Here's a riddle: What do you call a technology pilot that's been "tested" for and still hasn't taken off?
Answer: In Purgatory. Which is About 84% of industrial IoT projects, apparently.
The Great Pilot Paradox
Picture this scene playing out:
An excited vendor demonstrates their latest gadget.
Your team nods enthusiastically.
Someone suggests a "pilot program” in the form of simply handing someone a device to “figure it out”
Fast-forward 6 months, and that same technology is gathering dust on a shelf somewhere, having joined the ranks of what McKinsey calls "pilot purgatory" where 84% of companies find themselves stuck in pilot mode for over a year, and 28% for over two years.
But here's the twist that would make M. Night Shyamalan proud:
The technology isn’t the problem. The problem isn't the pilot.
It's that the pilot needs a pilot.
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The "Here, Test This" Phenomenon
We see it constantly. An employee gets handed a piece of hardware or software and told to "test it out."
No clear objectives.
No success metrics.
No understanding of what problem they're actually trying to solve.
It's like being handed the keys to a Boeing 747 and told to "see if it flies" without any flight training, destination, or flight plan.
The Anatomy of Pilot Purgatory
The Handoff Horror Show: "Bob from IT, meet Sally from Operations. Sally, here's this connected sensor thing. Bob will set it up. Figure out if it's useful."
The Metrics Mirage: Success gets defined as "Does it work?" instead of "Does it solve an actual issue?"
The Scope Creep Spiral: What started as a simple temperature monitoring test somehow becomes an attempt to revolutionize the entire factory floor.
The Integration Nightmare: The complexities of IT/OT technology are genuinely difficult to tackle, especially because for most companies, the connecting of IT and OT have inherent issues.
Why Even Boeing Pilots Need Flight Training
Let's be honest if commercial airline pilots need extensive training, co-pilots, air traffic control, and detailed flight plans to safely operate aircraft, why do we think industrial technology pilots can succeed without similar guidance?
Your pilot program isn't just testing technology; it's navigating complex organizational dynamics, integration challenges, change management, and business outcome validation. That requires expertise, not just enthusiasm.
The Missing Flight Plan
Successful pilots (the airplane kind) don't just wing it. They follow established protocols:
Pre-Flight Planning: Clear objectives, success metrics, and defined outcomes
Navigation Systems: Technology roadmaps that align with business strategy
Air Traffic Control: Cross-functional coordination and communication
Co-Pilot Support: Subject matter expertise and guidance throughout the journey
Landing Strategy: Defined path from pilot to production scaling
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Your Digital Sherpa Solution
This is exactly why the Digital Sherpa concept exists. Just as mountain climbers need experienced guides to navigate treacherous terrain, your technology pilots need experienced guides to navigate the complex landscape of industrial innovation.
A Digital Sherpa doesn't just hand you technology and wish you luck. They:
Ready to Navigate the Noise?
Your next technology pilot doesn't have to join the 75% that never take off. But it needs more than good intentions and enthusiasm. It needs expert guidance.
The technology landscape is filled with promise and pitfalls. The vendor promises are endless. The integration challenges are real. The organizational dynamics are complex.
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That's exactly the noise our Digital Sherpas help you navigate.
Instead of hoping your next pilot will somehow be different, why not ensure it succeeds from day one? Our Digital Sherpas specialize in transforming technology experiments into business outcomes, guiding you through every step from initial planning to successful scaling.
Ready to give your pilots the pilot they need? Let's chart a course from confusion to clarity, from pilot purgatory to production success.
Contact our Digital Sherpas today and discover how proper guidance can transform your technology pilots from science experiments into strategic advantages.
Because in the world of industrial technology, the best pilots are those with experienced navigators by their side.