Why Incrementalism Won't Save the World's Supply Chains

Throughout my career leading operations and supply chain organizations at Lexmark, I've learned that change can take many forms. Sometimes it's slow and methodical. Other times, it comes in like a storm and demands an immediate response. But today, I see most clearly that incremental change, the kind we've relied on for decades, is no longer enough.

We've spent years improving legacy supply chain planning systems, tweaking processes, layering on tools, and optimizing what we already had. It made sense for a long time. You didn't want to rip and replace something that mostly worked. You tried to make it better. Smarter. More efficient. But let me be blunt: that era is over.

Why Incrementalism Has Reached Its Limit

The world has changed, and the supply chains we once knew as predictable, stable, and linear have become anything but. Today's environment is defined by volatility: demand swings shaped by viral trends, tariffs and trade wars, supply disruptions from strikes or extreme weather, and unexpected economic turbulence.

Legacy planning systems and processes simply weren't built for this. They assume stability, clean data, and long batch cycles. They offer static plans and single-scenario forecasts. And when they struggle to keep up, we often respond by adding even more complexity: another layer of automation, another integration patch. It rarely helps. In many cases, it only reinforces outdated thinking.

Disruption Demands a Leap Forward

We can't keep trying to build a smarter version of yesterday's systems. The problems we're facing today require a fundamentally different approach. Not more patches. Not better spreadsheets. A leap.

That's precisely what I saw when I encountered ketteQ. This wasn't another plug-in or overlay; it was a rethinking of what supply chain planning could be. ketteQ brings adaptive planning to life, powered by advanced AI and designed for continuous change.

At the heart of this is PolymatiQ™, ketteQ's agentic AI solver engine. It doesn't create a single best-guess forecast; it simulates thousands of scenarios. It adapts. It learns. It surfaces recommendations based on what's actually happening, not what we hoped would happen. It doesn't simplify complexity—it helps us master it.

The Shift from Reactive to Adaptive

This kind of system isn't just fast. It's different.

• Multi-pass, probabilistic planning replaces the old one-and-done approach

• Continuous scenario modeling helps planners test assumptions and pivot instantly

• Real-time integrations across the enterprise, not just sales and operations, to keep everyone aligned

• Configurable workflows let organizations mold planning to their needs, not the other way around

And while ketteQ is natively built on Salesforce, it's not a requirement. The platform integrates seamlessly with any enterprise system, allowing companies to modernize without overhauling everything.

Real Results, Real Fast

This isn't some futuristic promise. Companies like NCR Voyix, Carrier, Trimble Transportation, Coca-Cola and ACG are already seeing impressive results.

They've achieved faster planning cycles, better inventory turns, improved on-time delivery, and more substantial alignment between supply, demand, and revenue. They're reducing costs and capturing more revenue. And they're doing it without waiting years for impact because ketteQ's time-to-value is often measured in months.

Leading Through Disruption

The companies winning right now have something in common: they're not just managing complexity but leaning into it. They've moved beyond incremental tweaks and recognized that standing still is another way to fall behind.

As someone who's spent decades guiding organizations through operational and supply chain transformation, I understand the instinct to play it safe. But what used to be the safe bet, holding onto what you know, has become the riskiest move of all.

The choice now isn't whether to change. It's whether you want to lead that change or get left behind by it.

We are at a turning point. The supply chain leaders who embrace adaptive planning and break free from legacy thinking won't just survive the next disruption—they'll lead through it.

If you're ready to leap, check out the AI Innovation Guide: From Predictive to Generative AI in Supply Chain, with ketteQ's CTO Chris Amet.

Let's stop tweaking. Let's start transforming.