ThePilot phaseis the stage in the automation implementation strategy where organizations focus onquick winsandlow-hanging fruits—those automation opportunities that areeasy to implement,carry minimal risk, and candeliver immediate, visible value. These processes typically havelow complexitybuthigh impact, such as frequent, repetitive, rules-based tasks.

The purpose of the Pilot phase is to build early momentum, validate the chosen automation tools and methodology, and createinternal success stories. These successes help establish credibility for the automation program, gain stakeholder trust, and generate enthusiasm for further automation expansion.

By starting with manageable and well-scoped automations, teams can also fine-tune their implementation practices, identify potential pitfalls, and standardize governance and documentation practices for future waves. These learnings serve as afoundationfor scaling automation in subsequent phases such as the second and third waves, which typically involve more complex or cross-functional processes.

Skipping or mismanaging the Pilot phase can lead to early failures, resistance, and slow adoption. Therefore, it is essential to choose this phase's automation candidates carefully based onbusiness valueandease of implementation.