How to scope a useful first automation pilot
Define the production problem, operating conditions and acceptance criteria before selecting technology.
Name the production problem
Start with a specific issue: repeated manual entry, inconsistent inspection records or limited visibility into downtime. State who needs the information or assistance and what decision should improve. A pilot needs a business purpose that can be observed.
Define the boundaries
Choose one process or machine and list its interfaces, operating conditions and data requirements. Agree who will own operation, maintenance and support. Include operator training and a practical fallback in the plan.
Agree how success will be assessed
Write acceptance criteria before choosing equipment. Compare the pilot with a recorded baseline using measures relevant to the original problem. Review reliability, usability and support needs as well as performance before committing to wider rollout.
Further reading: NIST MEP: Manufacturing Best Practices
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