Resource Hub

CAO Resources and Practical Guides

A curated library for CAOs and executive operations leaders. Use these resources to build administrative systems, strengthen governance, and prepare for senior leadership roles.

Browse guides Templates and tools

Guides

Essential CAO guides

These guides summarize the most important topics for CAO effectiveness. Use them as a starting point for building internal frameworks or preparing for executive responsibilities.

Role definition and mandate

Clarify how the CAO role fits within the C-suite and how to define scope, authority, and accountability.

Read the CAO definition

Administrative operating model

Build shared services, design decision rights, and establish consistent service delivery across departments.

See operating model tools

Execution cadence guide

Create governance rituals, metrics, and enterprise dashboards to drive execution consistency.

Explore cadence framework

CAO interview prep

Prepare for executive interviews with leadership narratives, case prompts, and operational impact stories.

Go to career prep

Cadence

Execution cadence framework

The CAO sets the rhythm for administrative execution. This cadence model is a practical framework for executive governance and enterprise delivery.

Weekly

Service delivery reviews, operational metrics, and escalation tracking.

Monthly

Portfolio checkpoints, budget variance analysis, and cross-functional decision forums.

Quarterly

Strategy alignment reviews, risk assessments, and executive stakeholder updates.

Annually

Operating model refresh, resource planning, and long-term roadmap definition.

Templates

CAO templates and tools

These tools help CAOs standardize service delivery and enable consistent execution. Adapt them to the size and complexity of your organization.

Service catalog outline

  • Define services and internal customers.
  • List service owners and delivery metrics.
  • Document SLAs and escalation paths.
Download template

Executive operating dashboard

  • Operational health metrics.
  • Budget and resource utilization.
  • Enterprise risk indicators.
Download metrics list

Operating cadence checklist

  • Weekly service reviews.
  • Monthly portfolio checkpoints.
  • Quarterly strategy alignment.
Download checklist

CAO interview brief

  • Leadership narrative prompts.
  • Operational case topics.
  • Stakeholder alignment questions.
Download brief

Turn resources into action

Pair these frameworks with the skills and career guides to build a complete CAO playbook.

Explore CAO skills