How to Pick Pilots That Become Programs

In industrial digitalization, most pilots never scale. The difference between a demo and a transformation lies in problem selection, measurable ROI, and repeatability.

1. Choose Pilots with Clear Ownership

Pick use cases where one team owns the process — maintenance, quality, or logistics — not cross-functional dependencies that slow feedback.

2. Measure Something That Matters

Define success in financial or operational terms before you start: reduced scrap, faster changeovers, or fewer unplanned stops. Avoid vanity metrics like “data points collected.”

3. Design for Repeatability

• Use standard hardware and communication protocols (OPC UA, MQTT).
• Document configuration and lessons learned during the pilot.
• Plan from day one for integration into other lines or plants.

4. Example

A tire manufacturer piloted an AI vision inspection system on one line. With clear ROI and reusable architecture, it rolled out to four sites within 9 months.

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• Change Management for Operators: Training That Sticks

Conclusion

The best pilot is one that scales. Start with ownership, measure ROI, and build with standard, repeatable components to turn innovation into impact.