Anaplan is a powerful platform for Connected Planning, helping organisations to improve decision-making, accelerate planning cycles, and break down silos between teams.

But technology alone doesn’t guarantee success. Many Anaplan projects fall short because they focus on implementation tasks rather than ensuring the business value and the return on investment that stakeholders expect.

At Profit&, we’ve supported numerous businesses in designing and delivering Connected Planning projects. Based on this experience, here are five proven ways to maximise the value of your Anaplan investment.

1. Align on Business Outcomes from Day One

Start with the ‘why’ before the ‘how’

The most successful Anaplan projects begin with absolute clarity about the business problems they aim to solve. Without this focus, it’s easy to get distracted by features or requests that don’t drive real impact.

From the very start, align leadership, stakeholders, and delivery teams on:

• The specific decisions Anaplan will help you make better and faster.
• The metrics that will define success, such as increased forecast accuracy or reduced planning cycle times.
• How to track and demonstrate RoI.

Consultant Tip

Review your business outcomes at every sprint review. If a request doesn’t support these goals, challenge whether it’s worth including.

2. Secure Strong, Visible Executive Sponsorship

Leadership commitment fuels transformation

Anaplan implementations are rarely confined to one team. They require cross-functional collaboration and cultural change. That’s why visible and active executive sponsorship is critical to success. A strong executive sponsor:

• Champions the project vision and benefits across the organisation.
• Removes barriers and clears roadblocks.
• Ensures the project remains a business priority, not just a technical initiative.

Consultant Tip

Create a small executive steering group to guide the project and maintain alignment with strategic priorities.  Their involvement signals commitment and helps overcome resistance to change.

3. Invest in Your People, Not Just the Platform

People are at the heart of Connected Planning success

Anaplan will only deliver value if the people using it are confident and engaged.  Too often, projects focus on technical build while neglecting user readiness and long-term sustainability.

Key steps include:

1. Identify and Train Super-Users

 Build a foundation for a future Centre of Excellence (CoE) by developing in-house expertise early.

2. Support Change Readiness 

Tailor communications and training to explain why planning is changing, not just how to use Anaplan.

3. Define Ownership 

Assign clear roles and responsibilities for ongoing model management and improvements.

Consultant Tip:

Involve end users from the very first sprint. Their feedback drives better design, builds ownership, and increases adoption post go-live.

5. Take an Agile, Business-Led Approach

Iterate, adapt, and deliver value quickly

Traditional waterfall project methods rarely work for Connected Planning.  An agile, business-led approach helps you stay aligned to goals while delivering value at speed.

Key principles of agile Anaplan delivery

• Use short sprints with clear, tangible deliverables.
• Involve business users continuously in testing and feedback.
• Regularly review priorities and adapt to new insights as the project evolves.
  
  

Consultant Tip:

Don’t rush the define and design phase. Taking time here ensures the foundations are right and prevents problems later.  Read our blog,  Slow Start, Fast Finish — The Secret to Successful IBP Delivery, for more insight.

Start Strong with a Value Workshop

The first step in maximising value is achieving alignment on business outcomes.  The Profit& Value Workshop brings together your leadership and delivery teams to:

• Define and prioritise outcomes that matter most to your organisation.

• Identify the key decisions Anaplan will support.
  

• Build a high-level roadmap for RoI and success tracking.

Set the right foundations for your Anaplan project — and ensure every step delivers measurable impact.  Talk to us to book your  Value Workshop today.