1056: The Three Ps: A Data-Driven Approach to Sustainable Growth | Zach Johnson, CFO, Cribl

CFO THOUGHT LEADER

Ask any business manager about the “three Ps in business” and they will likely say People, Process, and Product. However, ask any finance team member at Cribl that question, and you’ll likely hear a different answer: Precision, Predictability, and Performance. These are the three Ps that guide CFO Zach Johnson’s data-driven approach to financial leadership.

Johnson’s career journey provides the context for this unique framework. At Splunk, he witnessed firsthand how a company could grow from roughly $40 million in revenue and 130 employees to more than $1.5 billion and nearly 2,000 employees, he tells us. During this period, Splunk navigated a complex transition from on-premise software to cloud-based solutions, forcing the team to reevaluate pricing, infrastructure, and market strategies. That experience taught Johnson how to deconstruct challenges into measurable components that teams could understand and act upon.

Now, at Cribl, Johnson applies his three Ps to ensure a sustainable, value-driven path forward. “Precision” involves rigorous financial processes—clean audits, timely closes, and granular understanding of key metrics. “Predictability” means setting realistic forecasts, tightening pipeline management, and increasing confidence in decision-making. “Performance” emerges naturally once the first two Ps are in place—improved unit economics, stable revenue growth, and a roadmap toward greater shareholder value, he tells us.

But numbers alone don’t drive results. Johnson emphasizes building strong teams and fostering a learning culture. By ensuring every team member aligns with the broader vision, he creates an environment where the three Ps define not only what finance does, but helps others understand why it matters.