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Summary

3rd Commandment

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DO TOO MUCH AT ONCE.
KEEP THE PILOT SIMPLE.

If you were driving a car for the first time, would you also attempt to drive it through a hoop of fire while blindfolded? Why then do so many companies attempt to build every possible solution into their pilot? They overly complicate the solution with a grand master plan that encompasses multiple integrated applications. A noble idea, but a pilot should be positioned for success or else it will fail, and the rollout will never take place. To accomplish this, you need to have a short list of well-defined, easily achieved goals (i.e.: “low hanging fruit”) and a clear plan to achieve these goals.

For instance, assuming you’ve already done your homework in the field, your plan might go like this:

• Develop a laptop image based upon a limited set of simple tools.

• Determine requirements for training and design curriculum.

• Establish support procedures.

• Deploy laptops.

• Train on Windows 98 basics.

• Train on Microsoft Office basics.

• Train on email and Internet basics.

• Introduce simple contact management.

• Introduce sales letter library for correspondence.

• Measure results after six months and refine solution.

Unfortunately, most people do not think like this. Rather they go to the opposite extreme looking for ways to integrate every stand-alone application under one umbrella. While there is some logic to this approach, we suggest you show some restraint during the early phases of the project, and take baby steps. Attempting to run before you learn how to walk could cause you to stumble and lose the race.