Next-Level Production: SelfOrganization as a Driver for Optimization

MODERATION: Verena Venek, Lakeside Labs GmbH

Speaker: Melanie Schranz

This engaging one-hour online session explores how principles of self-organization and swarm intelligence can drive next-level production optimization. Drawing inspiration from natural systems— such as ant colonies and bird flocks—the concept of swarm intelligence demonstrates how decentralized, local decision-making can lead to highly efficient global outcomes. Participants will gain a foundational understanding of swarm intelligence and its relevance to modern production systems. To bring theory into practice, the session features an interactive simulation. Participants will experience firsthand the tensions between local decision-making and global optimization, navigating challenges such as bottlenecks, resource allocation, and coordination efficiency. The session aims to deepen understanding of how self-organizing systems can enhance flexibility, resilience, and performance in next-level production scenarios.