According to PEX Network annual report, 47 % of respondents said operational excellence and business transformation strategies are mission-critical in helping to drive growth, manage turnaround and deliver strategic objectives within organizations.

Industries are undergoing a seismic transformation, fueled by the rapid adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI). While many organizations have made significant investments in AI, few are realizing the full potential of their efforts. According to Gartner, “Over 40% of agentic AI projects will be canceled by the end of 2027 due to escalating costs, unclear business value, or inadequate risk controls.”

Continuous Improvement (CI) has long been a proven framework for driving operational excellence. Traditionally focused on incremental gains in cost, quality, and delivery, CI initiatives often lose momentum over time due to challenges such as limited leadership engagement, initiative fatigue, and high implementation costs.

A growing number of forward-thinking organizations are bridging this gap by integrating CI and AI in a complementary, “yin and yang” approach. CI provides the structure to identify high-value opportunities and eliminate inefficiencies, while AI delivers the scale and speed to achieve breakthrough results.

Join us as industry leaders explore:

• How CI and AI are evolving as distinct yet complementary strategies for performance improvement, including practical insights on re-thinking CI frameworks to both support and benefit from AI implementation
• Real-world examples where AI has accelerated CI outcomes—and where CI has enabled successful AI adoption and highlighting practical steps for integrating AI and CI into a unified improvement approach
• Change management and workforce alignment, ensuring that AI-enabled CI initiatives are adopted effectively and deliver sustainable, organization-wide value
• What this emerging synergy reveals about the next S-curve of improvement in a technology-enabled business landscape

Cristina Duta

Senior Director Operations & Intelligent Automation
Fortrea

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Phil Samuel

Senior Director AI + Continuous Improvement
Microsoft

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OPEX focuses on harmonizing processes, technologies, and culture and ensuring that organizations can fully leverage digital initiatives. In this session, we will explore the foundational role of operational excellence in driving continuous process improvement across the organization.

Key Discussion Points:

• Laying the groundwork for continuous improvements through a long-term OPEX approach
• Defining processes clearly to unlock the full benefits of automation and digital initiatives
• Measuring outcomes actively to keep driving improvement and organizational adaptability

How AbbVie and BusinessOptix are building visibility, agility, and readiness for AI-driven transformation.

AI is reshaping the way organizations approach operational excellence, but real success depends on what comes first: building the foundation. In this fireside chat, Joy Shelledy, Director, Strategic Change Enablement, AbbVie; Amanda Swearengen, Director II, Strategic Change Enablement, AbbVie and Jeff Alker, Solutions Consultant, BusinessOptix, will explore how life sciences leaders can map and model processes to create end-to-end visibility, test scenarios before committing to automation, and establish ROI long before bots or AI are deployed.

The discussion will highlight AbbVie’s journey, in documenting their end-to-end clinical trial processes leveraging the BusinessOptix platform and how this sets them up for the next wave of innovation. Beyond technology, the speakers will address the human side of transformation, including organizational agility, change management and sustaining impact across the enterprise.

• Why foundational process mapping and simulation are essential before committing to a process improvement
• How to apply a “try before you buy” approach to validate ROI and reduce transformation risk
• The role of organizational agility and change management in sustaining transformation success
• How leaders can set the stage today for long-term impact from AI and digital transformation initiatives 

Joy Shelledy

Director, Strategic Change Enablement
AbbVie

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Amanda Swearengen

Director II, Strategic Change Enablement
AbbVie

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Jeff Alker

Solutions Consultant
BusinessOptix

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In today's data-centric world, making informed decisions is essential for achieving operational excellence. This session will highlight how organizations can harness data analytics and KPIs to enhance their decision-making processes. 

Key Takeaways:

• Discover how organizations are using data analytics and AI-powered tools to extract actionable insights from their operations, leading to more informed and strategic decision-making
• Learn how to define and track Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to evaluate the success of operational excellence initiatives and ensure alignment with organizational goals
• Learn best practices for translating data insights into concrete actions, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, and ultimately driving better performance across all levels of the organization 

In today’s rapidly changing business environment, organizations face complex challenges such as geopolitics, tariffs, and supply chain disruptions. This session will explore how operational excellence enables businesses not just to survive but to thrive in an environment of continuous uncertainty by embedding resilience, agility, and proactive scenario planning into the core of their OPEX strategy.

Key Takeaways:

• Learn how OPEX methodologies enable organizations to quickly adapt to market changes, fostering an agile mindset that prepares for future disruptions
• Understand the critical role of resilience in overcoming challenges, and how OPEX frameworks support the capacity to absorb shocks
• Discover how scenario planning, combined with OPEX, equips businesses to respond proactively to evolving risks and opportunities

Sunny Lu

Head of Management System, Programme Exec: Risk and Control
Rolls-Royce

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