What is the difference between a pilot and a proof of concept?

POC proves technology works (often with sample data). Pilot proves it works in production with real users and data. POC is technical validation; pilot is operational validation.

How long should a pilot run?

Long enough to learn, short enough to maintain momentum. Typically 4-12 weeks. Consider: time for meaningful data, business cycles to capture, and stakeholder patience. Avoid endless pilots.

What if the pilot fails?

That's valuable learning - pilots should be safe to fail. Analyse why: wrong use case? Technical issues? Change management? Data problems? Use learnings for next attempt or pivot.

How do I choose what to pilot?

Balance: value potential, feasibility, visibility, and learning value. Don't pilot the hardest thing first. Choose something that can succeed and build confidence for bigger initiatives.

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Pilot Project

A small-scale preliminary project used to evaluate feasibility, test approaches, and learn before committing to full implementation.

In-Depth Explanation

A pilot project is a controlled, limited implementation used to test an approach before full-scale deployment. In AI, pilots validate that technology works with your data, people, and processes before major investment.

Pilot project characteristics:

Limited scope: Specific use case, team, or geography
Time-bound: Defined duration (typically 4-12 weeks)
Clear objectives: What must be proven/learned
Success criteria: How decisions will be made
Exit strategies: Plan for pilot end (scale, pivot, or stop)

Pilot design elements:

Representative data and users
Controlled environment for fair testing
Metrics and measurement approach
Feedback collection mechanism
Documentation of learnings

What pilots should prove:

Technical feasibility with your data
User acceptance and adoption
Business value potential
Operational requirements
Integration challenges

Business Context

Pilots reduce risk by proving concepts before major investment. They surface problems when they're cheap to fix and build organisational confidence.

How Clever Ops Uses This

We run AI pilots for Australian businesses to prove value quickly, typically delivering working solutions within 4-8 weeks that inform go/no-go decisions.