CSO Strategy 2026: 6 Priorities for Continuous Strategy, AI, and Alignment

Summary:
In this post, we break down six critical priorities for Chief Strategy Officers (CSOs) in 2026 based on Deloitte’s Global CSO Survey—and how to turn them into action. Topics include continuous strategy, AI governance, benefits management, and C-Suite alignment.

Why This Matters

95% of CSOs expect competitive dynamics and AI disruption to reshape priorities in 2026. The world isn’t slowing down—volatility is the new normal. The Deloitte report makes one thing clear: strategy can’t be a periodic exercise anymore. It must become a living, data-driven discipline. But here’s the kicker: it’s not insight that’s missing. It’s focus. (Full Deloitte report here: 2026 Global CSO Survey)

The 6 Big Takeaways for CSOs in 2026

1. From Uncertainty to Conviction

The days of “wait and see” are over. CSOs need to turn confidence into action—and that means prioritization.
  • Growth remains the top priority, but margin protection and productivity are close behind.
  • 9 out of 10 CSOs say reinvention is essential for competitiveness, and 4 in 10 say the need is urgent.
👉 Learn how to prioritize strategically, not politically: Project Prioritization: How to Choose the Right Projects

2. The Strategy Gap Is Real

More than half of CSOs report juggling too many priorities with too little time. Only 35% co-lead or own strategic decision-making for top priorities.
  • The fix: Fewer, sharper priorities. Clearer decision rights. A system that turns strategy into movement.
👉 Spot the warning signs: 10 Signs of Poor Project Prioritization

3. AI Isn’t a Side Project—It’s the Strategy (and It Starts with the “Unsexy” Stuff)

AI is everywhere in the headlines, but most organizations are still stuck in pilot mode. Here’s the truth: AI without enabling systems is a liability, not an advantage.
  • Guardrails and governance: Protect against bias, misuse, and compliance risks.
  • Clean, well-governed data: AI is only as good as the data you feed it.
  • Smart vendor selection: Don’t chase shiny tools—choose solutions that align with your strategy and scale responsibly.
AI isn’t a toolkit—it’s a strategic lever. But only if you build the infrastructure that turns ambition into execution. 👉 Watch this on-demand session: Strategic Clarity in the AI Era

4. Strategy Needs to Accelerate—And Data Is the Engine

Annual planning is dead. The world moves too fast for strategy to live in a 12-month cycle and a 200-slide deck.
  • Better outcomes: Data-driven prioritization beats horse-trading and politics every time.
  • Faster cycles: Transparent criteria enable quick pivots without the drama of “deck theater.”
  • Enterprise alignment: A shared, data-backed process keeps everyone pulling in the same direction—even when priorities shift.
👉 Learn how to make strategy a living process: Strategic Planning That Actually Works

5. Strategy Without Benefits Management Is Just Hope

Making bold choices is only half the job. The other half? Knowing if those choices are working.
  • Track outcomes, not just activity: Did the initiative deliver the value you expected?
  • Analyze blockers early: Fix issues before they become sunk costs.
  • Feed insights back into prioritization: Continuous strategy only works if you learn as you go.
👉 Read more: From Business Case to Boardroom: Using Benefits to Pick the Right Projects

6. Alignment Is the Multiplier

Only 35% of CSOs co-lead or own strategic decision-making for top priorities. That means most CSOs are trying to drive strategy without the steering wheel.
  • Clear criteria for decision-making: Everyone knows why a choice was made.
  • Data over politics: Keep the conversation focused on value, not personalities.
  • Shared ownership: The C-Suite moves as one, not as competing agendas.
Alignment isn’t a “nice to have.” It’s the multiplier that turns good strategy into enterprise momentum. 👉 Why alignment matters: Strategic Planning Without Execution Is a Race Car With No Engine

What This Means for You

The Deloitte report closes with a powerful idea: strategy can’t be a periodic exercise anymore. It has to be a living discipline. That means:
  • Making fewer, bolder choices—and revisiting them often
  • Moving from informal influence to formal governance
  • Protecting time for the work only strategy can do
And here’s where TransparentChoice comes in: clarity beats complexity every time. When you’ve got too many priorities, too many voices, and too little time, you need a way to cut through the noise. That’s what we do—help you make the right calls, fast, and get everyone aligned behind them. Because in a world of persistent disruption, the winners won’t be the ones who know the most. They’ll be the ones who decide the best.
👉 Ready to turn strategy into action? Let’s talk.

FAQ

Q: What is the biggest challenge for CSOs in 2026?
A: Balancing too many priorities with limited capacity while driving continuous strategy and alignment.
Q: Why is AI governance critical for strategy?
A: Without guardrails, clean data, and smart vendor choices, AI initiatives stall or create risk instead of value.
Q: How can CSOs ensure strategic alignment?
A: Use transparent, data-driven decision-making to build consensus in the C-Suite and eliminate politics.
Q: Why is benefits management essential?
A: It closes the loop between strategy and execution, ensuring initiatives deliver value and enabling course correction.