Here is my suggested outline for the book with short reasoning: 1. The Strategic Opportunity of Digital Operations 2. The Business Case for Funding Transformation These initial chapters make the high-level strategic case for optimizing operations through digital technologies. Leaders need this vision and rationale first. 3. Developing a Roadmap and New Operating Model 4. Building Organizational Capability These chapters turn the vision into an actionable roadmap and start addressing the capabilities required, especially around people and change management. 5. Effective Governance and Change Management Policy and decision making around oversight and managing transformation are covered before discussing specific technologies. 6. Automating Core Business Processes 7. Using AI to Enhance Decision Making 8. Empowering Employees with Low-Code/No-Code Tools technological chapters on automation, AI and low-code tools come next with a balance of strategy and hands-on guidance. 9. Building a Remote and Global Workforce 10. Improving Customer Experiences Examples of using technologies to optimize specific areas of operations like global work and customer experience follow. Here are some suggestions for chapters that could cover remaining technologies and use cases in more depth for sections 11 through 19: 11. Automating HR and Talent Processes Focus on how technologies like AI, mobile apps, and workflow automation are optimizing HR operations. 12. Optimizing the Customer Journey with Digital Tools Discuss various technologies for improving customer experience across the full journey with an organization. 13. Enabling Seamless Collaboration with Digital Workplace Tools Explore tools for collaboration, productivity, project management, and internal communications. 14. Leveraging Data and Analytics for Actionable Insights Explain how to use technologies like data visualization, predictive analytics, and business intelligence to optimize decisions and planning. 15. Reducing Infrastructure Costs with Cloud Solutions Discuss the benefits of cloud computing for digital operations including scalability, reliability and reduced costs. Provide guidance on effective adoption. 16. Preventing Disruption with Enhanced Digital Security Address tools and strategies for data and system security which are imperative given increasing cyber threats. 17. Using Digital Solutions for Operational Efficiency Overview of additional technologies for optimizing specific business processes like logistics, sales, marketing campaign management, etc. 18. Optimizing Knowledge Management and Learning Discuss how technologies such as knowledge bases, collaboration platforms, and learning experience platforms can enhance how organizations manage and transfer knowledge. 19.Exploring Emerging and Advanced Technologies 20. Maturing Your Approach to Digital Operations 21. Achieving Digital Leadership The final chapters revisit how to continuously improve and reach higher levels of maturity plus the leadership qualities required to become digitally adept. In summary, the order begins at a strategic level, works through developing the necessary roadmap and capabilities, introduces specific technologies and applications, and ends by returning to an enterprise view of continually advancing digital operations and leadership. The topics build on each other in a logical fashion for executives leading this transformation. Please let me know if you would like me to clarify or expand on any part of this outline further. I aimed for a high-level flow of ideas but can provide more details if needed. # first notes Here is a potential book outline on the topic of digital operations, please reorder the chapters in a titled list. Do not include chapter descriptions. Do include a short description of your reasoning for the order. 1. Introduction to Digital Operations - Define digital operations and its key components: automation, AI, global talent, remote work, low-code tools, process redesign, digital skills, etc. - Discuss the business benefits of effective digital operations like cost savings, efficiency, access to talent, improved customer experience, etc. - Warn against the hype and note that technology alone does not transform a company. A balanced strategic approach is required. 2. Develop a Digital Strategy - Assess your current digital maturity and operations - Define a vision and goals based on your business priorities - Evaluate technologies and tools that could support your goals but be pragmatic - Plan for changes to processes, skills, culture that may be required 3. Automate and Optimize Key Processes - Review major business processes like billing, onboarding, HR admin, payroll, etc. and see what can be automated - Adopt tools and software to automate processes and connect them for maximum efficiency - Redesign other inefficient processes and simplify where possible 4. Using AI and Data to Improve Decision Making - Explore how AI, machine learning and data analysis could enhance your operations - Start with more basic tools for automation or recommendation and work your way up to more advanced AI applications as you build skills and data - Focus on augmenting human capabilities, not replacing humans 5. Developing a Remote and Global Workforce - Evaluate what roles and tasks in your company could be done remotely by global talent - Build a culture and management approach suited for remote and global teams - Invest in collaboration and communication tools and provide training for both managers and employees 6. Using Low-Code and No-Code Solutions - Consider if low-code or no-code tools could be used by non-technical staff to improve certain processes - Provide training and governance to support staff using these tools - Don't eliminate your developers - their skills will still be required for many IT and digital needs 7. Continuously Improve Your Digital Operations - Monitor KPIs and metrics to track the results of your digital operations - Solicit feedback from staff and customers on their experience - Keep an eye on new technologies and tools that could boost your digital operations - Make changes and iterate as needed based on data, feedback and lessons learned 1. The Rise of Digital Operations Takeaway: Digital operations are fast becoming critical for business success but require a strategic approach. 2. Developing a Vision and Roadmap Takeaway: Conduct an audit of current systems and processes to inform a vision and roadmap for optimizing digital operations. 3. Automating Core Business Processes Takeaway: Review major processes like billing, HR, and payroll to determine what can be automated to reduce costs and improve efficiency. 4. Using AI to Enhance Decision Making Takeaway: Apply AI and machine learning to augment human capabilities and improve key decisions based on data-driven insights. 5. Building a Remote and Global Workforce Takeaway: With the right culture and tools, remote and global teams can access top talent and innovative ideas from anywhere. 6. Empowering Employees with Low-Code/No-Code Tools Takeaway: Give employees simple self-service tools to solve problems and build applications without relying on technical skills. 7. Driving a Data-Centric Culture Takeaway: Develop a culture focused on generating, sharing, and acting upon data and metrics to optimize digital operations. 8. Improving Customer Experiences Takeaway: Use digital tools and data to better understand customers and deliver personalized, seamless experiences across channels. 9. Enabling Agile Collaboration Takeaway: Adopt project management and communication tools tailored for agile work methods and a collaborative culture. 10. Providing Continuous Learning Takeaway: Offer ongoing digital skills training and support for managers and employees adapting to new technologies and ways of working. 11. Managing Remote Teams Effectively Takeaway: Apply people management and communication strategies tailored to the unique needs of remote employees and teams. 12. Implementing Digital Governance Takeaway: Develop guidelines and policies around technology use, data privacy, tool selection, and compliance to support digital operations. 14. The Future of Automation and AI Takeaway: Expect AI and automation to transform business processes and jobs - plan now to align work with human capabilities. 15. Learning from First Movers and Digital Leaders Takeaway: Case studies highlight how innovative companies successfully optimized digital operations through strategy, culture, and technology. 16. Developing a Digital HR Function Takeaway: Prioritize skills, hiring, training, and management practices to build a workforce suited for modern digital organizations. 17. Improving IT and Data Security Takeaway: Protect systems, networks, and data critical to digital operations from threats that continue to grow in sophistication and scale. 18. Optimizing the Process of Process Optimization Takeaway: Apply frameworks and methodologies such as Lean Six Sigma or process reengineering to simplify and enhance business processes, digitally and non-digitally. 19. Preparing for the Unpredictable Future of Work Takeaway: Take steps now to address the potential future impacts of technology on jobs and skills by increasing adaptability, resilience, and mobility of talent. 20. Maturing Your Approach to Digital Operations Takeaway: Evolve digital operations to sustain competitive advantage through continuous monitoring of emerging best practices and technologies. 21. The Business Case for Digital Operations Takeaway: Estimate the potential cost savings, efficiency gains, productivity increases and revenue upside of optimizing digital operations. This business case will help gain leadership support and funding. 22. Calculating the ROI of Technology Investments Takeaway: Conduct cost-benefit analyses for tools and software using estimates of financial and operational impacts to determine the ROI and priorities for investment. 23. Developing Metrics and KPIs for Digital Operations Takeaway: Define key performance indicators and metrics to set targets, track progress, and measure the results of initiatives to enhance automation, remote work, customer experience and more. 24. Continuous Monitoring and Improvement Takeaway: Review metrics and KPIs regularly and look for opportunities to further optimize costs, productivity, and performance through digital operations. Make adjustments as needed to goals and investments. 25. Reducing Risks and Hidden Costs Takeaway: Identify and mitigate potential risks such as project cost overruns, security breaches, talent issues, or product/market fit problems that could undermine the benefits of digital operations. 1. The Strategic Opportunity of Digital Operations Takeaway: Explain the compelling benefits of digital operations including cost savings, global scale, customer experience. This strategic vision will resonate with leaders. 2. The Business Case for Funding Transformation Takeaway: Provide analysis and metrics demonstrating how investments in digital operations can yield strong ROI and business results to gain leadership buy-in. 3. Developing a Roadmap and New Operating Model Takeaway: High-level guidance on creating a multi-year roadmap for optimizing operations using technologies like automation, AI and shared services. Includes designing a new operating model. 4. Building Organizational Capability Takeaway: Discuss the cultural, talent, technical and management capabilities required to execute the transformation roadmap successfully. Leadership roles are emphasized. 5. Effective Governance and Change Management Takeaway: Address leadership decisions around policy, standards, controls, and guiding changes in strategy, roles, and priorities to implement digital operations. 6-15. Additional chapters cover specific technologies, use cases, and implementation details for executives with shorter summaries. 16. Achieving Digital Leadership Takeaway: Discuss how leaders can drive continuous innovation through digital operations to gain competitive advantage and position their organizations for the future.