Preparing the published article.
Pilot Projects as a Selection Tool
A pilot is the cheapest way to test a supplier.
Designing a useful pilot
| Element | Guidance |
|---|---|
| Scope | One process, one product, one shift |
| Duration | Long enough to see variation, not one good day |
| Measures | Cycle time, quality, interventions and downtime |
| Ownership | Who supplies the equipment and who pays |
| Exit | How the trial ends and what happens to the data |
Making the decision count
- Agree the pass criteria before the pilot starts.
- Record the bad days as carefully as the good ones.
- Treat pilot results as evidence, not as a commitment to buy.
Pilot terms are commercial and legal matters. Agree them in writing before equipment arrives.