Client

The Public Investment Fund (PIF) is Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund and the primary investment engine driving the Kingdom’s economic transformation. Rated A1 by Moody’s and A+ by Fitch, PIF is among the largest and most influential sovereign wealth funds globally and has been recognized as the most valuable brand among its peers.

Its mandate is to enable the creation of new sectors and opportunities that support the diversification of the Saudi economy and contribute to shaping the future of both the national and global economic landscape.

Goal

PIF’s decision to undertake the assessment was driven by the need to evaluate its current performance management practices and identify opportunities for improvement.

The objective was to provide top management with a clear, objective, and independent view of its performance systems—ensuring they align with international best practices and effectively support PIF’s strategic objectives. As a global leader, PIF sought external validation that its performance management approach reflects best-in-class standards.

Story

The GPA Unit conducted a maturity assessment of PIF across three core capabilities: Strategic Planning, Performance Measurement, and Performance Improvement.

The methodology involved a detailed evaluation of more than 300 assessment items aligned with industry best practices, designed to capture the complexity and depth of organizational capabilities within strategy and performance management.

The assessment provided a comprehensive review of PIF’s strategy execution practices across all three pillars. The results confirmed that PIF had achieved Maturity Level V – Optimized, the highest possible level across all assessed capabilities.

This achievement was formally recognized during an award ceremony held in Riyadh on June 6, 2024, hosted by Saad Alkroud, PIF Chief of Staff and Secretary General of the Board of Directors. Following the assessment, PIF’s Head of Strategy and Planning also participated in the GPA Unit’s Performance Excellence Forum & Awards Gala 2025, sharing insights on how maturity assessments contribute to measurable business impact and institutional excellence.

Key Numbers

3 

capabilities assessed: Strategic Planning, Performance Measurement, Performance Improvement

5/5 

maturity level achieved: Optimized — the highest possible

300+ 

assessment items analyzed during the evaluation

Client & Expert Feedback

“This prestigious recognition highlights PIF’s commitment to excellence in the field of strategy, performance measurement, and performance improvement, complementing and reinforcing PIF’s mission to support investment opportunities and drive economic transformation in Saudi Arabia.”
— Adrian Brudan, General Manager, Global Performance Audit Unit

Key Lessons

The highest-performing institutions benchmark themselves first
PIF’s decision to undergo an independent maturity assessment reflects a defining principle of institutional leadership: organizations that lead globally are those that are willing to evaluate themselves against the highest external standards.

Performance excellence is a leadership discipline
At the sovereign wealth fund level, performance management is not a technical function—it is a core leadership capability. Embedding structured, evidence-based assessment practices ensures alignment between strategy, execution, and long-term economic impact.