Optimizing Process [AI version]

Very often in my career, and in my day-to-day as an Operations leader, I stop and ask myself "was this too much or just enough process?". I wrote about it a bunch of times: we, process folks, can sometimes over-do it. Now, in the context of artificial intelligence's extremely rapid advancement, things have shifted dramatically regarding productivity. With every Tech (and non-Tech) company rushing to this new frontier, a new world also opens up for Operations.

What about scaling process with AI??

Paraphrasing Scott Galloway in one of his podcasts: with chatGPT, for the first time in the age of the internet, the inputter receives value, instead of generating it for someone else.

Process has had a bad rep of slowing things down, and yet, done well, it is essential to support the rapid scale or throughput. As one of my dearest colleagues brought up to me recently: scale is critical, but how do we stay focused on the value delivered to the individual contributing to that scale? Can AI be used to cancel the initial effort, so as to net-out process' benefits only??

Building mechanisms from scratch, AI-assisted.?

As an Operations leader, part of the job is to establish processes and mechanisms where there is little or nothing. AI can speed up the process-for-process. This observation extends to most computer-based roles that require generating value and creating change. Specifically to Operations: how can AI help? Let's dive in.

• Designing a process. An effective process or mechanism must be rooted in the desired outcome and customer needs. GPT/AI is a huge tool to speed up desk-research, problem framing and process design. However, I have found that the perfect step-by-step that fits your exact needs will require an extensive conversation with chatGPT. Beware: your sanity might be at risk, as well as confidential information.

• Launching the process. IMHO this is where the AI-money is for ops (at least right now): communicating, training, supporting. I have decreased by 50-75% the time I would spend writing communications from scratch, using ChatGPT. There are many tools available: text editors such as WordTune or Notion AI can be used to write engaging messages to inform, promote, remind, and update people. Creating a step-by-step training program or workshop structures. AI bots. And more... Bonus point: chatGPT tends to be much nicer than I am :)?Joke aside, Linkedin is full of tips on how to train chatGPT to be more accurate for what you need.

• Controlling and refining. This part of the cycle is a mini process-design in itself. The same benefits apply.

Participating in Process, AI-assisted.

We can potentially create more efficiencies thanks to AI by looking at the teams / individuals onboarded in said-process: You're busy working (coding, designing, product-managing) when your BizOps asks you to contribute to a new org-wide process. Are there any parts of this that you might be able to get away with using AI??

• Tracking for reporting is already understood when it comes to AI/ML integration. If this is not in your skillset or talent pool, you might benefit from a leg up with your maths.

• Writing OKRs or status updates can be sped up through GPT and other text applications; with a huge caveat about information and confidentiality. However, used with caution chatGPT might be an excellent soundboard to sharpen up your objectives and key results.

• Learning to be better at something that is not your core skills: 100% ChatGPT or search engines like You.com (example and example)

Additionally there are a ton of companies sprouting out to support the Business with applications around vendor tracking, time tracking/efficiencies, goal tracking etc.. Truth is, AI has always been part of technology.?

Conclusion. I am not worried, are you worried? Should we be worried?

Another clever expert explained that computers had taken over the work of doing, and now the thinking. What's left for us, humans? Strategizing my friend. Perhaps spending more time understanding the problem before moving onto solutions - basically crafting a perfect prompt. Because without it, you won't get anything remotely usable.?

More tactically, these are the biggest barriers for me to truly leverage chatGPT and other tools:?

1. Still a learning curve: I may be old, but it's taking me a minute to fully leverage chatGPT and all. And as long as I am a noobie, my productivity isn't fully accelerated. The recommendation is to not snooze! There are so many free resources out there right now.
2. Data security first. Overall, "productivity AI tools" aren't as powerful if not fed with contextual data. Depending on the level of disclosure, I am not getting maximum benefit. (don't eff this up)
3. Information inaccuracy. As my goal is to create best-in-class outcome-driven and customer-focused processes and mechanisms, that are adaptable and "just enough", I must continue to carefully review what the AI spins up. Coz it might not care like a human does, about process.

But hey, ask me again about it tomorrow. As this is the pace we need to run at now.

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Hi, I am Marion. I love everything-operations and I have a tendency to dive deep into a very wide range of topics. I worked in Design orgs, now I work in a Technology org. Follow me for more ramblings about my learnings.