In a recent working paper, researchers report on how to enable practitioners in organizations to use AI more effectively.
Companies often struggle to identify where AI can produce meaningful business gains. Research involving 515 companies found that those exposed to examples of how other organizations redesigned work around AI identified 44% more use cases, completed 12% more tasks, were 18% more likely to acquire paying customers, and generated nearly twice as much revenue. Leaders should map workflows from beginning to end, identify constraints that limit performance, and redesign surrounding processes rather than simply automating individual tasks. Because solving one constraint can create another elsewhere, companies should continually reassess their processes. They should also encourage experimentation and learn from AI applications outside their own organizations.
For Real Performance Gains with AI, Start by Mapping Your Workflows
Systems thinking (and theory of constraints) continues to matter a lot.