Use Simulation with Precision
Use Simulation with Precision
We don’t know if this was truly on the minds of attendees at the 2026 Hannover Messe. But Carl von Clausewitz knew it more than a century ago:
“Every unnecessary expenditure of time, every unnecessary detour, is a waste of energy and therefore abhorrent to strategy […] Theory therefore demands the shortest path to the goal and leaves aside endless discussions about going left or right, here or there.”
Clausewitz was writing about war, but also about how decisions are made across time and space. His ideas can be applied to business: in complex environments, they help leaders make clear and focused decisions. It is about strategic thinking, strong leadership, and the ability to adapt—especially when facing an “army” of new technologies.
However, despite all the talk about technology at the event, the most important questions were rarely answered: What is the goal? And what does it cost to achieve it?
Artificial intelligence, digital twins, or frameworks like AAS are all important. But at the core, the goal is simple: to create more profit with data-driven approaches. Moving from one use case to another does not automatically create a business case. Clausewitz would ask: What is the underlying strategy? And where does it lead?
Success in digital transformation is more than vision and technology. It requires a clear understanding of markets, forces, interests, partners, and competitors. The key difference today is that success increasingly depends on how well companies operate within ecosystems.
The event d1g1tal DEPARTURE shows practical ways for companies to move forward in uncertain markets and make better use of ecosystems.
Learn more about resource-efficient digital strategies for business success at the first d1g1tal DEPARTURE Day on May 8, 2026, in Friedrichshafen:
Autor: Dr. Bernhard Valnion
Dr. Bernhard Valnion is the Editor-in-Chief of the Quarterly Review DIGITAL AGENDA at the Institute for Innovation and Market Success (IIME) and also serves as shareholder and publisher at d1g1tal AGENDA UG. Prior to this, he worked for more than 16 years as Editorial Head at Göller Verlag and is recognized for his extensive expertise in digitalization and innovation.
