Key insights for leaders –Value compounds through capability layering: Foundational capabilities enable orchestration at scale, and orchestration enables autonomy, so system-level impact comes from building an integrated capability stack rather than adopting isolated point solutions. –Timing of impact matters: A technology’s strategic importance depends on when it contributes along the journey, not only on its immediate or local benefits. –Sequencing outweighs selection: The success of transformation depends less on choosing individual “breakthrough” technologies and more on building capabilities in the right order so that intelligence can scale up reliably and sustainably. –Impact scales through breadth of operations transformed: Impact grows as technologies progress from optimizing single functions to transforming multiple, end to end operations across the enterprise. Reading guide for the following chapters The next three chapters examine the evolution of the 13 operational functions introduced in Figures 3 and 4 across the NOW–NEAR–NEXT horizon through a set of 35+ cross-cutting transformation themes. Each theme represents a transformation pathway within a function, illustrating how operational approaches evolve over time in response to increasing complexity, scale and shifting performance expectations. These transformation pathways are examined at Factory level in Chapter 2, Company level in Chapter 3 and Supply chain level in Chapter 4. To illustrate the potential impact of each theme, key performance indicators (KPIs) are included to indicate how performance may improve as capabilities evolve. KPI impact legend BOX 1 For each theme, key metrics and their expected progression over time are outlined as follows: Indicates increase in the KPI value Indicates decrease in the KPI value Represents magnitude of improvement, regardless of direction – larger Harvey balls indicate greater impact, whether from increasing a metric (e.g. throughput) or reducing it (e.g. downtime). This assessment is qualitative and directional, not a precise or scientific measurement. Intelligent Industrial Operations Outlook 2026 12