Your First Pilot: Keep It Simple

Your First Pilot: Keep It Simple

Recently, I had the pleasure to sit down with a group of first-time founders. Their energy was off the charts. You could see it in their eyes when they were talking about the problem they are trying to solve and how their app/platform/workflow, etc. will solve it. And every single one was looking to start their first pilot. But when I asked if they were “pilot ready” their eyes glazed over and it reminded me of the story of the dog chasing the car then asking, now what…

Pilots fail when teams rush in without structure. Before you sign that agreement, make sure you’re truly pilot-ready:

·       Know the problem you solve
Be clear on the pain point and why it matters to your partner.

·       Define success upfront
Pick 2–3 measurable outcomes. Avoid vague goals like “improve workflow.”

·       Be operationally prepared
Have a working product, support plan, and quick response process.

·       Get stakeholder buy-in
One champion isn’t enough. Secure clinical, IT, and finance alignment.

·       Ensure mutual commitment
Both sides should invest time and resources. Free pilots often stall.

Pilot readiness isn’t about speed—it’s about discipline. A strong start builds trust and accelerates scale.