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The Quick Guide to Flawless Operations Management in 2021 (With PowerPoint Templates to Help You Get Started)

It may take you a little under 300 seconds to read an entire 100-point job description of an operations manager in an up-and-coming startup.

Wait! 300 seconds? 100 points? Isn’t that a little overarching, you ask?

Not at all!

In fact, modern-day operations management demands this, and much more. You have everything you can think of. Intellectual and critical thinking capability? Sure. Technical know-how and innovative mindset? Yes. You know what? Throw in some practical skills and a slight sense of humor too!

But you see, operations management is nothing that you can put in a bracket like that. It is the beating heart and nerves of every model of business management . In more standard terms, operations management is the continued practice of planning and reinventing the production and delivery of goods and services at any company or organization.

Besides, operations management ensures that each of these tasks to pursue a company’s endeavors finishes with the highest efficiency without lapses. In other words, it is concerned with things getting done with as optimal use of company resources as possible. For those managing operations, the typical task list involves planning, maintaining, supplying, securing, and building efficient business systems.

Related read: Top 20 Business Operation Templates To Define Your Organizational Structure

Any operations manager is the cornerstone of the executive suite of an enterprise. Advancing the company goals in line with the corporate strategy is what operations management is all about. It also focuses on cross-functional collaboration that brings together a robust business framework. It is this framework that each component of operations management process follows and grows with.

But it’s reality check time!

The year 2021 is upon us, and the world across has had a fair share of turmoil. That also does not excuse the fact that operations management has shifted with the consistent change of demands. The end-to-end supply of goods and services has faced blows after blows as large-scale corporate overturns swept the global economies. The challenges, it seems, will take just a little (read: a lot) while before subsiding to a non-threatening demeanor.

So what’s an operations manager to do in the meanwhile?

Well, they better fasten their seat belts as this quick guide will showcase simple techniques to make operations management a breeze in a world building itself from the ground up. Also in tow are our handy PowerPoint templates that will help you put these techniques to good use instantly. Here we go!

Operations management in 2021: Visual communication tools are key

When the humble old Material Resource Planning (MRP) system was being developed in the 1950s to handle operations, production, and inventory management, its idea was to fulfill three essential tasks.

•         The first was keeping track of the raw material required to manufacture the product.
•         The second was to maintain minimum resources in the inventory for optimal use.
•         And the third was planning the sequence for delivery and purchase.

I am sure you are going, “But hey! I am an operations manager for a company that sells software or digital learning courses. Mine is not a shoe-manufacturing company where I need to do inventory. How do I do things differently according to the needs of my organization?”

You see, with MRP, operations management became a tandem of software working out the scope of the analog. In other words, human intervention is still the driving force behind it. So if one were to put this tandem to productive use, there has to be a link of how operations managers can process, manipulate, and store data that the software handled.

Related read: Top 10 Business Process Model Templates for Improved Operational Efficiency

That is the very basis of why visual communication tools like templates are crucial for operations management in 2021. These templates sustain the daily endless to-do list of an operations manager right from conception to realization to evaluation to evolution. When you approach everything with organized and well-presented data, you reap the best of both worlds.

On the one hand, you get to make well-informed decisions with the help of flexible data formats. On the other, you can incorporate these data formats to guide automated systems for planning resources and activities for flawless operations.

But how to apply visual communication tools to operations management?

We got you covered. And there is no rigorous brainstorming to be done here. The application of visual templates works the best on the lines of 5 V’s of operations management — Volume, Variety, Variation, Visibility, and Value. Once you align these templates to these dimensions, you get to manage operations seamlessly with the most resource-friendly outlook. Here are the techniques to apply them to your business, and some handy PowerPoint templates to get you started.

Technique 1: Lean down the volume

The volume dimension of operations management deals with the amount of a specific product manufactured to meet the demand. It entails managing the scope of output that sustains the production process.

Once the established system achieves the level of throughput as per the demand, an operations manager can increase the production. The larger goal is to manage the system capacity in line with the demand of the end-user and bringing down input costs. But how can one do it better?

Going lean is the answer. With market dynamics witnessing a colossal shift amid the pandemic, the onus is on how adaptive businesses are. Regulated outputs and cross-functional optimization can assist people managing operations with limited resources. Additionally, lean adaptation helps you incorporate minimal waste-producing activities, thereby easing the burden on resources. This also leaves more scope for strategic production and service.

Use these templates: The CXOs and the executive suite have all the right reasons to love lean. It gets things done. And it gets it done in less. Optimal performance rates improve cross-functional collaboration and planning, besides widening the scope of entering new markets.

Related read: Top 15 Lean Transformation Templates for Achieving Operational Excellence

Supported by systems that flourish with the minimum, such kind of operations management brings down the hustle for venture capital. Therefore, to ensure that each project finishes with good performance, those managing operations need to leverage the following fully-editable PowerPoint templates.

↓ For reducing costs

↓ To bolster productivity

↓ For waste-free operations

Technique 2: Plan out the variety

With variety, an operations manager decides how many types of products and associated services the company needs to launch for better revenue. Variety opens new avenues for the company to diversify its production. Alternatively, it also gives organizations a chance to connect with customers on different levels.

Think of it as a company like Apple, which can diversify its production of consumer electronic goods. You get a phone, a tablet, a watch, and a cloud streaming service for all these devices. It won’t be a guess if we say self-driving cars will soon be striking another Apple chord with us soon (the buzz is that they will).

But what’s the catch here for an operations manager?

You see, the pull of newer markets and diversified portfolios may attract everyone in the executive suite. But for an operations manager, going for variety means more stress on the balance with volume. In other words, if there is a way to variegate types of a product, the production volume may take a hit. But since niche building and business portfolio management are the hot topics in 2021, the early bird will get the worm. But how?

Use these templates: The only solution to meet the rising demand for product diversification is to plan it out upfront. Another component that needs your attention is to include process resource requirements and output in your analysis.

The models extracted from that analysis can then further help make prudent decisions about uplifting the revenue streams by offering more to the customers. The following flexible PowerPoint templates provide a complete planning solution for well-informed operations management. Click on the one that suits your needs the best.

↓ For achieving milestones with excellence

↓ To expand your business with panache

↓ For data-driven customer analysis

Technique 3: Experiment with variation

Optimization begets efficiency. But there are several factors that stimulate as well as limit the opportunities of optimization. Therefore, to keep up with these factors, businesses have to pivot the existing policies and procedures. The variation component of operations management deals with how operational efficiency can fluctuate to meet customer demands in exigencies.

Not only that, the variation dimension unlocks avenues of more significant revenue generation and maximization. The operations department has to orchestrate a well-coordinated strategy besides rigorous brainstorming to turn the wheel.

But how can an operations manager ensure flexible scaling in variation?

The answer lies in experimentation. In a disaster-ridden world as we see from the corporate lens, the need to churn out safer and robust protocols has grown starker than ever. But in the chase to formulate the perfect criteria for customer satisfaction, one should not lose sight of resource planning as well.

There has to be a proper control and feedback mechanism in every channel of communication that the company has deployed. Provided that, it would not take much to put your ear to the ground and channel remarkable growth strategies.

Use these templates: Championing variation in a turbulent landscape is no child’s play. But if one goes with multi-faceted approaches to resource planning and distribution, the needle will move to greener pastures.

Using meticulous market research and actionable communication techniques, an operations manager can assess the customer demands and external influence. The following handy PowerPoint templates will help achieve the desired effect in that regard. You can edit these templates with your data and prepare your team for the next brilliant move.  

↓ For controlled distribution of resources

↓ To understand customer needs proactively

↓ For averting any situation of crisis

Technique 4: Digitalize the visibility

Operational visibility deals with how elaborate and evident the working systems are in an organization. Visibility also entails the customer’s direct interaction with the operational process.

Whether e-commerce or manufacturing, operational visibility and implementation have earned their clamor thanks to technology integration. An excellent example of this is e-commerce and online retailing websites that enable a full-fledged GUI-based package tracking software facility for each customer.

But how does one ensure excellent visibility of operations?

The answer lies in agile systems. Agile operations are characterized by iterative functions that deliver value to customers without any pitfalls. The minimization of errors comes from constant testing and quick implementation. Additionally, agile systems are best suited for technological projects focused on customer satisfaction using tech support and information access.

Use these templates: Incorporating agile into traditional systems can be challenging as it is. But suppose someone on the scale of Amazon Inc is trying to overturn their operations to faster modules. In that case, it is best to gauge the available information and then process it to devise agile models.

Related read: Top 10 Agile Framework Templates For Faster Delivery

To reach up to the level of the multi-billion dollar giants, you need to take informed steps on the offset. To choose the best approach to get there, you will need the following PowerPoint templates. Feel free to put your spin on these as they are customizable to the last pixel. Download and deploy!

↓ For keeping the pandemic blues at bay

↓ To jack up your sales with agile methods

↓ For helping your team deliver high-class performance

Technique 5: Evolve with value

The automatic routing of customer emails may not be much of an achievement to boast about. Optimized supply chains can only do so much. Outsourcing can also be a good option for unforeseen times. But when established systems keep running the way they are, the mirage of “all is well” can undoubtedly set in.

The missing piece of the puzzle, though, is monitoring feedback systems and improvement of procedures. Standardized procedures will need further analyses to generate better value for your business. This also necessitates high-power persuasion and collaboration techniques to be put into place.

Thus, the value component of operations management stems from how the system learns collectively from the resources and routines. This brings value in two dimensions — for your company and your customers.

Operations managers need to control the first with appropriate performance assessment measures supplemented with feedback loops. The second comes from constant communication and solicitation of feedback from the customer to guide technology changes.

Use these templates: A vital aspect of the value thought process is the constant use of analytics to reap data mining benefits. Properly-curated information in responsive data models eases the burden of cross-functional collaboration. Coupled with managerial brainstorming, the value prospect can bring up a significant change in financial planning and optimization.

Armed with all that knowledge, you can devise competitive policies and training frameworks for your company and employees. The following predesigned templates will help put things in order. Download and incorporate them for error-free operations.

↓ For consistent feedback and monitoring

↓ To optimize the financial frameworks

↓ For self-learning workflows

Catering to the ever-changing needs of the company and the customer requires a little more than just acumen. Operations management is the most limber of business verticals that need constant planning and reinvention of policies and procedures. Therefore, it makes sense to have visual communication tools to guide your strategies for efficiency. Leveraging technology to process data and then incorporating that data into these templates can perk up your prospects in the face of crisis. The task-list for the pandemic-proof operations manager may even cross 100 points. But flexible templates will always come in handy to turn the corporate frown into a smile.

Related posts:

• How Financial Management Templates Can Make a Money Master Out of You
• What Are Operations Templates and How Can They Benefit Your Business? [Templates Included]
• Top 10 Corporate Business Playbook Templates with Samples and Examples
• Top 5 Manufacturing Process Optimization Templates To Supercharge Efficiency!

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Operations Plan Presentation Template

Need to keep your team on track towards a goal or objective? Use an operations plan to outline your business strategy. An operations plan presentation keeps all of your team members on the same page, ensuring that they understand their roles, responsibilities, and how they fit into the overall project. An operations plan is an essential component to your project’s success.

Use an operations plan to:

• Outline a project’s objectives, strategy, and goals
• Reflect on the project roll-out by team
• Show managers and executives how the project is progressing

Customize your Operations Plan Presentation

Every slide in your operations plan plays an important role in your business strategy. To drive your point home with each slide, you might add Venn diagrams, graphs, charts, sales funnels, and other graphics. You might include slides such as:

Pro Tips for an Operations Plan

When creating an operations plan presentation, there are a few things to keep in mind to make it as concise and impactful as possible.

Bar graphs, timelines, bullet lists, tables: graphics can make your information memorable and easy to digest.

Limit each slide to one idea or topic. When your slides are overcrowded, you’ll overwhelm the viewer.

Your team members will naturally have questions after you bring up certain topics. Leave some room in your presentation for discussion or Q&A.

An operations plan regroups your team so you can all reach a business objective. Be sure to include summaries and next steps for everyone on the project so that no one is left wondering about their role.

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What is a Operations Director?

Learn about the role of Operations Director, what they do on a daily basis, and what it's like to be one.

• What is a Operations Director
• How to Become
• Certifications
• Tools & Software
• LinkedIn Guide
• Interview Questions
• Work-Life Balance
• Professional Goals
• Resume Examples
• Cover Letter Examples

Start Your Operations Director Career with Teal

Definition of a Operations Director

What does a operations director do, key responsibilities of an operations director.

• Developing and implementing business strategies to improve operational efficiency and profitability
• Overseeing the design, planning, and enhancement of systems and processes to meet the goals of the organization
• Managing and optimizing supply chain operations, including procurement, inventory management, and logistics
• Leading and developing a diverse team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence
• Setting comprehensive goals for performance and growth, and evaluating performance by analyzing and interpreting data and metrics
• Ensuring compliance with legal, regulatory, and safety standards across all operational activities
• Collaborating with other senior leaders to make decisions for operational activities and set strategic goals
• Planning and managing operational budgets to promote fiscal responsibility
• Establishing policies that promote company culture and vision, and overseeing their adherence
• Liaising with HR to recruit, train, and guide staff, ensuring they have the necessary resources and support
• Identifying opportunities for new technology or methodologies to enhance operations and maintain a competitive edge
• Building and maintaining relationships with all stakeholders, including suppliers, partners, and customers, to ensure that operations meet their expectations and demands

Day to Day Activities for Operations Director at Different Levels

Daily responsibilities for entry level operations directors.

• Overseeing daily operations across various departments
• Implementing process improvements to enhance efficiency
• Monitoring and reporting on operational performance
• Collaborating with department heads to ensure workflow alignment
• Addressing operational issues and resolving problems as they arise
• Ensuring compliance with company policies and industry regulations

Daily Responsibilities for Mid Level Operations Directors

• Developing and implementing operational policies and strategic plans
• Leading cross-departmental initiatives to drive company-wide improvements
• Managing budgets and forecasting operational needs
• Building relationships with vendors and negotiating contracts
• Conducting in-depth data analysis to inform decision-making
• Identifying opportunities for cost savings and operational enhancements

Daily Responsibilities for Senior Operations Directors

• Setting long-term operational goals and aligning them with business objectives
• Leading major change initiatives and overseeing large-scale projects
• Collaborating with C-suite executives to inform company strategy
• Driving innovation in operational practices to maintain competitive advantage
• Developing talent and succession planning within the operations team
• Representing the company at industry events and contributing to thought leadership

Types of Operations Directors

Manufacturing operations director, service operations director, supply chain operations director, business process operations director, global operations director, digital operations director, what's it like to be a operations director , operations director work environment, operations director working conditions, how hard is it to be an operations director, is an operations director a good career path, faqs about operations directors, how do operations directors collaborate with other teams within a company, what are some common challenges faced by operations directors, what does the typical career progression look like for operations directors.

How To Become a Operations Director in 2024

Related Career Paths

Driving operational efficiency, leading teams to meet business goals and objectives

Driving efficiency and productivity, ensuring smooth business operations and growth

Driving operational efficiency, optimizing business processes for sustainable growth

Optimizing product flow, ensuring efficient delivery from supplier to consumer

Orchestrating efficient production processes, ensuring quality output meets deadlines

Orchestrating efficient supply chains, ensuring seamless product delivery journeys

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What Every New Director of Operations Needs to Be Aware of

Operations are at the heart of the business, so becoming a first-time Director of Operations (DoO) is a project in itself. You’ll lead the strategic cornerstone for the whole organization and – hopefully – the successful culmination of years of company growth. On the one hand, it’s an opportunity to solidify the team’s effectiveness and efficiency. On the other hand, it’s only natural that you will hit some bumps along the way as processes need restructuring, cultural shifts occur, and new business models are established. No matter what area you fall under, if you have a DoO position, there is a lot to learn from others. In fact, those who are new to the Director of Operations role typically start in a less-than-ideal state. So we prepared this guide with critical mistakes, challenges, tips, and recommendations to help you succeed in your new role.

What does a Director of Operations do?

Lacking knowledge about the business, not knowing who the key stakeholders are.

• Failing to understand the processes
• An investigative and inquisitive mind
• An understanding of the entire value chain
• The ability to get in the trenches with the team
• Exceptional communication skills
• Laser focus on eliminating admin work
• One central location for managing project operations

If the organization is in chaos…

If you don’t know where to start....

While the title has taken on a more formal connotation in recent years, the duties of the Director of Operations still vary. One thing is clear, though: Whether they’re called VP of operations, Director of Operations, or COO, these executives have probably been kept awake at night by the same questions:

• How profitable is the business? 
• Are processes carried out as intended? 
• Is the company scaling efficiently and sustainably?

The DoO is not merely responsible for operations, and the laundry list of things they are supposed to oversee crosses between the operational with very tactical items (resources, processes, delivery, etc.) as well as strategic aspects (profitability, resilience, growth). In other words, a Director of Operations is the jack of all trades within the company, in a positive sense.

As a first-time Director of Operations, your role is not only to keep the company profitable but also to work with the CEO to build an efficient – and sustainable – business model. That means you'll be developing long-term operational strategies for where the organization is going, who will work there, and how to make things click. 

Common mistakes Directors of Operations make

Andy Mills , Director of Operations in the United Kingdom, has given us an overview of the most common challenges the operations leaders face when they join the company or are promoted internally.

Before we jump to the mistakes, let’s take a step back to see how Andy defines the role. According to Andy, “a Director of Operations is a pivotal role that sits at the heart of a business providing and receiving services from and to all other departments as well as maintaining a keen focus on external clients.” To enable these services, he believes, there are several challenges the DoOs face in the role. Namely, in getting to know the business, in understanding the needs of the key stakeholders, and in carrying out processes. Let’s dive into each of these.

While some DoOs get into their roles with a basic understanding of how the business and its departments operate, some have to play catch-up. The Director of Operations will have to understand where the company is currently, what they do, and how they do it.

It’s equally important to mention that every Director of Operations must have a strong understanding of those who are most likely to influence the company's decisions. “Failure to understand who the key stakeholders are, who the decisions makers are on the Board as well within the Senior Leadership team, and how to work with those individuals effectively,” shares Andy, “limits the impact a DoO can make on a business particularly, when attempting to contribute to the corporate strategy or implement new policies and procedures.”

Failing to understand the processes 

“There is a saying that if something is not broken, then do not fix it,” continues Andy. “The question is, do we know it needs fixing? It is likely that there will be several well-established processes within Operations and within products and services. However, are those processes carried out as they were intended, are they fit for purpose for today’s needs, or have workarounds been added to compensate for something that is operationally broken?”

“The DoO will need to work with their team to analyze these processes to identify these permanent additions as they can create overly complex and inefficient processes adding to unnecessary cost. The end-users and customers will notice impacts to quality and performance, which need to be addressed and ideally, before they notice!”

Key things for succeeding in the role of Director of Operations

Many first-time Directors of Operations are called into this role at short notice or are simply promoted from within. Nobody likes being unprepared for something as important as their job title implies, but with our list of must-haves below, you’ll be primed for your new job a lot quicker. 

1. An investigative and inquisitive mind

Being a Director of Operations also means that you have to understand what everyone does in a functional team, how they do their job, and how they interface with others around them. Understanding these aspects is crucial to understanding how each department works with the other. There can be a lot of politics involved so don't overlook this factor when evaluating whether you want this position or not. The main advice that every Director of Operations wishes he knew before becoming one is to have an investigative and inquisitive mind while enabling a global mindset approach for the entire organization.

The ability to consider all angles that affect your organization’s success should be your go-to mindset. This mindset can help aid in strategic planning and your long-term vision for the organization while also narrowing down some of the major issues that are causing problems within your organization. A curious mind will help you notice ‘little fires’ and put them out once they appear.

2. An understanding of the entire value chain

To work effectively, the Director of Operations must understand everything from employee relations to delivery. Successful DoOs have a sophisticated understanding of how systems fit together and are able to maintain strong focus on core values while also staying open to change. They understand the connections between people, business processes, and technology and are able to communicate across each of these areas.

3. The ability to get in the trenches with the team

For any Director of Operations, regardless of the industry, a successful first quarter starts with helping the team with their day-to-day duties from day one, so be prepared to wear many hats and be able to fill many roles! “To be an effective operations director,” says Elizabeth Toumajian , Operations Director & Manager in the US, “you need to be willing to do any task – no matter how big or how small. I have always been a leader who places a high value on her team and I go to great lengths to show them they are valued!” “It may not be crucial that the director has come from a specific industry,” explains Elizabeth, “but rather that they are willing to do the little jobs like doing intake paperwork with a customer, cleaning up a mess or spill (janitorial duties), fixing a printer or copy machine. And then, on the other end, this same person might be overseeing projects, doing payroll, handling HR issues, or doing budgeting. I think in order to set the right energy at the business, the leader needs to lead by example. I won’t ask an employee of mine to do something that I haven’t already done myself.”

4. Exceptional communication skills

It goes without saying that Directors of Operations won’t be able to succeed in their roles without being master communicators. Being a successful Director of Operations requires you to communicate with many different people for the sake of different business objectives. For example, you may need to rally employees together, foster stronger integration between two teams, or simply encourage your colleagues to adopt new processes. 

In each case, your work will be severely hampered if you are not good at communicating. However, being a good communicator isn’t enough in this role – because there is also a lot of paperwork involved; from issuing reports to regular communication with leadership. It is essential that you get used to communicating effectively in writing as well as in person. Getting your message across in the best way possible can take years of practice, but it should be one of the top priorities on your list. 

5. Laser focus on eliminating admin work

One of the goals of hiring a Director of Operations is to make sure that the organization runs efficiently. Admin work is often a silent killer of efficiency, and if you don’t chase it, it can easily chip away from your margins. The admin work itself is not the problem; it is something that needs to be done. Rather, it’s how companies get bogged down into ways of doing things that are inefficient. 

Take a consulting firm as an example. A lot of time goes to waste simply because too much of the administrative clerical work is sitting on your employees’ desks. Steve Glaveski , former EY consultant recalls “countless six-figure earning colleagues painstakingly laboring over perfecting Powerpoint proposals for days, if not weeks, only for the prospective engagement to go to a competitor” and “auditors carrying folders of client receipts and bank statements everywhere; automation tools not so much.”

As your team grows along with the business, it is inevitable that the daily tasks can become more monotonous. Whether it is creating timesheets, dealing with petty cash issues, traveling for client visits because you can’t afford to keep an on-site presence in different locations, or even chasing approval for an expense report – these are tasks that don’t help you grow your revenue.

In order to keep your operations running smoothly and efficiently, you need to be sure to pay attention to the projects and tasks that are adding value and eliminate the ones that aren’t.

6. One central location for managing project operations

Successful Directors of Operations always have one thing in common – they know how to visualize the health and performance of the company in an instant. This can only be achieved with a single location where you can keep tabs on everything that’s happening. You don’t need to upgrade a lot of tools to accomplish this feat – just one place you go for information about every aspect of the business.

More and more Directors of Operations are leveraging professional services automation software that unites projects, resources, and budgets in one complete suite and cuts on admin work. This way, they don’t have to flit from tool to tool to get an understanding of where the business is currently standing. Here’s why you need professional services automation and how everyone in your organization can benefit from it. 

Quick tips to kickstart the Director of Operations job

Obviously, the above is important to understand what operations are all about. But a million-dollar question remains: Where do you even start? Where do you spend your energy first? Here are two scenarios. 

Sometimes Directors of Operations are hired to bring the company from chaos to calm. They’ve had their wake-up calls and are now looking for someone who could make a better lead on processes and efficiency. Back in the days, Charlotte Collier , Head of Operations at Finally Agency , was asked to do exactly that. 

“There were three things that worked for us from an operations perspective, says Charlotte. “First, narrowing down our focus on a smaller list of areas that we do well played an instrumental part in improving our operations. If you really focus on what you do well as a company and work backward from it, you’re going to succeed in no time.”

Starting as a Director of Operations can be overwhelming, believes Charlotte, so not trying to improve all of the work people do at the same time was part of Finally’s strategy. The other two things followed: 1) getting clear data and reporting and 2) setting goals they could work towards. 

You’ll be involved with the day-to-day grind of running your organization, so having enough perspective to see the whole picture is essential. Learn more in the webinar From Chaos to Calm here .

“When you’ve got focus, you’ve got efficiency,” added Steve Howard , Finally’s CEO. “Working out our direction and focusing on our core positioning first helped us to figure out where to put our energy and what steps to take.”

This approach is similar to the mantra that Matt Nelson , Head of Operations at Holition advises every new Director of Operations to follow. “Always start simple,” suggests Matt, “and follow your own course. It may sound ridiculous but think back to the last time you did an A/B test. Testing one small thing at a time is always recommended to understand what worked and what didn’t work eventually.”

We asked Dr. Taoufik Samaka , a Vice President of Procurement Foundry, to give operations leaders other practical ideas to bootstrap in case they’re stuck. Here’s a checklist Taoufik provided, going down to the nitty-gritty of the job:

• Dive into the project statements.
• Organize a project review with a project core team.
• Stay aligned with stakeholders.
• Review risks.
• Align with project managers to understand their needs in short, mid, and long term perspectives.
• If not yet, set up a clear mission statement and objectives for the project managers, they should be tied to the overall operations and business strategy.
• If not yet, build project reporting.
• Foster transparency between the parties.
• Look for quick wins/low-hanging fruits and act on them, they are good for the troop’s morale.
• Ban the use of spreadsheets and duplicates of reporting and databases.
• Ensure the reporting tools and processes are efficient and reliable so that reported data can be trusted.
• Benchmark! Compare to other organizations and competition! 
• Train the people, it is well invested and will have a quick ROI (for every $1 spent on upskilling, businesses typically earn or save $2.6, according to PwC).
• Develop a succession plan for critical roles.
• If not yet, set up proper governance.
• Ask sales and project managers to define the top 5 things that don't allow them to sleep at night.
• Identify toxic people and neutralize them (if no time to remediate otherwise), if time allows, talk to them and keep monitoring.
• Always develop a plan B and C.
• Digitize, digitize, digitize!

On the final note, Taoufik mentions that it's really critical to ensure project monitoring. He recommends to define and review the KPIs, their definition, their pertinence, the way they are measured, the interpretation of the measure, the way they will be reported and the regularity. This should go together with defining KPi owners.

Nobody said becoming a successful Director of Business Operations would be easy. In fact, there's so much to consider in the first few months. However, it doesn’t change the fact that Directors of Operations are the unsung heroes of a business. Responsible for the smooth running of operations and reporting directly to the CEO, the Director of Operations is at the heart of all organizational success. If you’re on your way to improving operational efficiency, feel free to download our ebook as well here .

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DIRECTOR, OPERATIONS

Aug 23, 2014

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ISO New England OASIS Related Organizational Chart. PRESIDENT & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER. SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT & CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER. VICE PRESIDENT, SYSTEM OPERATIONS. DIRECTOR, OPERATIONS. PRINCIPAL ENGINEER. MANAGER, CONTROL ROOM OPERATIONS. OPERATIONS SUPPORT ENGINEER.

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ISO New England OASIS Related Organizational Chart PRESIDENT & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT & CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER VICE PRESIDENT, SYSTEM OPERATIONS DIRECTOR, OPERATIONS PRINCIPAL ENGINEER MANAGER, CONTROL ROOM OPERATIONS OPERATIONS SUPPORT ENGINEER Shift Supervisor (6) FORECASTER (6) System Operator (18) TSO ADMINISTRATOR (5) Sr. System Operator (6)

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