Mastery has been a key focus of Accenture's ongoing high-performance business research program. To date, the program has looked at five areas of functional mastery-information technology, human and organizational development, marketing, finance and performance management, and supply chain management. The following three-part special report showcases Accenture's latest research in this field and explores mastery from three perspectives.
- "State of the Art" (Julie A. Sokol and Robert J. Thomas) explores the concept itself and provides a framework for understanding how high performers differentiate themselves through mastery.
- "A Seat at the Table" (Chris Rutledge and Rosanne Williams) takes a more detailed look at the components that constitute mastery of finance and performance management.
- "Disturbing the System" (Peter Cheese) discusses change management and how mastering this important aspect of human and organizational performance can contribute to high performance.

Editor's Note: The first two articles are much better than the third...