Hannah Walker critiques the just-in-time supply chain model, which prioritizes cost reduction and efficiency at the expense of resilience. This approach has led to vulnerabilities, as seen during the pandemic when global manufacturing disruptions revealed the hidden risks of eliminating inventories and spare capacity.
The implications extend beyond business to public services and national defense, where the focus on immediate demand can undermine long-term preparedness. Walker emphasizes that while optimization is valuable, it must not compromise a system's core purpose of resilience and reliability.