Today’s increasingly complex partner environment demands that partner ecosystem and channel marketers lock in their approach to the annual marketing planning process and build a holistic set of metrics and KPIs that accurately reflect partner engagement and effectiveness. Implementing an annual planning process that improves partner engagement, enablement, and core partner program elements, and measuring what matters, puts additional pressure on indirect organizations. This report outlines the importance of the annual planning process for partner ecosystem marketing and the skills, processes, tools, and cultural commitment required to become an insights-driven partner organization.