Original Gangsters of Strategy Execution with OnePlan's Joe Larscheid (Episode 3)
- Ben Chamberlain
- Dec 11, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 5
The latest episode in the Original Gangsters of Strategy Execution series just dropped!
In this series on the Strategy eXecution Unlocked podcast, Ben Chamberlain sits down with the true pioneers who've shaped the strategy execution space—industry analysts, authors, founders of management consultancies and software companies, and of course seasoned practitioners.
In episode 3 of our OGs of Strategy Execution series on Strategy eXecution Unlocked podcast, I had the privilege of hosting Joe Larscheid, a true pioneer and serial entrepreneur who has shaped the strategy execution and portfolio management space for over 30 years.
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Joe is the founder of multiple innovative companies in this domain—from early consulting roots at LMR Solutions, to pioneering cloud-based PPM with EPM Live, through leadership at Upland Software post-acquisition, and now as founder, former CEO, and board member of OnePlan, a cutting-edge Strategic Portfolio Management (SPM) platform recognized in reports like Forrester etc. His track record of building and scaling solutions that make strategy execution more accessible, integrated, and agile cements his OG status in the field.
We dive deep into how the discipline has evolved from traditional PPM silos to modern SPM—bridging strategy, architecture, execution tools, and value delivery in a fast-changing world.
Some of the biggest takeaways from our conversation:
The shift from monolithic, on-premise PPM (mid-2000s focus on combining project and portfolio disciplines) to today's SPM, fueled by SaaS proliferation, Agile/hybrid approaches, digital transformation, and the need for iterative quarterly planning in a "never normal" era of pandemics, AI, and rapid disruption.
Persistent fragmentation: strategy often lives in PowerPoint, execution in tools like Jira/Azure DevOps/Monday, architecture in specialized EA platforms—leading to silos, misaligned spend (operational + discretionary), and lost value without true connectivity.
The critical role of executive sponsorship and top-down alignment: successful organizations build enterprise-wide coordination (via a Strategic Execution Office, Transformation Office, or similar) so marketing, IT, operations, and more "row in the same direction" toward shared objectives, rather than pockets pursuing their own agendas.
Why one-size-fits-all execution methodologies fail—hybrid approaches are essential, but they demand a unifying layer to connect best-of-breed tools (via integrations like OneConnect), harmonize disciplines, enable real-time adaptability, and optimize value realization across the full operating fabric (including business architecture and outcomes tracking).
Barriers to enterprise-level adoption: many execs haven't yet felt the pain of suboptimal execution (e.g., competitive disruption, value leakage), or view it as a "cost of doing business" instead of a muscle to build—requiring proven pain points and visionary leadership to drive change.
Looking ahead 3–5 years: SPM/strategy execution is hitting a tipping point to become mainstream for survival and competitiveness (think Blockbuster vs. Netflix). AI will accelerate this by faster connecting fragmented dots, lowering barriers, enabling quicker/cheaper alignment, and shifting focus from hype to practical data-driven value orchestration.
Joe’s core insight hits home: In today’s world, staying competitive means constantly transforming—connecting strategy to execution isn’t optional; it’s how organizations pivot in real time, avoid value hemorrhaging through cracks, and turn high-level plans into sustained results.
If you’re grappling with siloed tools, wondering why strategies stall despite great projects, or seeking to build that enterprise strategy execution muscle in the 2020s, this episode packs practical, visionary wisdom from someone who’s lived the evolution.
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Huge thanks to Joe Larscheid for the open, parallel-career reflections and forward-looking energy. The OGs series is rolling—more trailblazers on the way! 🎙️
The Strategy eXecution Forum (StrategyXF) is an invite-only, no-fee professional community built by and for the practitioners who know firsthand how hard it is to close the persistent gap between strategy and results. We believe it takes a village to master strategy execution — which is why StrategyXF brings together senior leaders from across the enterprise: C-suite executives, Strategy & Operations leaders, Transformation Offices, Finance, HR, IT, PMO, Enterprise Risk, Change Management, Portfolio Management, Business Architecture, and more.
Together, members collaborate on real-world challenges, share battle-tested approaches, and shape the future of how organizations execute with discipline and impact. This isn't a passive network — it's a practitioner-led community where your experience adds real value, and where every discussion is designed to deliver practical ideas you can apply right away. If you're serious about elevating strategy execution as a mission-critical discipline, we invite you to apply to become a member and help us build something the profession has long needed.
