Guide · Agentic AI
A checklist for your first AI agent pilot
Most agent pilots stall because nobody defined success, data access or an off switch. A one-page checklist fixes that.
In short: A first AI agent pilot should cover one process with one accountable owner, a written list of what data the agent may read and change, a way to switch it off, and success measured in time saved and error rate. Most stalled pilots skipped at least one of these.
Agent pilots often start with an impressive demo and then stall. The reasons are usually the same: no clear owner, unclear data access, no agreed measure of success. This checklist can be agreed on one page before any build begins.
Scope
- One process. Choose a single, frequent, rule-bound process, such as triaging service tickets or checking documents for completeness.
- One owner. Name the business owner who will review the agent's work and decide whether the pilot continues.
- A fixed period. Six to eight weeks of production use is usually enough to judge results.
Data and permissions
- Read access. List exactly which systems and fields the agent may read.
- Write access. List which actions it may take on its own and which need approval. Start with none on its own.
- Logging. Record every input, decision and action so any result can be traced.
Safety
- An off switch. Agree who can stop the agent and how the process continues manually.
- Exception handling. Decide what the agent does when it is unsure: it should hand over to a person, not guess.
Measurement
- A baseline. Measure today's time per case and error rate before the pilot starts.
- Real measures. Compare time saved, error rate and the share of cases a human had to correct. Do not judge the pilot on demos.
After the pilot
If the numbers hold up, expand in small steps: more volume, then more autonomy for the lowest-risk categories, then a second process. If they do not, the logs will show whether the problem was the process, the data or the model.
Frequently asked questions
How long should an AI agent pilot run?
Typically six to eight weeks of real production use, after a short setup period, is enough to measure time saved and error rates.
What is the best first process for an AI agent?
A frequent, rule-bound task with digital inputs and a clear correct answer, such as ticket triage, document checks or invoice matching.
Should an AI agent be allowed to act on its own in a pilot?
Start with the agent proposing actions for human approval. Allow automatic actions only for low-risk cases once error rates are proven.