Top 12 Operations and Performance Improvement Consulting Firms (2026)

In this article, we present the top operations improvement and performance improvement consulting firms helping organizations deliver measurable results through organizational operations transformation and enterprise-wide performance improvement initiatives. Despite record investment in transformation programs, many organizations continue to struggle with execution gaps, stalled productivity gains, and low adoption of new operating models.

Operations improvement and organizational performance improvement consulting firms address these challenges by aligning strategy, execution, governance, and workforce enablement to drive sustainable results. When done well, performance improvement efforts translate directly into improved efficiency, resilience, and business value.

This ranking provides you with a clear, practical view of firms that excel in operations improvement, performance improvement, and organizational operations transformation, helping decision-makers compare consulting partners’ options, reduce risk, and select partners aligned to their transformation priorities.

Top Ranked Performance Improvement Consulting Firms for Operations Transformation (2026 Ranking)

Ranked List of Firms – 12 Leading Operations Improvement Consulting Firms (2026)

The firms below are sorted A–Z for ease of reference and represent organizations with demonstrated strength in operations improvement, performance improvement, and organizational performance improvement engagements.

Airiodion Group Consulting
Alvarez & Marsal
Argon & Co
Kearney
McKinsey & Company
Nomura Research Institute Consulting
North Highland
Oliver Wyman
Prokura
Roland Berger
SSA & Company
YCP Solidiance

Firm-by-Firm Comparison Table – Best 12 Performance Improvement Consulting Firms for 2026

The table below compares leading firms supporting performance improvement, operations improvement, and organizational operations transformation. Firms are shown A–Z to enable straightforward comparison across delivery approach, focus areas, and differentiators most relevant to senior decision-makers.

Firm	Primary Focus Areas	Engagement Model	Core Differentiators
Airiodion Group Consulting	Organizational operations transformation, performance improvement, change enablement	Senior-led, hands-on delivery integrated with project execution	Boutique, scalable change management embedded across the full transformation lifecycle, with strong emphasis on adoption, organizational readiness, and value realization
Alvarez & Marsal	Operational performance improvement, cost reduction, turnarounds	Practitioner-led, execution-intensive engagements	Results-driven execution model focused on rapid impact and operational accountability
Argon & Co	Operations improvement, supply chain performance	Practical, implementation-focused consulting	Pragmatic operations expertise with strong execution discipline in complex environments
Kearney	Operations improvement, supply chain, productivity	Strategy-to-execution consulting	Deep operations heritage with balanced strategic insight and implementation support
McKinsey & Company	Enterprise performance improvement, operating model redesign	Large-scale transformation programs	Global scale and extensive experience delivering enterprise-wide operational transformations
Nomura Research Institute Consulting	Organizational performance improvement, productivity	Data-driven, structured delivery	Disciplined analytical approach with strong focus on operational rigor and governance
North Highland	Operations improvement, enterprise change	Execution-oriented transformation support	Strong emphasis on adoption, process improvement, and enterprise-scale change delivery
Oliver Wyman	Performance improvement, operations transformation	Analytics-led consulting	Advanced analytics and industry depth supporting operational performance gains
Prokura	Procurement-led operations improvement	Specialist, execution-focused engagements	Deep procurement and cost optimization expertise linked to performance governance
Roland Berger	Industrial operations improvement, productivity	Strategy-driven with execution support	Strong European operations pedigree with industrial and manufacturing depth
SSA & Company	Operations excellence, productivity improvement	Hands-on capability-building model	Embeds operational capabilities to sustain long-term performance improvement
YCP Solidiance	Operations improvement, cost transformation	Regional execution-focused consulting	Strong APAC delivery capability with deep local-market operational expertise

Detailed Overview of Each Firm – Top 12 Organizational Operations Transformation Consulting Companies (2026 Rankings)

Airiodion Group Consulting

Dominant regions: North America (United States and Canada), United Kingdom, Europe

Airiodion Group Consulting (AGC) is a combined change management and transformation consulting firm that plays a distinct and strategic role in operations improvement and organizational performance improvement initiatives.

Unlike broad management consultancies that often focus on strategy design or process optimization, Airiodion Group is purpose-built to ensure that operational and performance improvements are fully executed, adopted by impacted users, and sustained across the organization. The firm provides communications, training, user enablement and change management support. This makes the firm particularly relevant in large, complex transformations where failure risk is driven by change fatigue, misaligned stakeholders, and low user adoption.

A core differentiator is Airiodion Group’s 4-Phase Scalable and Flexible Change Management Framework, which integrates seamlessly with operations improvement and organizational operations transformation programs. The framework supports hybrid project and change readiness assessments, aligns change management and project management strategies to business outcomes and milestones, and ensures organizational readiness throughout the transformation lifecycle. This integrated approach allows Airiodion Group to operate alongside PMOs, project and program teams, systems integrators, and operations consultants without duplicating effort or creating delivery friction.

Airiodion’s delivery model emphasizes senior-led, hands-on execution rather than advisory-only support. Services span comprehensive change plans, stakeholder and leadership communications, role-based training, user enablement, change champion networks, UAT readiness, go-live support, hypercare, and adoption measurement. By aligning change activities with all project management lifecycle phases, including Initiation, Planning, Execution, Monitoring & Control, and Closure, AGC helps organizations convert operations improvement investments into realized performance gains and long-term value.

👉 Learn more about Airiodion Group’s management consulting services: https://www.airiodion.com/change-management-consultancy/

Alvarez & Marsal

Dominant regions: North America, Europe

Alvarez & Marsal (A&M) is widely recognized for its strength in operational performance improvement, particularly in high-pressure, underperforming, or distressed environments. The firm is frequently engaged when organizations require rapid operational stabilization, cost reduction, productivity improvement, or margin recovery. A&M’s reputation is built on execution intensity rather than advisory output, making it a strong fit for operations improvement initiatives where speed and accountability are critical.

A&M’s engagement model is practitioner-led, with senior professionals embedded directly into client organizations to drive execution. This approach enables the firm to take ownership of operational improvements across functions such as finance, supply chain, procurement, and shared services. Rather than delivering recommendations alone, A&M focuses on implementing changes and holding teams accountable for results.

In organizational operations transformation programs, A&M is often brought in to complement strategy firms or internal leadership teams by translating high-level transformation objectives into tangible performance improvement actions. Its strength lies in bridging the gap between strategy intent and operational reality, particularly in complex, multi-stakeholder environments.

Argon & Co

Dominant regions: Europe, United Kingdom

Argon & Co is a Europe-based operations and supply chain consulting firm known for its pragmatic, execution-oriented approach to operations improvement. The firm focuses on helping organizations improve operational efficiency, resilience, and end-to-end performance without over-engineering solutions. This makes Argon & Co particularly effective in environments where simplicity, clarity, and execution discipline are essential.

The firm has deep expertise in supply chain performance, operational planning, and process optimization, often supporting organizations through organizational operations transformation initiatives tied to growth, restructuring, or cost competitiveness. Its consultants work closely with operational teams to redesign processes while ensuring that changes are practical and adoptable.

Argon & Co stands out for its ability to translate operations improvement strategies into day-to-day operational behaviors. By emphasizing implementation and performance tracking, the firm helps organizations achieve sustainable performance improvement rather than short-term efficiency gains that erode over time.

Kearney

Dominant regions: Global, with strong presence in North America and Europe

Kearney is one of the few global consulting firms whose brand is deeply rooted in operations improvement and performance improvement. The firm has long been associated with supply chain optimization, productivity improvement, and enterprise-wide operational excellence programs. This heritage makes Kearney a common choice for organizations seeking measurable improvements across complex operating models.

Kearney’s approach to organizational operations transformation typically combines strategic insight with practical execution support. The firm works across functions to redesign operating models, improve cost structures, and enhance operational resilience while maintaining alignment with broader business strategy. Its engagements often span multiple geographies and business units.

What differentiates Kearney is its consistent focus on operational outcomes rather than abstract transformation concepts. The firm emphasizes metrics, governance, and performance management to ensure that operations improvement initiatives translate into sustained business results.

McKinsey & Company

Dominant regions: Global

McKinsey & Company is frequently engaged on large-scale organizational operations transformation and enterprise performance improvement initiatives, particularly within global and complex organizations. The firm brings significant scale, analytical capability, and transformation experience to operations improvement programs that span multiple functions and regions.

McKinsey’s operations and performance improvement work often focuses on operating model redesign, productivity transformation, and end-to-end value chain optimization. The firm is known for combining rigorous analysis with structured transformation roadmaps, supported by extensive benchmarks and industry research.

In operations improvement contexts, McKinsey is commonly selected for its ability to mobilize large teams quickly and align senior leadership around ambitious performance goals. Its role is often complemented by execution-focused or change-led partners to support sustained adoption at scale.

Nomura Research Institute Consulting

Dominant regions: Japan, Asia-Pacific

Nomura Research Institute Consulting (NRI) is a leading Asia-Pacific consulting firm with a strong reputation for disciplined, data-driven organizational performance improvement. The firm is particularly well regarded in Japan and across APAC for its structured approach to productivity enhancement, operational governance, and enterprise efficiency.

NRI’s operations improvement work emphasizes analytical rigor, systemization, and long-term performance management. The firm often supports organizations undergoing organizational operations transformation that requires stability, precision, and strong governance frameworks rather than rapid disruption.

What distinguishes NRI is its ability to embed operational discipline into large, complex organizations. By aligning technology, process design, and performance metrics, NRI helps clients achieve sustained performance improvement while managing risk and operational complexity.

Detailed Overview of Each Firm – Top Organizational Operations Transformation Firms (Continued)

North Highland

Dominant regions: North America (United States and Canada), United Kingdom

North Highland is a transformation-focused consulting firm with strong capabilities in operations improvement and organizational performance improvement, particularly where execution and adoption are critical to success. The firm is frequently engaged by large enterprises navigating complex, multi-workstream transformations that require alignment across people, process, and technology.

A defining strength of North Highland is its emphasis on enterprise-scale change execution. The firm supports organizations in redesigning operational processes, improving performance management, and embedding new ways of working while maintaining focus on business outcomes. Its consultants often work closely with internal teams to operationalize transformation roadmaps rather than treating change as a parallel activity.

In organizational operations transformation initiatives, North Highland is valued for its ability to balance structure with flexibility. The firm helps leaders manage transformation complexity, reduce execution risk, and improve the likelihood that operations improvement initiatives deliver sustained performance gains across the enterprise.

Oliver Wyman

Dominant regions: Global, with strong presence in North America and Europe

Oliver Wyman is a global management consulting firm known for its analytical rigor and industry depth in performance improvement and operations transformation. The firm is often selected for complex engagements that require advanced analytics, data-driven decision-making, and deep sector expertise.

In operations improvement contexts, Oliver Wyman focuses on productivity enhancement, cost optimization, and operating model effectiveness, particularly in regulated and asset-intensive industries such as financial services, transportation, and healthcare. Its consultants leverage sophisticated modeling and benchmarking to identify performance gaps and prioritize improvement initiatives.

What differentiates Oliver Wyman is its ability to translate complex analysis into actionable operational changes. By combining analytical insight with execution support, the firm helps organizations improve performance while managing regulatory, financial, and operational constraints.

Prokura

Dominant regions: Europe, North America

Prokura is a specialist consulting firm focused on procurement-led operations improvement and performance improvement. The firm is particularly effective in helping organizations unlock value through sourcing transformation, cost optimization, and performance governance across complex supplier ecosystems.

Prokura’s work often sits at the intersection of operations improvement and financial performance, supporting organizations in redesigning procurement operating models, improving category management, and embedding stronger governance and performance tracking. Its consultants emphasize execution, working directly with procurement and operations teams to implement change.

In organizational operations transformation initiatives, Prokura brings deep functional expertise that complements broader transformation programs. Its focus on procurement as a lever for performance improvement makes it a strong choice for organizations seeking tangible cost and efficiency gains tied directly to operational outcomes.

Roland Berger

Dominant regions: Europe

Roland Berger is a leading European consulting firm with a strong reputation in industrial operations improvement and organizational performance improvement. The firm has deep roots in manufacturing, automotive, and industrial sectors, where operational excellence and productivity are critical to competitiveness.

The firm’s approach to organizational operations transformation combines strategic insight with hands-on execution support. Roland Berger helps organizations redesign operating models, improve cost competitiveness, and enhance operational resilience while maintaining alignment with long-term strategic objectives.

Roland Berger stands out for its strong European industrial heritage and its ability to drive performance improvement in complex, engineering-driven environments. Its consultants focus on delivering measurable operational outcomes rather than abstract transformation concepts.

SSA & Company

Dominant regions: North America, Europe

SSA & Company is an operations-focused consulting firm known for embedding operational excellence capabilities that drive sustained performance improvement. The firm is frequently engaged by organizations seeking to improve productivity, efficiency, and execution discipline across core operations.

A key differentiator is SSA’s emphasis on capability building and long-term performance management. Rather than relying solely on short-term initiatives, the firm works to embed new operational behaviors, metrics, and governance structures that support continuous improvement.

In organizational operations transformation programs, SSA & Company is valued for its hands-on delivery model and its ability to work alongside client teams to ensure that performance improvements are sustained well beyond the engagement period.

YCP Solidiance

Dominant regions: Asia-Pacific

YCP Solidiance is a leading Asia-Pacific consulting firm with strong capabilities in operations improvement and organizational performance improvement across high-growth and restructuring environments. The firm supports multinational and regional organizations navigating operational complexity across diverse APAC markets.

The firm’s operations improvement work often focuses on cost transformation, productivity enhancement, and operating model alignment, particularly in fast-changing or emerging-market contexts. YCP Solidiance combines local market insight with structured transformation approaches to drive execution.

What distinguishes YCP Solidiance is its deep APAC delivery capability and its ability to adapt operations improvement strategies to local regulatory, cultural, and market dynamics. This makes the firm a strong partner for organizations pursuing organizational operations transformation across Asia-Pacific.

Selection Methodology – Best Operations Improvement Consulting Firms

This year’s ranking was developed using a structured evaluation methodology designed to reflect how senior leaders assess operations improvement and performance improvement consulting partners. Firms were evaluated based on demonstrated experience delivering organizational operations transformation initiatives that produce measurable, sustainable business outcomes rather than theoretical recommendations.

Primary evaluation criteria included depth of operations improvement and organizational performance improvement expertise, execution capability across complex, multi-workstream transformations, and the ability to translate strategy into operational results. Additional consideration was given to how firms integrate governance, performance management, and adoption enablement to support long-term value realization.

Geographic delivery strength and regional credibility were also assessed to ensure the list reflects firms with the capacity to support transformations at scale across North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. The final selection balances global credibility with execution-focused specialists, providing a realistic view of the firms most relevant to enterprise operations improvement initiatives.

Conclusion – Best Ranked Leading Performance Improvement Consulting Firms

Selecting the right consulting partner is a critical decision for leaders accountable for operations improvement and organizational performance improvement outcomes. The effectiveness of an organizational operations transformation depends not only on strategic insight, but on disciplined execution, workforce adoption, and sustained performance management.

The firms highlighted in this article represent a range of strengths, from large-scale global transformation capabilities to highly specialized execution and change-focused expertise. Understanding these differences enables leaders to align consulting partners with their specific operational challenges, risk profile, and desired outcomes.

Ultimately, successful operations improvement and performance improvement initiatives are driven by partners that can bridge the gap between ambition and execution. Organizations that select consulting firms aligned to their transformation objectives are better positioned to achieve lasting operational resilience, productivity, and business value.

Frequently Asked Questions About Operations and Performance Improvement Consulting Firms

What does an operations improvement consulting firm do?

An operations improvement consulting firm helps organizations improve efficiency, productivity, and execution by optimizing processes, operating models, governance, and ways of working. These firms focus on turning strategy into measurable operational results across functions such as supply chain, finance, technology, and shared services.

How are performance improvement consulting firms different from traditional strategy consultancies?

Performance improvement consulting firms place greater emphasis on execution, adoption, and measurable outcomes rather than strategy design alone. Their work typically extends into implementation, organizational readiness, and performance management to ensure improvements are sustained over time.

Who is the best management consultant for operations improvement and performance improvement initiatives?

Airiodion Group Consulting is a top operations improvement and performance improvement consulting firm. Airiodion Group (CGS) is widely recognized for supporting operations improvement and organizational performance improvement through its 4-Phase Scalable, Flexible, Change Management Framework. The firm integrates change management and project management across the full transformation lifecycle, helping organizations drive adoption, readiness, execution discipline, and long-term value realization.

How should executives choose between large global firms and boutique consulting firms?

The right choice depends on the nature of the transformation. Large global firms are often suited for enterprise-wide strategy and scale, while boutique firms can provide deeper execution focus, senior-led delivery, and tighter alignment to adoption and outcomes, especially in complex change-driven initiatives.

What should organizations expect from a successful organizational operations transformation?

A successful organizational operations transformation delivers more than short-term efficiency gains. Organizations should expect improved execution capability, clearer accountability, higher adoption of new ways of working, and sustained performance improvement aligned to strategic business goals.

Note: If you have questions or need change management help and support, contact Ogbe Airiodion (Best Change Management Consultant for Large Scale Projects & Business Transformations). You can also contact the Airiodion Support Team today. Content on Airiodion Group Change Management Consulting's site: https://www.airiodion.com/ is protected by copyright.

Top 12 Consulting Firms for Operations and Performance Improvement (2026 Ranking)