Global Lighthouse Network 2026

Well-defined transformation roadmaps: mobilizing the organization towards a vision To chart a course of innovation and maintain steady progress, the Lighthouse journey always begins with an intentional decision about the destination. How to get there will change, of course. Over the next few years, for example, the proliferation of AI-enabled task agents offered by hyperscalers and enterprise platforms alike is expected to drive commoditization at the application layer. Lighthouses lay out a transformation roadmap that frames the vision and direction for the leadership at an industrial site. They set an aspiration, often so ambitious as to seem unattainable, but then determine interim milestones realistic enough to motivate and compel progress. Lighthouses do not waste time on questions such as “Should we even try this?” or “Which of these hundred vendors do we choose?” Instead, they spend 45% of their solution development time on implementation and adoption – seven months on average – alongside five months for design and prototype build and three months for ideation and resource planning. A clearly articulated vision for all sites enables leadership teams to quickly evaluate potential investments in new technologies or partnerships. Tongwei Solar in Meishan, China has a roadmap that has stood the test of time. The company first drafted it in 2020 during the pandemic, driven by urgency around digital adoption. By focusing on strategic milestones specifically tied to business priorities, Tongwei provided the site with ambitious goals and a structured pathway to achieving them (Figure 30).52 Transformation vision and roadmap at Tongwei Solar FIGURE 30 Strategy Change managementCapabilities 2021Foundations Digitalization 2022Intelligent/smart 2023Cognitive 2024 — Full automation deployment with manual r eporting for ops tracking emos htiw noitamotuA manual operationOne system covering all pr ocessesnoisiV RoadmapOne centre fully intelligent-driven krowten enO connecting the globe duolc enO covering all ends Intelligent decision- makingtnemrewopme latigiD Full pr ocess digitalization — Early-stage digital visualization systems and limited digital tool literacy— Digital efficiency r ealization — Upskilling programmes launched — Digital talent expansion— Enterprise-wide tool adoption — Self-driven digital scenarios — Pain-point r esolution via digitalization— Proactive digital adoption — Surge in data engineers & analytics specialists— Limited digital tool literacy among vendors/suppliers— Enterprise-wide digital KPI modules with closed-loop gover nance— Rapid deployment of cutting-edge solutions on cloud— Expanded partnerships with tech pr oviders and r esear ch institutes— Manufacturing execution system (MES) & business intelligence (BI) adoption for production tracking, quality analytics, r esour ce planning— Full migration to online performance management platforms — Deployment of digital tools for quality , process and production optimization— Frontline-driven digital use case development — Integration of 4IR technologies with industry- specific AI models Source: Global Lighthouse Network. Global Lighthouse Network: Rewiring Operations for Resilience and Impact at Scale 46