When you need to validate an approach before a full build, a proof of concept or pilot is the right step. We build a working prototype or a limited-scope version of the solution so you can test it with real data and real users (or internal stakeholders). Typical duration is one to three months; typical investment is $75K to $175K. The goal is to de-risk the full build by answering key questions: Does the approach work? Does it integrate with your systems? Do users or operations accept it? Once the pilot is done, you can decide to scale, iterate, or stop with minimal sunk cost.
What you get
You get a working system that proves the concept. That might be an ML model and pipeline running on a subset of your data with clear metrics (accuracy, latency, explainability). It might be an API or integration that connects two or three systems and demonstrates the flow. It might be an automation workflow that handles one process end to end. You also get a report or handoff that summarizes what was built, what was learned, and what we recommend for the next phase (scale, iterate, or no go). We document the work so that if you proceed to a full build, you are not starting from scratch.
Typical scope
A typical pilot includes: defined success criteria (what would make this a go or no go); a working prototype or limited deployment; integration with your data or systems where needed; testing and validation with your team; and a recommendation for next steps. We align on scope and success criteria up front so there are no surprises. We do not use pilots as loss leaders; we charge fairly and we are transparent about what is and is not in scope.
Who this is for
This engagement is for organizations that have already done some discovery (or have a clear idea of the problem) and want to validate the solution before committing to a full build. You may be considering ML, a new integration, or an automation and want to see it work before you invest in production-grade build-out. The pilot gives you evidence and confidence so that when you go to the board or the budget holder, you have something to show. It also gives us a chance to work together and align on quality, pace, and communication before a larger engagement.
Next step
Book a discovery call. We will discuss your goal and whether a pilot is the right next step. If it is, we will propose a scope, timeline, and price. We can also run a short discovery first if you are not yet sure what to pilot.