# Pilot Phase

> The pilot phase is the staged build of a working AI system on a narrow, real workflow with real data, evaluated against success criteria agreed in discovery.

Category: Methodology
Source: https://impetora.com/glossary/pilot-phase
Part of: Impetora AI consulting glossary (https://impetora.com/glossary)

## What is Pilot Phase?

A pilot is not a demo. It runs on production-shape data, produces auditable outputs, and is measured by the same metrics that will govern the live system. A typical pilot lasts 4-8 weeks and ends with a decision: promote, iterate, or stop. The pilot phase de-risks both technical assumptions and organisational fit before larger investment.

## How does Pilot Phase apply to enterprise AI?

Enterprise AI procurement increasingly insists on a paid pilot before a long-term contract. The pilot is the cheapest insurance against shipping a system that does not survive contact with real users.

## Related terms

- [Discovery Phase](https://impetora.com/glossary/discovery-phase) - The discovery phase is the first stage of an AI engagement, in which scope, data, workflows, success criteria, and constraints are mapped before any system is built.
- [Production Phase](https://impetora.com/glossary/production-phase) - The production phase is the deployment, operation, and continuous improvement of an AI system in live use, with the controls and monitoring required for the workflow's risk class.
- [Evaluation Harness](https://impetora.com/glossary/evaluation-harness) - An evaluation harness is the test framework used to measure an AI system against a fixed set of inputs, expected outputs, and metrics, run on every change.
- [TRACE Methodology](https://impetora.com/glossary/trace-methodology) - TRACE is Impetora's four-pillar methodology for delivering enterprise AI in regulated industries: Trust, Readiness, Architecture, Citations.

## External references

- [Impetora methodology](https://impetora.com/methodology)

---

Impetora is a custom AI consultancy and solutions partner for enterprises in regulated industries. Submit a project at https://impetora.com/intake.