Pilot

Test in real conditions, not controlled demos.

Why this Phase exists

The Pilot phase focuses on learning fast with limited risk. Teams deploy AI capabilities in constrained environments to validate assumptions, understand adoption dynamics, and surface operational friction.

Successful pilots are not judged solely by technical performance, but by how well they integrate into real workflows and decision-making processes.

Pilots that do not explicitly prepare for operationalization often stall or die after initial success.

Where this phase fits in the journey

Discover
You are here
Pilot
You are here
IOC
You are here
FOC
You are here
Scale
You are here

Frameworks for this phase

AI Altitude Model

AAM

The AI Altitude Model (AAM) is a staged operating framework that helps organizations understand where they are in their AI adoption journey and what is required to safely progress from experimentation to full operational control and sustained value realization.

Explore Framework

Flight Crew Operating System

FC-OS

The end-to-end operating system that governs how organizations discover, deploy, adopt, and scale AI.

Explore Framework

AI Adoption Operating Model

AAM

A structured model that maps AI initiatives from experimentation to sustained operational impact.

Explore Framework

Opportunity Mapping

FC-OM

A structured method for identifying and prioritizing AI opportunities tied to real value pools.

Explore Framework

Commander’s Intent

CI

A clear articulation of intent that aligns teams without prescribing tactics.

Explore Framework

OODA Loop

OODA

A continuous decision loop to observe, orient, decide, and act on AI performance in real operations.

Explore Framework

Operational Viability Index

OV

A composite index that measures whether an AI initiative is ready to operate sustainably.

Explore Framework

Champions Program

CHAMP

A structured network of internal champions that drive adoption inside the business.

Explore Framework

Briefings to master this phase: 

How you know you're in this phase

  • One or more AI use cases are approved for real-world testing
  • A pilot team is identified with business ownership, not just technical sponsorship
  • Data access and tooling are sufficient to support limited production use
  • Leadership expects learning, not certainty

What must be true to move forward

  • The pilot demonstrates measurable operational or financial signal
  • Users actively engage with the solution outside of demos
  • Failure modes, limitations, and adoption barriers are clearly documented
  • A decision is made to either advance, revise, or stop the initiative