Source page: McKinsey & Company
Commentary
AI fast-tracks software tasks
Generative AI | Technology
July 2, 2024 – Generative AI (gen AI) tools can significantly increase the productivity of software product managers, especially for content-heavy tasks. Research by senior partner Chandra Gnanasambandam and coauthors finds that when using gen AI programs, product managers can complete certain tasks, such as writing press releases and creating product backlogs, in 40 percent less time than they would without the tools. However, gen AI capabilities have a smaller impact on content-light tasks, such as gathering and summarizing data for presentations, reducing time spent by 15 percent.
To read the article, see “How generative AI could accelerate software product time to market,” May 31, 2024.
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Visual form
Comparison infographic.
Layout / body structure
The chart is a single centered graphic with a large total on the left, a dense node network in the middle, and two explanatory task groups on the right. The reading order moves from the total into the network and then across the two task categories.
What is being compared
It compares the time burden of product-management work by task type, separating content-heavy tasks from content-light tasks inside the overall project-management workload.
Measurement system
The numbers are minutes. The key labels are the total average duration and the two task-group totals, with the narrative labels explaining what kinds of work sit inside each group.
Visible structure inside the graphic
A connected network of dark and light blue nodes fills the center of the page. The dark-blue upper portion corresponds to content-heavy work, the lighter lower portion corresponds to content-light work, and the large numeric callouts anchor the split between the two groups.
Main takeaway from the visual
The chart shows that most of the time burden sits in content-heavy work, so the largest productivity payoff from generative AI comes where drafting, synthesizing, revising, and related content tasks dominate the workflow.
Key standout values or extremes
The total task duration is shown as 185 minutes, with 116 minutes in content-heavy tasks and 69 minutes in content-light tasks, making the content-heavy portion the clear majority of the workload.
Controls / sequence, when applicable
This is a static chart image with no in-chart controls to operate.
Companion media, when applicable
There is no separate companion audio or video; the chart image is the full visual on this page.