A New Operating System for Risk in a World of Interconnected Disruption

Rethinking Risk and Resilience: Supply Chains in the Age of Polycrisis

Recent global events - from pandemic-induced disruptions and geopolitical tensions to climate crises and technological upheavals - have laid bare critical vulnerabilities within supply chains worldwide. Traditional risk management practices, designed for isolated disruptions, are now insufficient. Welcome to the age of the polycrisis, where multiple, interconnected crises amplify each other, creating unprecedented challenges for supply chains.

Why Traditional Approaches Fall Short

Traditional methods often view risk events as linear, isolated, and predictable. They struggle to account for the cascading effects of intertwined disruptions, leaving organisations perpetually in reactive mode. Today’s disruptions flow through complex networks, triggering wide-ranging impacts on physical operations, information systems, financial health, and organisational reputations. A singular event, such as a cyberattack, no longer impacts just IT systems—it disrupts logistics, financial transactions, regulatory compliance, and brand perception simultaneously.

Introducing the signal house Approach

Our work tackles these challenges head-on, using a pioneering polycrisis framework that provides a comprehensive, interconnected view of supply chain risks. We categorise disruptions into stresses, triggers, and crises, each with distinct characteristics and indicators. This approach allows organisations to:

• Clearly map and understand how risks cascade through their operations.
• Identify both vulnerabilities and potential opportunities across their entire risk landscape.
• Prioritise actions using intuitive 2×2 matrices, enabling strategic, proactive decisions rather than reactive firefighting.

Benefits of Adopting the Polycrisis Lens

Organisations adopting this new mindset gain significant advantages:

• Enhanced Visibility: A clear visual representation of interconnected risks, enabling strategic foresight and better preparedness.
• Improved Resilience: Tailored risk mitigation strategies based on accurate assessments of controllability and exposure.
• Strategic Opportunities: Identifying and amplifying positive disruptions, transforming potential threats into competitive advantages.

Our Approach in Action

Through workshops and collaborative sessions, we’ve empowered organisations to shift from siloed reactions to integrated resilience strategies. Our workbooks provide practical tools to guide decision-making, forecast impacts, and communicate effectively with stakeholders.

As interconnected disruptions become the new normal, upgrading your concepts and framing of risk is no longer optional, it’s essential. The question is not if your organisation will face these complex challenges, but how effectively you'll navigate them.

Discover how our polycrisis framework can position your supply chain for strategic resilience and sustained success. Let’s move from crisis response to proactive readiness—together.

Ready to rethink your supply chain resilience strategy?