Introduce a controlled pilot.
One well-defined, low-risk, measurable pilot — not broad experimentation. Choose the workflow, design the pilot, define how you'll measure it, and document what actually happened.
Why Controlled Pilots Build Confidence
The case for starting with one well-defined pilot rather than broad experimentation, and why this approach builds lasting organizational trust.
Choose the Right Starting Point
Use the Workflow_Evaluation_Checklist.pdf guide in the next lesson to identify a safe and practical starting point for your AI pilot. Review the guide before watching the next lesson. Before continuing: focus on repetitive, low-risk work, avoid complex or high-impact processes, choose something measurable and reversible.
Download the Workflow Evaluation Checklist →Identifying Safe Pilot Opportunities
Evaluate potential pilot candidates against your guardrails and risk tiers to identify the highest-value, lowest-risk starting point.
Use the AI Capability Pilot Builder
Use the AI Capability Pilot Builder to turn your selected workflow into a structured pilot plan with scope, risk tier, guardrails, success metrics, ownership, and an executive-ready summary. This tool supports the planning work you will refine in the next lessons. It does not replace leadership review, policy review, or internal approval. The AI Capability Pilot Builder opens in a new window and does not store or transmit any information. Be sure to print or save your pilot plan for internal use.
Open the AI Capability Pilot Builder →Designing a Controlled Pilot
Define the boundaries, participants, tools, and timeline for your pilot so it remains controlled and measurable.
Define How You Will Measure Impact
Before your pilot begins, define exactly what you will measure and what your baseline is. Open your Capability Dashboard now and navigate to the Pilot Metrics tab. If you haven't downloaded it yet, go back to the Stage 1 "Download Your Capability Dashboard" lesson before continuing. Enter your baseline values now — before the pilot starts. You cannot measure impact without a starting point. Before continuing: identify 2–3 metrics that will show whether the pilot worked, enter baseline values in the spreadsheet, confirm metrics are observable and comparable.
← Back to Stage 1 for the Capability DashboardDefining Success Metrics
Complete your success metrics documentation so your team agrees on what a successful pilot looks like before it begins.
Coordinating Skill Alignment
An optional training layer for organizations that need to build foundational AI skills before or during the pilot phase.
Confirm Your Pilot Before Moving Forward
Use the AI_Pilot_Approval_Two_Pager.docx document in the next lesson for your pilot and confirm it is stable before proceeding. Review the document before watching the next lesson. Before continuing: confirm scope and guardrails are clear, validate risks are understood, ensure alignment with leadership.
Download the AI Pilot Approval Two-Pager →Stage 2 Check-In
A mid-rollout reflection to assess pilot progress, identify blockers, and calibrate your path into Stage 3.
AI Pilot Results Summary
Complete this document after your Stage 2 pilot concludes. Use the AI Pilot Results Summary to capture what actually happened during your controlled pilot — what the metrics showed, what worked, what didn't, and whether leadership agrees you're ready to scale. Before moving to Stage 3, this document should be complete and signed off by a decision-maker. Download the template below, fill it out, and present it in your leadership conversation. The outcome — Scale, Pause & Refine, or Stop — must be documented before you proceed.
Download the AI Pilot Results Summary →