McKinsey Talks Operations The race to rewire operations: How the story unfolded in 2025
Dec 19, 2025
In 2025, operations underwent a transformation driven by generative AI and automation. Leaders redefined productivity and resilience amid global challenges. Insights reveal the potential of agentic AI in creating modular workflows, while the importance of decarbonization in operations takes center stage. The conversation delves into the role of AI-driven logistics in cutting emissions and costs, and how process mining uncovers hidden efficiencies. With global hubs emerging as innovative centers, the evolving role of COOs also promises to shape the future.
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Operations As A Strategic Growth Engine
- Operations must connect innovation to business strategy to unlock competitive advantage.
- Leaders should move beyond cost cuts to make operations a growth engine.
Use Volatility To Rethink Productivity
- Leaders used 2025 volatility to rethink productivity and turn disruption into advantage.
- True visibility into supply chains became table stakes for strategy and resilience.
Redesign Processes Before Deploying AI
- Deploy generative and agentic AI by redesigning processes, not just automating tasks.
- Demonstrate measurable ROI to justify further AI investment.