“A decision abyss is the chasm that forms between critical supply chain functions… and that's what keeps and prevents organizations from making fast, cross-functional, well-informed data-driven decisions.” – Keith Hartley, CEO and Board Member at LevaData, CEO of The Abyss Group

In today’s hyper-connected supply chains, data is everywhere, but turning it into fast, confident decisions remains elusive. The cost? Slow launches, eroding margins, and “spreadsheet heroics” that mask deeper issues. As the complexity compounds year after year, procurement leaders face a tough choice: keep coping, or tackle what Keith Hartley calls the “decision abyss.”

In this Art of Procurement podcast episode, Keith, CEO of LevaData and author of the new book “Conquering the Decision Abyss”, joins host Philip Ideson to dig into this silent but urgent challenge.

They explore why siloed information and human habits – not just technology – are holding teams back, and what’s truly required to turn fragmented data into bold, coordinated action. Keith also shares real-world stories, quick wins, and a candid take on why C-suites are finally wading into supply chain’s black box.

In this episode, Keith also discusses how to:

Diagnose the symptoms and root causes of the “decision abyss”
Move your team beyond spreadsheet culture to smarter decisions
Embrace modern AI to contextualize and use even messy data
Enable rapid testing for new processes that deliver outcomes

Links:

831: Conquering the Decision Abyss: From Data to Supply Chain Impact W/ Keith Hartley