In 2025, finance and operations leaders in Asia face a crucial decision regarding their budgeting and planning processes. According to a recent study by Information Services Group (ISG), only one in four finance, planning, and analysis (FP&A) teams will adopt integrated business planning (IBP) by 2027.
This statistic highlights a significant opportunity for those who embrace this approach, which streamlines planning, budgeting, and reporting through advanced technology.
Integrated business planning offers a collaborative, rapid process that combines operational and financial planning into a unified platform. “Transforming a finance department into a strategic asset relies on technology that enhances visibility and decision-making,” states Robert Kugel, executive director of ISG Software Research. By focusing on future opportunities rather than historical data, IBP enables organisations to provide actionable insights that optimise performance across all departments.
Despite its advantages, many enterprises still rely on desktop spreadsheets for budgeting. These tools often lead to errors and can become overly complex and inflexible. Kugel notes that “addressing these issues is time-consuming, which limits organisational agility.” This is a critical concern for COOs aiming to maintain responsiveness in a rapidly changing market.
The evolution of technology has led to improved data management capabilities, automating the extraction, transformation, and loading of data from various sources, including ERP and customer relationship management systems. This automation significantly reduces the time finance teams spend on data preparation, allowing them to focus on strategic analysis. ISG's research shows that two-thirds of analysts currently waste too much time on manual data tasks, but automation can streamline this process.
As the landscape of business planning continues to evolve, COOs and CFOs must consider the benefits of adopting integrated business planning solutions. By leveraging advanced technology to enhance collaboration and data accuracy, organisations can position themselves for success in an increasingly competitive environment. Embracing IBP not only improves operational efficiency but also empowers finance teams to become strategic partners in driving business growth.
