Strategy Execution Best Practices: Why Plans Often Fall Apart

You’ve seen it before.

The strategy looks solid. The goals make sense. But a few months in, teams are stuck, funding is scattered, and nobody’s sure what to prioritize.

This is where most organizations fail. Not because the vision was wrong. But because execution never had a real shot.

To avoid that, companies are turning to strategy execution best practices that help them focus, adapt, and move faster. They align teams, resources, and delivery around what matters most.

The problem usually starts with how projects are prioritized and how resources are managed. Without clear, consistent methods for planning and review, even great strategies fall apart.

They say no more often

Too many portfolios are bloated with small projects that don’t move the needle.

One Planview customer, Travis Perkins, shut down 26 projects by introducing a gated delivery process. This helped reduce waste, accelerate turnaround time, and focus resources on high-value initiatives

What would happen if you did the same?

They use hard data, then apply business judgment

Most PMOs rely on scoring models. NPV, ROI, margin, ease of implementation.

That’s a good start. But it’s not enough.

A project that looks weak on paper might unlock a new market. Or build a critical future capability. Strategic bets don’t always score well. But they still matter.

The key is to combine both. Use scoring to filter noise. Then bring in leadership to refine decisions.

They plan around capacity, not just budget

Most companies know how much money they have. Very few know how many people they actually need.

If engineering has only 5 percent capacity left, it doesn’t matter if finance approves a new program. It won’t ship on time.

The fix: map real team capacity against the top projects. Then reallocate based on what’s possible, not just what’s funded.

They review often, not once a year

Static plans die quickly. Rolling reviews keep you in control. One tech client we worked with moved from annual planning to monthly portfolio check-ins.

Now they spot delays early. They kill bad ideas faster. And they rebalance priorities as

business needs shift.

You don’t need to plan everything up front. You need to stay flexible and stay aligned.

The takeaway

Strategy execution breaks when resource planning, prioritization, and delivery aren’t connected.

The best companies make tough calls early. They kill more than they fund. They keep the focus narrow. And they give teams room to move.

Are you doing the same?

If not, let’s talk. At Initiativa we’ll show you how to simplify your portfolio and deliver strategy with clarity using Planview solutions.

Let's Talk!