We've experimented, now we need to scale
Moving beyond proof-of-concept through people, purpose, and practical action
You're in good company
If you're finding it difficult to move from successful pilots to enterprise-wide impact, you're experiencing what most organisations face. The research shows that only 8-12% of organisations successfully scale AI, but those that do share common characteristics. The good news? These patterns can be learned and replicated. We're here to help you join them.
successfully scaling multiple AI strategic bets
Accenture, 2024
of organisations now regularly use gen AI
McKinsey, 2024
are "AI Achievers" with competitive advantage
Accenture, 2022
“The challenge now is how to adapt organisational design, capabilities and culture to keep pace. AI optimises brilliantly, but within constraints that you and your teams set.”
Version 1 AI Playbook Guidance
Understanding Where You Are
Experiments often remain isolated pilots because organisations focus on technology deployment rather than the human systems around it.
Accenture's research shows most organisations remain in a "Proof-of-Concept factory" where experiments are siloed and rarely scaled. The organisations that break through - the 12% who become "AI Achievers" - combine strong technical foundations with C-suite sponsorship, talent development, and cultural change.
The path forward isn't about working harder on technology. It's about working smarter on people, purpose, and process.
Only 12% of organisations break through to become "AI Achievers"
REACH
Recognising why and engaging
Recognise
Why AI matters now
Engage
Building the will to change
Acquire
How to change
Capability
Skills to implement
Hold
Sustaining change
Where to Start:
Skills Mapping with SFIA
Before scaling technology, understand your people. The Skills Framework for the Information Age (SFIA) helps you deconstruct roles into skill components, revealing what AI can enhance, what requires human judgment, and where new capabilities are needed.
Deconstruct Roles
Break job roles into discrete skill components and responsibility levels
Score Each Component
Assess which require uniquely human capabilities (empathy, judgment, creativity)
Reconstruct Intelligently
Redesign roles around high-value human work, with AI handling routine tasks
What Success Looks Like
Strategic Alignment
A clear AI strategy connected to departmental objectives—not technology for technology's sake. Work backwards from citizen outcomes and your mission.
Senior Sponsorship
Executive champions who actively remove barriers, secure resources, and visibly model AI adoption. Research shows front-runners are 4x more likely to prioritise cultural adaptation.
High-Impact Use Cases
A prioritised portfolio focused on 2-3 end-to-end workflows rather than scattered disconnected pilots. Concentrate resources where transformation creates most value.
Cultural Readiness
Teams who understand why change is happening and feel genuine desire to participate—not compliance through mandate. Trust is the foundation.
Practical Actions for Your Teams
- Co-create with users: Develop use cases aligned with real workflow challenges, shaped and tested with the people who will use them daily - they hold crucial knowledge
- Start with the 'why': If you've hit a roadblock, go back to basics. "What problem are we solving, and why now?" Clarity of purpose accelerates everything
- Map your skills landscape: Use SFIA to understand current capabilities and identify gaps before investing in technology
- Build your change coalition: Identify AI champions in each function who can bridge technology and business needs, they'll be your multipliers
- Communicate relentlessly: Share early wins and lessons learned to build momentum. Silence breeds uncertainty and resistance
