Session 3.4e Update: Adaptability: Defence's Last Sustainable Capability Advantage
Tracks
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| Thursday, November 19, 2026 |
| 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM |
| Sutherland Theatre |
Presentation Outline
Defence organisations are operating in an environment where technology, threats and industrial capability evolve faster than traditional acquisition, planning and governance processes can respond. Competitive advantage is no longer determined solely by possessing superior technology, it increasingly depends on the ability to continuously adapt. This presentation introduces the concept of the Age of Adaptation, where the rate of organisational learning and decision-making becomes the decisive strategic capability. Drawing on observations from defence innovation ecosystems, recent technology disruptions and industrial collaboration programs, it explores why traditional linear approaches to capability development are becoming increasingly difficult to sustain.
The presentation introduces the Adaptive Leadership Loop - Discover, Assess, Engage, Assure and Adapt - as a practical framework for continuously identifying emerging capabilities, evaluating technologies, orchestrating complex industrial ecosystems and maintaining evidence-based governance while adapting to rapidly changing operational environments. Through real-world defence examples, including technology scouting, ecosystem mapping and continuous monitoring of emerging technologies, the presentation demonstrates how leaders can reduce strategic surprise, improve decision quality and accelerate capability development without increasing organisational complexity.
Rather than focusing on a specific technology or product, this session provides Defence leaders, acquisition professionals and industry participants with a practical leadership framework for improving organisational adaptability and strengthening long-term capability advantage in an increasingly contested and rapidly changing world.
Speaker
Mr Kris Poria
CEO
Earlybirds
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Biography
Kris Poria is the CEO and Co-founder of EarlyBirds and Aptioris, Australian technology company helping government and industry accelerate innovation adoption, capability development and adaptive strategy execution. He is also the co-author of The Adaptation Debt, which explores how organisations can respond when the world changes faster than they do. For more than 30 years, Kris has worked across software engineering, technology commercialisation, digital transformation and innovation, supporting organisations in Australia, Europe and the United States. He has led technology ventures, advised senior executives and collaborated with Defence, national security agencies, Fortune 500 companies and research organisations on identifying, assessing and adopting emerging technologies.
Under his leadership, EarlyBirds has become a globally recognised open innovation platform, supporting customers with technology scouting, ecosystem mapping, dual-use innovation and collaboration across complex industrial ecosystems. Aptioris extends this capability by helping organisations continuously align strategy, governance and execution in rapidly changing environments. Kris is a recognised thought leader on organisational adaptability, innovation ecosystems and strategic leadership. His work focuses on helping leaders build organisations that can continuously discover, assess, engage, assure and adapt to maintain long-term capability advantage.
Under his leadership, EarlyBirds has become a globally recognised open innovation platform, supporting customers with technology scouting, ecosystem mapping, dual-use innovation and collaboration across complex industrial ecosystems. Aptioris extends this capability by helping organisations continuously align strategy, governance and execution in rapidly changing environments. Kris is a recognised thought leader on organisational adaptability, innovation ecosystems and strategic leadership. His work focuses on helping leaders build organisations that can continuously discover, assess, engage, assure and adapt to maintain long-term capability advantage.
