How to Marry Process Management and AI for Enhanced Business Performance
In an era where efficiency and innovation drive business success, the marriage of process management and artificial intelligence (AI) emerges as a pivotal strategy. The recent Harvard Business Review article, “How to Marry Process Management and AI,” penned by Thomas H. Davenport and Thomas C. Redman in the January-March 2025 issue, delves into this integration, revealing a roadmap for businesses ready to harness the dual power of streamlined processes and cutting-edge AI.
Reviving Process Management with AI
Process management, once a cornerstone of operational strategy in the 1990s, faced a decline as companies grappled with the complexities and limited returns of early reengineering efforts. However, as Davenport and Redman articulate, we are witnessing a renaissance in process management, rejuvenated by AI’s transformative capabilities. AI doesn’t just automate tasks; it enhances the very fabric of process management, allowing for scalability and precision that were previously unattainable.
The Challenges of Yesterday, The Solutions of Today
The article highlights past challenges with process management, including the infamous productivity paradox where technology’s rapid proliferation didn’t correspond with expected gains in productivity. The authors argue that AI’s advent offers a new opportunity to overcome these historical hurdles. Unlike traditional IT investments, AI can analyse and optimise processes on a granular level, delivering real-time insights and proactive management solutions that were once the realm of futurists.
A New Framework for Integration
Davenport and Redman don’t just theorise the benefits; they provide a practical framework for integrating AI within existing business processes. This framework is a seven-step strategy aimed at ensuring the seamless integration of AI into the business fabric:
- Establish Ownership: Identify leaders responsible for overseeing AI integration within processes.
- Identify Process Customers: Define who benefits from optimized processes and how AI enhancements address their needs.
- Map Out Existing Processes: Visualize current workflows to pinpoint potential areas for AI-driven improvements.
- Establish Performance Measures: Set benchmarks to evaluate the success of AI integration.
- Consider Process Enablers: Utilise AI tools that facilitate the automation and enhancement of processes.
- Redesign the Process: Tailor processes to leverage AI capabilities fully.
- Implement and Monitor: Roll out the new processes and continuously monitor their effectiveness, making adjustments as necessary.
Illustrating Success with Real-World Examples
The article isn’t just rich with actionable insights but also provides compelling examples of companies that have successfully married AI with process management. Mars Wrigley’s use of AI to digitise its supply chain and Kinaxis’s role in optimising Mars’s supply and demand balance showcase how AI can significantly enhance operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.
The Path Forward
Davenport and Redman’s article serves as both a blueprint and a call to action for businesses. Integrating AI into process management is not merely an enhancement of the status quo but a fundamental reimagining of how business processes are designed, implemented, and monitored.
As businesses ponder their next steps in operational optimization, the article “How to Marry Process Management and AI” offers a comprehensive guide to making AI an ally in the quest for efficiency and effectiveness. By embracing the strategies outlined, companies can anticipate future challenges and equip themselves to meet them head-on, all while setting new standards for operational excellence.
In conclusion, this article is an indispensable resource for businesses ready to elevate their process management and harness the power of AI. It paves the way for a future where AI and process management work in concert to drive unprecedented business success.
Reference
Davenport, T.H. and Redman, T.C., 2025. How to marry process management and AI. Harvard Business Review, [online] January–March, pp.53-56. Available at: https://hbr.org/2025/01/how-to-marry-process-management-and-ai [Accessed 20 January 2025].
