We've seen dozens of AI pilots fail at growing companies. The failures follow predictable patterns. Here's how to avoid wasting months and budget on AI projects that go nowhere.
Mistake #1: Starting with "AI Strategy" Instead of a Problem
Companies that fail often start with "we need an AI strategy" instead of "we have this specific problem that's costing us money."
What works: Start with a concrete pain point. "Our sales team spends 30% of their time on research and proposals" is actionable. "We want to be AI-forward" is not.
Mistake #2: Picking Technology Before Understanding the Problem
"We want to use [latest AI tool]" is backwards. Different problems need different solutions. Sometimes the best answer is Claude. Sometimes it's GPT. Sometimes it's a specialized tool. Sometimes it's not AI at all.
What works: Be tool-agnostic. Let the problem dictate the solution, not the hype cycle.
Mistake #3: The Endless Pilot
We see companies stuck in "exploration mode" for 6+ months. They're testing, evaluating, building POCs—but never shipping anything that creates real value.
What works: Commit to a 6-8 week timeline with clear success metrics. Ship something real to real users, measure it, iterate. Endless exploration is just expensive procrastination.
Mistake #4: No Executive Sponsor
AI projects die when they're nobody's priority. Without executive sponsorship, you get: no budget when you need it, no political cover for change, no urgency to deliver.
What works: Have a named executive who owns the outcome and can remove blockers.
Mistake #5: Ignoring Change Management
The best AI implementation fails if people don't use it. We've seen companies deploy amazing tools that gathered dust because nobody trained users or addressed their concerns.
What works: Budget time for training, documentation, and ongoing support. Identify champions in each team who can help drive adoption.
The Bottom Line
Successful AI implementation is 30% technology and 70% change management. The companies that win are the ones that pick real problems, move fast, and invest in adoption.