Start with the decision or task
A broad ambition to ‘use AI’ does not define value. A specific task does: classify an incoming request, summarise a controlled document set, support a specialist with relevant knowledge or identify a pattern that deserves review.
Design the surrounding process
The model is only one component. Useful operation also needs data quality, access rules, human review, exception handling, monitoring and a clear response when the system is uncertain.
- Define acceptable and unacceptable outputs
- Name the human owner
- Make source material and data boundaries visible
- Test against a real operational baseline
Earn the right to scale
A pilot should prove that the complete process is safer, clearer or more effective—not merely that a model can produce an impressive demonstration.