resistance to organizational change through a set of structured processes or set of approaches to transition employees, teams, or an entire organization to a desired future state. However, as you may have heard before, change is hard. Organizations continue to struggle with effectively implementing change. This research explores the common practices and effectiveness of key change management components.
- Effective Change Management Practices: Survey Report
- Evaluating Change Management Outcomes: How to Determine the Success of a Change Initiative
- Change Management Toolkit
- Returning to the Office: Lessons in Change from Emerson Manila Shared Services
- Making Change Management Mindful (Part 1) - Leading Change and Preventing Fatigue
In December of 2022, APQC conducted a survey to understand the common challenges and priorities of process and performance management (PPM) practitioners. This study explores trends in process work and the intersection with data and technology for process management professions in the new business environment, and reveals the top five priorities and challenges in process management, organizational performance management, and more.
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End-to-End Processes 2023
An end-to-end process mindset is often necessary to help organizations achieve their goals because strategic goals are rarely functional in nature. They are large-scale issues such as improving organizational agility, becoming customer-centric, or entering a new market. Such goals rely on understanding how the organization creates value and aligns the purpose of its processes.
This project will update the current end-to-end processes in the Resource Library and tell APQC’s story of end-to-end process management.
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2024 Process and Performance Management Priorities and Challenges
APQC will conduct a survey to understand the common challenges and priorities of process and performance management (PPM) practitioners. This study will explore trends in process work and the intersection with data and technology for process management professions in the new business environment, and will reveal the top five priorities and challenges in process management, organizational performance management, and more.
Supply Chain Management (SCM)
Disruption is no longer a one-off event, and extreme volatility is the new global reality. This collection of content is based on joint research from BCG and APQC into the range of resilience capabilities needed across the supply chain to thrive as things change. It is brought to you courtesy of the relationship between APQC and its member BCG.
- If Disruption is the New Normal, Operational Resilience is the New Necessity
- Operational Resilience: The New Necessity
- Operational Resilience in a Time of Chaos
- Manufacturing Flexibility and Transparency: Cross-Industry Report
- Sourcing and Supplier Flexibility and Transparency: Cross-Industry Report
- Engineering and Product Design Flexibility and Transparency: Cross-Industry Report
- Logistics Flexibility and Transparency: Cross-Industry Report
- Adaptive Supply and Demand Planning: Cross-Industry Report
- Supply Chain Resilience: Monitoring, Sensing, and Preparing for Risks
This research draws insights from APQC’s Open Standards Benchmarking in procurement and yields new content and tools for APQC members. The collection includes both cross-industry and industry-specific reports on various practices in procurement.
APQC conducts ongoing research in the logistics area to help organizations assess and compare their logistics performance. This collection of research includes key benchmarks as well as details about the current state of selected logistics practices, including last-mile delivery, digital transformation, data management, and more. In addition to cross-industry analysis, this research also includes industry-specific reports.
- Data Management: Cross-Industry, Logistics Practices Report
- Digital Transformation in Logistics: Cross-Industry, Logistics Practices Report
- Environmental Sustainability: Cross-Industry, Logistics Practices Report
- Intelligent Automation: Cross-Industry, Logistics Practices Report
- Last Mile Delivery: Cross-Industry, Logistics Practices Report
- Workforce Practices in Logistics: Cross-Industry, Logistics Practices Report
- Logistics Key Benchmarks
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2024 Supply Chain Management Priorities and Challenges
In its 2024 Supply Chain Management Priorities and Challenges research, APQC will ask supply chain professionals across numerous industries about their expectations and trends for the year ahead. Some examined topics include operational and process innovation, logistics, procurement, sourcing, and supply chain planning.
Stay tuned to learn more about how well supply chains performed in 2023, changes and trends impacting supply chains, the biggest obstacles to improving supply chains, and focus areas and priorities for supply chains in 2024.
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Measuring Customer Service
In 2023, APQC conducted research, sponsored by Esker Inc., that took a detailed look at the top KPIs organizations employ to measure customer service and order management. With insights from 200 large organizations, APQC developed a whitepaper, which takes a deeper dive into the top ten KPIs you can use to assess your customer service function. The whitepaper includes the identification of the top ten measures and the current state of performance for each measure as well as insights into why each measure is important from three perspectives: the organization, the customer, and the customer service employee.
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Supply Chain Insights
If you have a story to tell about how your organization has overcome common supply chain challenges, implemented new supply chain programs, or built a better mousetrap in supply chain, we (and our audience) would love to hear about it!

Sponsored Research Opportunities
APQC’s sponsored research program is a fee-based opportunity for professional services firms, associations, and technology providers to sponsor and participate in APQC research or data collection opportunities. Promote your brand, develop thought leadership, and access exclusive research through this program.
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