Business Operations

Analysis frameworks, planning tools, and management systems for the business functions that keep organizations running: strategy, resources, vendors, quality, and continuity.

What This Section Covers

Business operations is the analytical and planning layer of operations. Where Processes covers how work gets done and Change Management covers how to evolve those processes, Business Operations covers the tools for understanding your organization’s position, planning its resources, and managing its external relationships.

The section spans several functional areas. Strategic analysis tools like SWOT analysis and gap analysis help organizations assess their current state and identify what needs to change. Organizational charts map reporting structures and spans of control. Capacity planning and resource planning ensure teams are not over or under committed. Vendor management and SLA management handle external partnerships. Quality management, compliance tracking, and QBRs provide governance. Business continuity planning and incident response prepare organizations for disruptions.

What Belongs Here versus Elsewhere

If it is an analysis or planning tool used by business operations teams, it belongs here. Product analytics (NPS, pirate metrics) belong in Product Management. Personal goal setting (SMART goals, OKRs) belongs in Productivity. Process documentation (SOPs, process maps) belongs in Processes. The sorting rule: if the primary user is a business analyst, operations planner, or organizational leader making strategic or resource decisions, it lives in this section.

Content for this section is being built. Check back soon.

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Common Questions About Business Operations

What is business operations?
Business operations is the function responsible for analyzing organizational performance, planning resource allocation, managing vendor relationships, ensuring quality and compliance, and preparing for disruptions. It uses frameworks like SWOT analysis and gap analysis to drive decisions and tools like org charts and capacity plans to execute them.
What is the difference between business operations and business strategy?
Business strategy defines where the organization is going and why. Business operations figures out how to get there with the resources available. A strategy might say "expand into APAC." Business operations would handle the capacity planning, vendor selection, quality management, and continuity planning that make it happen.
When should I use a SWOT analysis versus a gap analysis?
Use SWOT when you need a broad assessment of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, typically at the start of strategic planning. Use gap analysis when you already know where you want to be and need to identify the specific differences between your current state and that target. SWOT maps the landscape; gap analysis maps the distance.
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