Leveraging Generative AI for Operational Excellence: A Business Analysis Perspective

Generative AI (genAI) is revolutionising how businesses operate. As businesses strive for operational excellence, leveraging Generative AI can be a game-changer. In the book “Zero to AI”, the authors state that AI is not just about machines, it's about people and how we work together with machines. By embracing genAI, organisations can unlock new levels of operational excellence, drive innovation, and create a competitive advantage.

By automating tasks, fostering innovation, and empowering employees, genAI unlocks a treasure trove of benefits, such as:

? Boost Productivity: Repetitive tasks become automated, freeing up human capital for strategic endeavors.

? Enhanc Accuracy: genAI generates precise data and reports, leading to informed decision-making.

? Save Cost: Automation reduces reliance on human labor, translating into financial gains.

? Spark Innovation: genAI ignites creative problem-solving, driving the development of novel products and services.

? Surge Customer Satisfaction: Personalised experiences through AI-powered chatbots and targeted marketing elevate customer satisfaction.

As York P. Herpers highlights in "Every Company Needs Artificial Intelligence", AI is not a technology, it's a business strategy. By applying Business Analysis, organisations can unlock the full potential of Generative AI, drive operational excellence, and ensure that AI is used to enhance, rather than disrupt, business operations.

However, the implementation of generative AI in business operations comes with its own set of challenges, including data quality, bias, security, and ethics. By using a proven methodology, there is an opportunity navigate these challenges and leverage generative AI for operational excellence.

The Role of? Business Analysis

Business analysis is a set of techniques & tasks that solve problems or take advantage of opportunities. Here are some benefits of leveraging business analysis:

• Deep Business Understanding:?Business analysts will delve into client's operations. This goes beyond basic assessments into uncovering inefficiencies, pinpointing areas ripe for genAI integration, and ensuring alignment with the client's business goals.
• Assessing Readiness: BAs can help clients assess their readiness for generative AI implementation by evaluating their existing data architecture, technology infrastructure, and organisational culture. This assessment can help clients identify gaps and develop a roadmap for successful implementation.
• AI Strategy Formulation Grounded in Business Needs:?Using BA principles, the team will craft a customised roadmap for genAI implementation that seamlessly integrates with the client's existing processes and workflows. This ensures the chosen use cases and applications have a clear and measurable impact on the business.
• Building the Bridge: Business analysts will assess client's needs, resources, and risk tolerance to recommend the most suitable approach. This BA-driven approach ensures the chosen path aligns with the client's specific situation.
• Centralised Expertise with BA Governance: BA team will recommend the establishment of a central AI team to oversee model acquisition, data preparation, and resource allocation. However, they will go a step further by establishing BA governance frameworks to ensure transparency, accountability, and risk mitigation throughout the genAI implementation process.
• Ethical Considerations with BA Impact Assessments:?Business analysts will not only address potential biases and security risks associated with genAI, but will also conduct impact assessments to identify potential ethical concerns surrounding job displacement or misuse of the technology. This BA-led approach ensures responsible implementation that considers both human and technological well-being.

Guiding Clients Through Implementation with BA Expertise

• Pilot Project Power with BA Evaluation:?Advocate for initiating small-scale genAI projects to demonstrate value and gather crucial data before wider deployment. Business analysts will then evaluate the pilot's effectiveness and recommend adjustments for a successful large-scale rollout.
• Data, the Essential Fuel with BA Data Governance:?Emphasise the importance of data quality and structure for optimal genAI performance. Business analysts will not only champion data augmentation but will also establish data governance frameworks to ensure ongoing data quality and accessibility.
• Unleashing Unstructured Data with BA Techniques:?Highlight the significance of leveraging unstructured data (emails, documents) to unlock genAI's full potential. Business analysts will employ specialised BA techniques to extract valuable insights from unstructured data, further empowering genAI models.

AI is not just about technology, it's about transforming business processes and creating new opportunities. Offering these genAI consulting services bolstered by Business Analysis principles will empower clients to not only to achieve operational excellence and thrive in the age of intelligent automation, but also navigate the complexities of AI implementation with a clear understanding of the business impact.

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Sources:

Demystifying AI for the Enterprise. A Playbook for Business Value and Digital Transformation.

Prashant Natarajan , Bob Rogers , Edward Dixon , Jonas Christensen , Kirk Borne , Leland Wilkinson, Shantha Mohan. 30 December 2021

Every Company Needs Artificial Intelligence

York P. Herpers · 2023

Succeeding with AI: How to Make AI Work for Your Business

by Veljko Krunic | 15 June 2020

Zero to AI: A non-technical, hype-free guide to prospering in the AI era

by Gianluco Mauro, Nicolo Valigi · 2020

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