I wouldn't agree that statement matches the KC-46 programme at all. On the contrary, it was exactly because it appeared as a simple modifications of a mature product that led to Boeing taking their eye of the ball.
From what I have read here previously, and I think KenV will agree, Boeing put their best management and engineers on other programmes which had problems and larger orders such as the 787 and P-8, and those assigned to the KC-46 were very much the B team. The problems which then occurred, such as not designing the wiring looms to DoD specifications etc, were down to engineering screw-ups and lack of management oversight - not a struggle to implement new technology.
They are sorting - but it's the Boeing shareholders who are feeling the pain.