Top five factors to successfully transitioning from a pilot project to operating at scale I learned from scaling global geospatial operations for Microsoft Bing Maps:
1: A Clearly Communicated Vision
It’s okay to run a pilot without a rock solid idea of how the project fits into broader objectives.
However, this becomes critical when scaling to not only ensure resources aren’t wasted, but more importantly to rally and motivate your growing team around a common goal.
2: Org Structure
With small dedicated and reliable teams running pilots, it’s often better to have loose org structures.
But once you start scaling, it’s critical for newcomers to know where they fit in, who they can go to for guidance, and how they can advance.
3: Standard Operating Procedures
Pilot projects aren’t just for providing proof of concept. It’s vital to adequately document operating procedures during this phase so when it comes time to scale you can onboard, train, and deploy resources efficiently.
Moreover, while it’s a great idea to allow operator discretion and innovation within guidelines, it’s imperative to have a repeatable process uniformly applied to ensure reliable outcomes at scale.
4: Cross Functional Alignment
Pilot projects often benefit from rag tag teams testing out new ways to work together. While you should always be testing better ways to work, efficient production at scale requires smooth handoffs between functional teams.
To achieve this, it’s important to augment your org structure with workflow diagrams and regular team gatherings so your team not only knows how their function fits into the bigger picture, but understands the inputs/outputs of other functions so they can support their upstream and downstream counterparts.
5: Equipment Management
Pilots are often short term and limited in scope, meaning less demands on hardware and other assets.
Successfully operating at scale requires a host of equipment challenges including procurement, deployment, maintenance, troubleshooting, upgrading, and replacing/retiring. Failure to plan for this could not only result in massive unexpected expenses, but your team left dead in the water.
What am I missing?
#operations #geospatial #geospatialtechnology #operatingatscale #geospatialoperations
