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How a general / operations manager can use AI, task by task

O*NET 11-1021.00: General and Operations ManagersMedian pay $105,770/year (BLS, May 2025)17 tasksJob Zone 4: Considerable preparation

Plan, direct, or coordinate the operations of public or private sector organizations, overseeing multiple departments or locations. Duties and responsibilities include formulating policies, managing daily operations, and planning the use of materials and human resources, but are too diverse and general in nature to be classified in any one functional area of management or administration, such as personnel, purchasing, or administrative services. Usually manage through subordinate supervisors. Excludes First-Line Supervisors.

Type your own title and every prompt on this page updates to match. Also called: Business Manager, Center Manager, Department Manager, District Manager, General Manager (GM), Operations Director, Operations General Manager (Operations GM), Operations Manager, Plant Superintendent, Store Manager.

Where AI fits in this job

AI-ready 22%AI-assist 35%Stays human 43%

Share of the job's tasks, weighted by how important and how frequent each task is (O*NET ratings). 3 AI-ready, 7 AI-assist and 7 human-led tasks out of 17. This measures where AI can help, not whether the job will disappear.

Information & paperwork
Thinking & planning
People & communication
Leading & teaching
Hands-on & physical

Shape of the job: importance of each kind of work activity (O*NET, 1 to 5).

🔒 Many of these tasks involve people's information. Remove names and identifying details before using AI, or use only a tool your employer has approved.

AI can draft these 3

AI produces a usable first pass. You review it, fix it and own it.

Review financial statements, sales or activity reports, or other performance data to measure productivity or goal achievement or to identify areas needing cost reduction or program improvement.

Weekly

AI finds trends and writes the spreadsheet formulas.

📊 Real AI use (Anthropic Economic Index, Apr 2026 to May 2026): AI completed the task directly in 61% of those conversations; the rest were back-and-forth with the person.

Show prompt & steps

Paste a spreadsheet or table and ask AI to find trends, outliers and totals, or to write the formula you need. It's like having an analyst on call.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a general / operations manager. Part of my job is to review financial statements, sales or activity reports, or other performance data to measure productivity or goal achievement or to identify areas needing cost reduction or program improvement.

Context: We use Tableau and IBM SPSS Statistics; the work draws on administration and management, production and processing and economics and accounting.
Decision to make: [approve, change, invest, staff]
Reports: [paste key figures or summaries]

Summarize what the reports show, the options, the trade-offs, and what you'd want to know before deciding. Show calculations.

10-minute exercise: Turn reports into a decision

Step 1Take the reports in front of you this week.
Step 2Fill in [Decision to make] and [Reports] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Make the decision yourself, then note whether the analysis changed your mind. Recompute every total yourself.

AI makes arithmetic mistakes. Recompute anything that matters with a spreadsheet formula.

Double-check every number. AI can make arithmetic and rounding mistakes.

Importance 4.2/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Analyze data to inform operational decisions or activities.. Also involves: Analyze financial records to improve efficiency..

Prepare staff work schedules and assign specific duties.

Daily

AI drafts the plan, schedule or checklist for you to adjust.

📊 Real AI use (Anthropic Economic Index, Apr 2026 to May 2026): AI completed the task directly in 33% of those conversations; the rest were back-and-forth with the person.

Show prompt & steps

Describe the goal, the people and the constraints, and AI drafts the plan, schedule or checklist. You adjust it to what you know about real life on the ground.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a general / operations manager. Part of my job is to prepare staff work schedules and assign specific duties.

Context: We use Microsoft Project and Oracle Primavera Enterprise Project Portfolio Management; the work draws on administration and management, production and processing and economics and accounting.
Team: [describe]
Work: [duties, priorities]

Draft assignments and a schedule. Lay it out as a table with steps, owner, timing and what could go wrong, then list the decisions I still need to make.

10-minute exercise: Staff assignments

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you prepare staff work schedules (today).
Step 2Fill in [Team] and [Work] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Cross out anything that won't work on the ground and ask AI to revise with your corrections.

AI doesn't know your people, your site or your history. Treat its plan as a starting point to react to.

Importance 4.0/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Prepare staff schedules or work assignments..

Develop or implement product-marketing strategies, including advertising campaigns or sales promotions.

Monthly

AI drafts the plan, schedule or checklist for you to adjust.

📊 Real AI use (Anthropic Economic Index, Apr 2026 to May 2026): AI completed the task directly in 41% of those conversations; the rest were back-and-forth with the person.

Show prompt & steps

Describe the goal, the people and the constraints, and AI drafts the plan, schedule or checklist. You adjust it to what you know about real life on the ground.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a general / operations manager. Part of my job is to develop or implement product-marketing strategies, including advertising campaigns or sales promotions.

Context: We use Microsoft Project and Oracle Primavera Enterprise Project Portfolio Management; the work draws on administration and management, production and processing and economics and accounting.
Product or position: [what we're promoting]
Target audience and budget: [who, how much]

Draft a plan with positioning, channels, timeline, budget split and KPIs. Lay it out as a table with steps, owner, timing and what could go wrong, then list the decisions I still need to make.

10-minute exercise: Marketing plan

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you develop or implement product-marketing strategies.
Step 2Fill in [Product or position] and [Target audience and budget].
Step 3Sanity-check the budget split against last year's results.

AI doesn't know your people, your site or your history. Treat its plan as a starting point to react to.

Importance 3.6/5 · O*NET work activity: Develop marketing plans or strategies.. Also involves: Implement organizational process or policy changes..

AI can help you prep these 7

AI speeds up the prep, drafting or thinking. The core of the task is still yours.

Perform personnel functions, such as selection, training, or evaluation.

Monthly

AI drafts the structure and wording; the specifics and sign-off are yours.

Show prompt & steps

AI can draft the structure and standard wording. The specifics, the judgment calls and the sign-off are yours.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a general / operations manager. Part of my job is to perform personnel functions, such as selection, training, or evaluation.

Context: We use Microsoft SharePoint and Adobe Acrobat.
Role: [describe]
Needs: [duties, skills]

Draft a job description, posting and interview questions. Use plain language and headings where they help, and mark anything you had to guess with [CHECK].

10-minute exercise: Hiring documents

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you perform personnel functions. Leave out names and identifying details.
Step 2Fill in [Role] and [Needs] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check the posting for biased or unlawful wording.

AI will happily make up numbers, names and dates. Every fact in the draft needs checking against your source.

Importance 3.8/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Hire personnel.. Also involves: Conduct employee training programs..

Establish or implement departmental policies, goals, objectives, or procedures in conjunction with board members, organization officials, or staff members.

Monthly

AI lays out options and timelines to react to.

📊 Real AI use (Anthropic Economic Index, Apr 2026 to May 2026): AI completed the task directly in 31% of those conversations; the rest were back-and-forth with the person.

Show prompt & steps

AI can lay out options, timelines and checklists to react to. Fitting it to your people, budget and situation is your call.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a general / operations manager. Part of my job is to establish or implement departmental policies, goals, objectives, or procedures in conjunction with board members, organization officials, or staff members.

Context: We use Microsoft Project and Oracle Primavera Enterprise Project Portfolio Management; the work draws on administration and management, production and processing and economics and accounting.
Change: [new policy, goal, procedure]
People affected: [teams, roles]

Draft a rollout plan: steps, owners, communications, training, and how we'll know it's working. Lay it out as a table with steps, owner, timing and what could go wrong, then list the decisions I still need to make.

10-minute exercise: Roll out a policy change

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you establish or implement departmental policies, goals and objectives. Leave out names and identifying details.
Step 2Fill in [Change] and [People affected] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Cross out steps that won't work in practice and assign owners for the rest.

AI doesn't know your people, your site or your history. Treat its plan as a starting point to react to.

Importance 3.7/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Implement organizational process or policy changes.. Also involves: Develop organizational goals or objectives.; Develop organizational policies or programs..

Perform sales floor work, such as greeting or assisting customers, stocking shelves, or taking inventory.

Daily

AI builds you an answer bank; exceptions and the human touch are yours.

📊 Real AI use (Anthropic Economic Index, Apr 2026 to May 2026): AI completed the task directly in 48% of those conversations; the rest were back-and-forth with the person.

Show prompt & steps

Build a personal answer bank with AI for the questions you get every day. In the moment, the human touch and the judgment about exceptions are yours.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a general / operations manager. Part of my job is to perform sales floor work, such as greeting or assisting customers, stocking shelves, or taking inventory.

Context: We use Salesforce software and Microsoft Visual Basic; the work draws on administration and management, production and processing and economics and accounting.
Setting: [store, restaurant, office]
Common questions: [list]

Write friendly greetings and answers. Keep answers to 2-3 sentences and flag any that depend on the situation.

10-minute exercise: Greeting and information

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you perform sales floor work (today). Leave out names and identifying details.
Step 2Fill in [Setting] and [Common questions] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Save the answers you'd actually use and tweak each one the first time you send it.

Don't paste customers' personal details into AI tools. Describe the situation instead.

Importance 3.9/5 · O*NET work activity: Provide basic information to guests, visitors, or clients..

Direct or coordinate financial or budget activities to fund operations, maximize investments, or increase efficiency.

Monthly

AI does the arithmetic and suggests what to look at; the conclusions are yours.

Show prompt & steps

AI can do the arithmetic, build the spreadsheet formula and suggest what to look at. Deciding what the numbers mean for your situation is still you.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a general / operations manager. Part of my job is to direct or coordinate financial or budget activities to fund operations, maximize investments, or increase efficiency.

Context: We use Tableau and IBM SPSS Statistics; the work draws on administration and management, production and processing and economics and accounting.
Organization: [describe]
Data: [paste budget and actuals]

Analyze funding, controls and variances; recommend actions. Show your working step by step and give spreadsheet formulas so I can reproduce the numbers.

10-minute exercise: Financial operations review

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you direct or coordinate financial.
Step 2Fill in [Organization] and [Data] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Recompute the most important number yourself before you trust the rest. Recompute every total yourself.

AI makes arithmetic mistakes. Recompute anything that matters with a spreadsheet formula.

Double-check every number. AI can make arithmetic and rounding mistakes.

Importance 3.9/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Direct financial operations..

Set prices or credit terms for goods or services, based on forecasts of customer demand.

Daily

AI drafts the structure and wording; the specifics and sign-off are yours.

Show prompt & steps

AI can draft the structure and standard wording. The specifics, the judgment calls and the sign-off are yours.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a general / operations manager. Part of my job is to set prices or credit terms for goods or services, based on forecasts of customer demand.

Context: We use Microsoft SharePoint and Adobe Acrobat.
Products or services: [describe]
Inputs: [costs, demand forecast, competitor prices, goals]

Draft pricing options and a policy with rules for discounts and credit terms. Show calculations. Use plain language and headings where they help, and mark anything you had to guess with [CHECK].

10-minute exercise: Pricing policy

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you set prices or credit terms (today). Leave out names and identifying details.
Step 2Fill in [Products or services] and [Inputs] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check every fact, name and number against your source before it goes anywhere. Recompute every total yourself.

AI will happily make up numbers, names and dates. Every fact in the draft needs checking against your source.

Double-check every number. AI can make arithmetic and rounding mistakes.

Importance 4.0/5 · O*NET work activity: Determine pricing or monetary policies..

Plan store layouts or design displays.

Monthly

AI generates options and references; taste and the final call are yours.

📊 Real AI use (Anthropic Economic Index, Apr 2026 to May 2026): AI completed the task directly in 46% of those conversations; the rest were back-and-forth with the person.

Show prompt & steps

Use AI to generate lots of options, references and rough mock-ups fast. The craft, the taste and the final call are what make it yours.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a general / operations manager. Part of my job is to plan store layouts or design displays.

Context: We use Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Creative Cloud software; the work draws on administration and management, production and processing and economics and accounting.
Space: [store, facility]
Goals: [flow, display]

Generate layout options with pros and cons. Give 10 quite different options from safe to bold, then develop the best 2.

10-minute exercise: Layout design

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you plan store layouts or design displays.
Step 2Fill in [Space] and [Goals] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Pick the idea that sparks something and develop it yourself for 5 minutes.

Check the usage rules for AI images and text in your field, and make sure the final work is original.

Importance 2.9/5 · O*NET work activity: Plan facility layouts or designs..

Recommend locations for new facilities, or oversee the remodeling or renovating of current facilities.

A few times a year

AI helps you prepare clearer wording and likely questions.

Show prompt & steps

Use AI to prepare: simpler wording, analogies, likely questions and a one-page handout. The conversation itself is yours.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a general / operations manager. Part of my job is to recommend locations for new facilities, or oversee the remodeling or renovating of current facilities.

Context: We use Microsoft Visio; the work draws on administration and management, production and processing and economics and accounting.
Issue: [describe]
Options: [list]

Write a recommendation memo with trade-offs. Use plain language, one everyday analogy, and the questions people are most likely to ask with short answers.

10-minute exercise: Policy change recommendation

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you recommend locations.
Step 2Fill in [Issue] and [Options] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check every answer is right for your workplace before you share it.

Rules, prices and policies change. Make sure AI is working from your current official version.

Importance 2.8/5 · O*NET work activity: Recommend organizational process or policy changes.. Also involves: Determine resource needs.; Manage construction activities..

These stay human 7

They need your hands, your presence or your accountable judgment. Lean into them: they get more valuable as routine work is automated.

📏 Measured in this job (O*NET work context): Frequency of decisions: every day · Face-to-face discussions: every day · Contact with others: constant contact with others · Responsible for others' health and safety: very high responsibility

Direct and coordinate activities of businesses or departments concerned with the production, pricing, sales, or distribution of products.

Daily

Leading people runs on trust. AI can prep the paperwork around it.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI can prep the paperwork around leading: meeting agendas, feedback drafts, rotas, briefings and difficult-conversation rehearsals.

Prep prompt

I work as a general / operations manager. Part of my job is to direct and coordinate activities of businesses or departments concerned with the production, pricing, sales, or distribution of products.

Context: The work draws on administration and management, production and processing and economics and accounting.
Department: [sales, marketing, service]
Goal: [describe]

Help me prepare: the key message in 2 sentences, what good looks like, how people might react and how I'll respond, and one thing I'll check next week.

10-minute exercise: Directing sales or service

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you direct and coordinate activities of businesses or departments (today).
Step 2Fill in [Department] and [Goal] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Afterward, note one thing people responded to and one thing you'd change.

Importance 4.1/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Direct sales, marketing, or customer service activities.. Also involves: Direct organizational operations, projects, or services..

Direct administrative activities directly related to making products or providing services.

Daily

Leading people runs on trust. AI can prep the paperwork around it.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI can prep the paperwork around leading: meeting agendas, feedback drafts, rotas, briefings and difficult-conversation rehearsals.

Prep prompt

I work as a general / operations manager. Part of my job is to direct administrative activities directly related to making products or providing services.

Context: The work draws on administration and management, production and processing and economics and accounting.
Organization: [describe]
Priority or change: [describe]

Help me prepare: the key message in 2 sentences, what good looks like, how people might react and how I'll respond, and one thing I'll check next week.

10-minute exercise: Directing the organization

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you direct administrative activities directly (today).
Step 2Fill in [Organization] and [Priority or change] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Afterward, note one thing people responded to and one thing you'd change.

Importance 4.0/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Direct organizational operations, projects, or services..

Plan or direct activities, such as sales promotions, that require coordination with other department managers.

Weekly

Leading people runs on trust. AI can prep the paperwork around it.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI can prep the paperwork around leading: meeting agendas, feedback drafts, rotas, briefings and difficult-conversation rehearsals.

Prep prompt

I work as a general / operations manager. Part of my job is to plan or direct activities, such as sales promotions, that require coordination with other department managers.

Context: The work draws on administration and management, production and processing and economics and accounting.
Department: [sales, marketing, service]
Goal: [describe]

Help me prepare: the key message in 2 sentences, what good looks like, how people might react and how I'll respond, and one thing I'll check next week.

10-minute exercise: Directing sales or service

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you plan or direct activities (this week).
Step 2Fill in [Department] and [Goal] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Afterward, note one thing people responded to and one thing you'd change.

Importance 3.8/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Direct sales, marketing, or customer service activities.. Also involves: Develop marketing plans or strategies..

Manage the movement of goods into and out of production facilities to ensure efficiency, effectiveness, or sustainability of operations.

Daily

Leading people runs on trust. AI can prep the paperwork around it.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI can prep the paperwork around leading: meeting agendas, feedback drafts, rotas, briefings and difficult-conversation rehearsals.

Prep prompt

I work as a general / operations manager. Part of my job is to manage the movement of goods into and out of production facilities to ensure efficiency, effectiveness, or sustainability of operations.

Context: The work draws on administration and management, production and processing and economics and accounting.
Organization: [describe]
Priority or change: [describe]

Help me prepare: the key message in 2 sentences, what good looks like, how people might react and how I'll respond, and one thing I'll check next week.

10-minute exercise: Directing the organization

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you manage the movement of goods (today).
Step 2Fill in [Organization] and [Priority or change] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Afterward, note one thing people responded to and one thing you'd change.

Importance 4.0/5 · O*NET work activity: Direct organizational operations, projects, or services..

Monitor suppliers to ensure that they efficiently and effectively provide needed goods or services within budgetary limits.

Monthly

Leading people runs on trust. AI can prep the paperwork around it.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI can prep the paperwork around leading: meeting agendas, feedback drafts, rotas, briefings and difficult-conversation rehearsals.

Prep prompt

I work as a general / operations manager. Part of my job is to monitor suppliers to ensure that they efficiently and effectively provide needed goods or services within budgetary limits.

Context: The work draws on administration and management, production and processing and economics and accounting.
Who I oversee: [team, suppliers, partners]
What I've noticed: [performance issues or wins]

Help me plan a check-in: the key message, questions to ask, how they might react, and agreed next steps.

10-minute exercise: Performance check-in prep

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you monitor suppliers.
Step 2Fill in [Who I oversee] and [What I've noticed] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Hold the meeting and note what changed afterward.

Importance 3.4/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Monitor performance of organizational members or partners..

Direct non-merchandising departments of businesses, such as advertising or purchasing.

Weekly

Leading people runs on trust. AI can prep the paperwork around it.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI can prep the paperwork around leading: meeting agendas, feedback drafts, rotas, briefings and difficult-conversation rehearsals.

Prep prompt

I work as a general / operations manager. Part of my job is to direct non-merchandising departments of businesses, such as advertising or purchasing.

Context: The work draws on administration and management, production and processing and economics and accounting.
Department: [sales, marketing, service]
Goal: [describe]

Help me prepare: the key message in 2 sentences, what good looks like, how people might react and how I'll respond, and one thing I'll check next week.

10-minute exercise: Directing sales or service

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you direct non-merchandising departments of businesses (this week).
Step 2Fill in [Department] and [Goal] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Afterward, note one thing people responded to and one thing you'd change.

Importance 3.5/5 · O*NET work activity: Direct sales, marketing, or customer service activities.. Also involves: Direct organizational operations, projects, or services..

Implement or oversee environmental management or sustainability programs addressing issues such as recycling, conservation, or waste management.

Monthly

Leading people runs on trust. AI can prep the paperwork around it.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI can prep the paperwork around leading: meeting agendas, feedback drafts, rotas, briefings and difficult-conversation rehearsals.

Prep prompt

I work as a general / operations manager. Part of my job is to implement or oversee environmental management or sustainability programs addressing issues such as recycling, conservation, or waste management.

Context: The work draws on administration and management, production and processing and economics and accounting.
Project: [describe]
Team: [describe]

Help me prepare: the key message in 2 sentences, what good looks like, how people might react and how I'll respond, and one thing I'll check next week.

10-minute exercise: Managing sustainability projects

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you implement or oversee environmental management or sustainability programs addressing issues.
Step 2Fill in [Project] and [Team] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Afterward, note one thing people responded to and one thing you'd change.

Importance 3.1/5 · O*NET work activity: Manage environmental sustainability projects.. Also involves: Implement organizational process or policy changes..

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Your next moves

Skills to build

From O*NET's ratings of how important each skill is in this job, matched to which part of the work it supports.

Stays human Deepen these

They power the human-led work, which is the part of the job AI can't take over.

  • Active Listeningimportance 4.0/5
    Used in: Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates
  • Monitoringimportance 4.0/5
    Used in: Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates
  • Speakingimportance 4.0/5
    Used in: Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates
  • Coordinationimportance 3.9/5
    Used in: Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates

With AI Use these to work with AI

When AI does the first draft, these are the skills you use to brief it and check what comes back.

  • Critical Thinkingimportance 3.9/5
    Used in: Analyzing Data or Information
  • Reading Comprehensionimportance 4.0/5
    Used in: Analyzing Data or Information
  • Judgment and Decision Makingimportance 3.6/5
    Used in: Staffing Organizational Units
  • Complex Problem Solvingimportance 3.6/5
    Used in: Making Decisions and Solving Problems

Where you could move

Related jobs from O*NET with the closest skill profile, favouring ones where more of the work stays human. No step down in preparation.

Getting into this job

High school diploma is most common (29% of workers)

  • High school or less 39%
  • Certificate or some college 27%
  • Associate's 6%
  • Bachelor's 27%
  • On-the-job training: 6–12 months
  • Related experience: 2–4 years

What workers in this job report, from O*NET surveys (typical values).

Software in this job

In-demand tools from O*NET. Many now have AI built in, so check what yours can do before adding a new tool.

Adobe AcrobatAdobe Creative Cloud softwareAdobe PhotoshopAmazon Web Services AWS softwareApache HadoopApple macOSAtlassian ConfluenceAtlassian JIRAAutodesk AutoCADExtensible markup language XMLFacebookGoogle Analytics