-By Kashika Satyaprakash Shrivastava
As I was reading a post recently, one line stuck with me:
“Instead of taking up a critical program with less visibility, choose one with revenue-generating, high visibility.”
It made me pause and reflect on a few of my past program operation projects. They were absolutely critical to keeping the engine running but had little to no visibility with leadership. Why is that?
In any organization, program operations form the backbone of successful execution. Whether supporting product launches, business transformation, compliance readiness, or partnership initiatives, operations ensure that strategy doesn’t just stay on PowerPoint slides, it gets implemented.
Despite its importance, program operations are often undervalued seen as administrative or behind-the-scenes work. In reality, strong operations are what enable innovation, drive consistency, ensure agility, and create the foundation for scalable success.
And now, with the emergence of Generative AI (GenAI), we’re at an inflection point. GenAI doesn’t replace operations, it elevates them.
The Strategic Role of Program Operations
Program operations are not just about keeping things on track. It’s about:
- Establishing repeatable processes for sustainable growth
- Driving cross-functional alignment
- Ensuring transparency and accountability
- Managing risks, dependencies, and change
Yet program managers often find themselves overwhelmed with manual reporting, repetitive documentation, and coordination overhead. These necessary tasks can limit time for strategic thinking and often lead to low visibility and slower career growth.
Enter GenAI
Generative AI provides a powerful toolkit to automate low-leverage tasks so program teams can focus on driving outcomes and impact.
Here’s how GenAI is practically applied in program operations today:
1. Automating Documentation & Reporting
Program managers use GenAI (ChatGPT, Claude, Microsoft Copilot) to auto-generate project charters, meeting notes, risk logs, and stakeholder summaries from basic inputs like bullet points or call transcripts.
Tools: Notion AI, Microsoft 365 Copilot, Supernormal
2. Real-Time Executive Summaries
AI reads updates from Slack, Jira, Confluence, or email and synthesizes them into concise summaries for executive dashboards.
Tools: Fireflies.ai, Asana AI, Google Workspace Duet
3. Monitoring Project Tasks
With integrations into PM tools (Smartsheet, Monday.com), GenAI monitors task delays and flags downstream impacts or hidden dependencies across programs.
Tools: ClickUp AI, Wrike Work Intelligence™, Smartsheet AI
4. Streamlining Stakeholder Communication
GenAI drafts personalized, audience-specific communications from executive briefs to engineering updates adapting tone and format automatically.
Tools: Jasper, Writer, ChatGPT
5. Resource Allocation & Productivity Analysis
With team and skills data (LinkedIn, HRIS), GenAI can help identify skill gaps, suggest resource reallocation, and analyze team productivity based on workload patterns.
Tools: Custom GPTs, internal AI copilots
6. Managing Salesforce (SFDC) Operations with GenAI
Salesforce is a core system for many programs tracking partners, leads, opportunities, and campaign performance.
- AI can generate dashboards based on natural language input like: “Show pipeline by region for Q2” or “Top partner contributions this quarter.” This reduces dependency on admin teams and accelerates insights.
- GenAI can trigger Slack or email alerts when specific thresholds are reached, allowing proactive action.
- Using CRM data, GenAI can help auto-generate tailored emails for partner enablement, campaign follow-ups, or lifecycle touchpoints scaling 1:1 communication.
Tools: Einstein GPT for Salesforce, Tableau GPT (Salesforce-integrated)
If you’re experimenting with GenAI in your program workflows, I’d love to hear how you’re transforming your role. Let’s build smarter operations, together.