Diagnosing the Real Problem: How Do You Know What’s Actually Limiting Planning Performance?

When planning performance deteriorates, how do you know whether the root cause is process, data, tools, capability, structure — or something else entirely?

Jun 17, 2026 11:00

—

12:00

BST

Online (MS Teams)

For senior supply chain leaders only

How this meeting works

Practitioner-led working session
No pitches
Small-group, facilitated discussion
Works best when you can engage actively
Chatham House Rule
Limited places to preserve quality

Suggested Discussion Points

How to distinguish between process, data, tools, capability and structural root causes when symptoms overlap
Why the most visible performance gap is rarely the most important one to address first
What a rigorous diagnostic process looks like in practice, and how to conduct one without triggering premature solution conversations
How to build internal alignment around a diagnosis before any investment option enters the room
Where diagnostics have changed the direction of an investment programme that was already in motion

Why this session exists

When planning performance deteriorates under sustained pressure, the instinct is often to reach for a solution before the problem is fully understood. Investment follows a correct observation about the wrong constraint, and the programme underdelivers.

This session creates space to examine how practitioners are approaching root cause diagnosis in practice: how to distinguish process, data, tools, capability and structural causes when symptoms overlap, and how to build alignment around a diagnosis before solutions enter the room.

What you'll leave with

Greater confidence in whether you have correctly identified the root cause of current planning performance constraints
A practical framework for conducting a diagnostic without triggering premature solution conversations
Peer examples of where diagnostics changed the direction of a programme already in motion

Who this meeting is for

This meeting is designed for people working through real operational and innovation decisions, rather than those seeking presentations or general inspiration.

Who for

Supply chain and planning leaders experiencing sustained performance pressure
Leaders who suspect the root cause of underperformance may not be what the organisation currently believes it to be
Transformation leaders about to build an investment case who want to stress-test the diagnosis first

Who not for

Teams primarily looking for technology demonstrations or vendor comparisons
Anyone seeking a passive, webinar-style session rather than a peer discussion

How the online session works

Each session is designed as an online equivalent of a small, in-room roundtable discussion — not a passive, webinar-style presentation.

The format adapts to the topic and the experience in the room:

Where participants already have strong knowledge, we typically start by inviting individuals to expand on specific points they have shared in advance. This helps surface real-world context quickly and anchors the discussion in practical experience.
Where the topic is less familiar or more specialised, we may begin with a short explainer to establish a shared baseline before opening up the discussion.

To support productive dialogue, we often invite a subject-matter expert to join the session. This may be someone from a vendor, consultancy, or independent background — sometimes from within the community, sometimes external.

Their role is not to pitch or present a solution. Instead, they listen carefully to the discussion and reflect back:

how similar challenges have been approached in comparable organisations
what has worked (and what hasn’t) in practice
concrete examples that help translate discussion into action

This balance is deliberate. Without it, sessions can drift into abstract debate or problem-sharing. With it, discussions stay grounded and participants leave with tangible ideas they can apply in their own context.

The emphasis throughout is on shared learning, practical insight, and forward progress, rather than polished presentations or predetermined answers.

What happens next

Participation is confirmed through a short, staged process designed to ensure a good fit and a productive discussion for everyone in the room.

Step 1: Register interest

You start by entering your details. This helps us understand your background and what you are hoping to get from the session.

Step 2: We sense-check fit and composition

We may follow up to clarify a few details. This is about making sure the discussion works for everyone in the room.

Step 3: You receive a personal invitation

Once confirmed, you will receive a personal invitation with the session agenda, who else will be joining, and clear joining instructions.

Online Discussion