From Insights to Action: How to Deliver Strategy Execution in 2025

shawncford
May 29
3 min read

In 2025, the execution gap remains one of the most pressing — and expensive — challenges in business and government strategy.

Most strategic plans fail not because they lack insight, but because they lack infrastructure, ownership, and momentum. While digital tools and transformation goals proliferate, delivery discipline lags behind.

At Vibranium Bridge, we work with clients to convert boardroom strategies into operational success. This Insight Brief introduces our four-part execution model, along with practical delivery tactics, KPI frameworks, and lessons from cross-sector engagements in the UK and beyond.

Key Takeaways:

Strategy must be translated into funded, owned, and measured initiatives
Execution infrastructure (e.g., PMO, TO) is non-negotiable
Success depends on middle-layer activation — not just executive alignment
Regional execution conditions vary — especially in governance and risk appetite

The Strategy–Execution Gap

“Strategy is only as good as your ability to deliver it.”

Despite increasing investment in strategic planning, failure rates remain high:

61% of strategies fail to meet their stated objectives (PMI, 2024)
Only 33% of UK mid-market firms track delivery through a PMO (UK Data Service)
Globally, 44% of executives say execution is their top barrier to transformation success (GCG, 2023)

Inaction, drift, or scattered delivery often stem from:

Lack of functional alignment
Unclear ownership or funding
Legacy reporting structures
Overload of disconnected initiatives

The Vibranium Bridge Execution Model

We define successful execution through four core pillars:

Translate Vision into Operational Objectives - Break strategy into initiatives with timelines, owners, and KPIs
Embed Delivery Infrastructure - PMO, TO, and workstream governance are critical to track and steer
Enable the Middle Layer - Execution is owned and driven by programme managers, team leads, and function heads — not just C-level visionaries
Measure, Report & Adapt - Build real-time reporting and escalation loops that drive decisions, not just updates

Why Strategy Execution Fails

Root Cause	What It Looks Like
Disconnected Initiatives	Projects don’t link to strategy themes or KPIs
Underpowered Delivery Teams	Strategy sits in PowerPoint; no dedicated leads or PMO
No Change Narrative	Mid-level teams unaware or unaligned with execution rationale
Rigid Delivery Models	Inflexible plans collapse under operational volatility

How We Support Delivery

At Vibranium Bridge, our consulting services include:

PMO design and mobilisation
Programme rescoping and reprioritisation
KPI and benefits tracking setup
Functional delivery coaching
Risk dashboard design and escalation process setup
Transformation cadence design (weekly/monthly governance)

🌍 Regional Execution Realities: UK vs Global

While the mechanics of execution are universal, contextual delivery dynamics vary widely:

Factor	UK	Global (Select Markets)
Regulatory Oversight	High (e.g., FCA, NHS, ESG mandates)	Highly variable; often less formal but more political
Talent Availability	Mid to low (skill mismatch in PM, digital, ESG)	Mixed — greater variation across sectors
Risk Appetite	Moderate, compliance-first	Often higher, growth-first (e.g., MENA, APAC)
Stakeholder Environment	Fragmented, matrixed governance	Often centralised or informal networks
PMO Maturity	Mid to high (especially public sector)	Mixed; ad hoc or non-existent in some firms
Board Engagement	Formal and cautious	Mixed; founder-led firms often more flexible

Implication: Execution models must be tailored. What works in a UK department-led structure may require simplification or consolidation in international rollouts.

📊 KPI Framework for Strategy Execution

Area	Metric	Target
Alignment	% of initiatives linked to strategic pillar	95%+
Speed	% of milestones delivered on time	>85%
Governance	% of projects with active escalation routes	100%
Change Readiness	Staff awareness score, training uptake	Baseline +15% YoY
Value	Benefits delivered vs projected	>90%

Execution Enablers We Recommend

Tool	Purpose
Delivery Playbooks	To standardise rollout methods across teams
Benefit Realisation Dashboards	To keep outcomes visible and tracked
Weekly Cadence Reviews	Quick issue resolution and scope corrections
Mid-Manager Empowerment Training	To shift execution ownership closer to delivery