If you are a leader who wants to introduce major change in your organization — a new technology, process, system, product, partnership, or the like — you’ve probably been advised to construct a pilot project. Its purpose, of course, is to reduce the risk of failure across the entire organization by testing the idea in a small, controlled setting so that you can further refine your solution before you roll it out.
How to Scale a Successful Pilot Project
Challenge teams to continue building on successful experiments.
January 08, 2021
Summary.
While launching and then scaling a pilot is a well-established approach to innovation, there is plenty of evidence that shows that even successful pilot projects often don’t lead to successful scaled implementations. Based on the authors’ many years of consulting on large-scale organizational change, they suggest a better approach to scaling successful pilots. Rather than requiring that new teams replicate the pilot exactly, share with them what you’ve learned from the pilot and then challenge them to find their own solutions that could work as well — or better — in their own contexts.
New!
HBR Learning
Innovation and Creativity Course
Accelerate your career with Harvard ManageMentor®. HBR Learning’s online leadership training helps you hone your skills with courses like Innovation and Creativity. Earn badges to share on LinkedIn and your resume. Access more than 40 courses trusted by Fortune 500 companies.
Unlock your team's curiosity and willingness to take smart risks.
Learn More & See All Courses
New!
HBR Learning
Innovation and Creativity Course
Accelerate your career with Harvard ManageMentor®. HBR Learning’s online leadership training helps you hone your skills with courses like Innovation and Creativity. Earn badges to share on LinkedIn and your resume. Access more than 40 courses trusted by Fortune 500 companies.
Unlock your team's curiosity and willingness to take smart risks.