Healthcare systems are brimming with innovation, but many find themselves trapped in the dreaded “pilot wasteland.” Promising digital health projects often fail to scale, leaving organisations with wasted resources and unmet expectations. Why does this happen, and how can it be avoided?
The answer lies in a strategic, disciplined approach to evaluating and scaling pilots.
The Problem with Pilots
Healthcare leaders are inundated with new technologies, especially post-pandemic. Startups promise tools that improve patient care, reduce burnout, and enhance competitiveness. The pitch is often hard to resist, many accompanied by free trials or co-development opportunities. Many organisations say, “Let’s try it and see if it works.”
But without alignment to broader goals, many of these pilots never go beyond the testing phase and the absence of clear roadmaps and governance creates a vacuum where these pilots flourish, but rarely deliver value.
Why Pilots Fail to Scale
- Weak Governance
Pilots are often launched without proper governance structures. Without a strong project management office (PMO) to prioritise and oversee initiatives, projects lack direction and alignment. - Scalability Overlooked
Leaders often fail to consider what scaling a successful pilot would involve. Questions about vendor capacity, infrastructure readiness, and operational impacts are critical yet frequently ignored. - Hesitation to End Underperforming Projects
Healthcare leaders are often reluctant to terminate pilots that show partial success, clinging to the hope that future iterations will deliver value. This indecision drains resources and creates bottlenecks. - Vendor Risks
Many startups lack the capacity or stability to support large-scale deployments. Without a thorough vendor evaluation, organisations risk partnering with companies that can’t deliver at scale.
What Needs to Change?
Avoiding the pilot wasteland requires a shift in mindset and process. Here are some actionable steps to ensure pilots have a real chance to succeed:
- Define the Goal
Every pilot must start with a clear objective. What problem does it solve? How does it support your organisation’s strategy? Without this clarity, success becomes impossible to measure. - Think Scale First
Before launching, ask: What would success look like at scale? Evaluate vendors, infrastructure, and operational impacts upfront to avoid surprises later. - Strengthen Governance
Governance is non-negotiable. A strong PMO can act as a gatekeeper, ensuring that only viable, aligned pilots are pursued. This structure also streamlines decision-making and keeps stakeholders on the same page. - Make Data-Driven Decisions
Set benchmarks for success and evaluate pilots against them. Be prepared to kill projects that aren’t meeting objectives, it’s better to refocus than persist with something that doesn’t deliver. - Demystify AI and Automation
AI is often misunderstood. Treat AI and automation projects as you would any other initiative. Embed them into your standard processes, evaluate them based on outcomes, and ensure they align with organisational goals.