After much time and effort is spent on the design, build, and test of a software application, it is crucial to ensure the development lifecycle finishes with a smooth implementation. Introducing a pilot implementation to the development lifecycle is a reliable means of validating the implementation approach and reducing risk prior to full implementation.

More to Come… This is first in a series of Info-Tech Advisor research notes that will explore the definition, planning, and implementation of application pilots.

A pilot implementation can be thought of as a dress rehearsal for full application deployment. Executing a pilot allows the project team to preview the processes that are required for full implementation on a smaller scale. It takes place prior to full implementation and, ideally, is executed under production-like conditions. Using a pilot user group, a pilot implementation mimics full implementation as closely as is possible. The settings, scenarios, and user interactions of full implementation are verified with the pilot user group.