What to take into your next project
- Test one business question with real inputs.
- Compare the result with an agreed baseline.
- Use the findings to scope production.
A defined business question.
Be specific about the task and the intended improvement. A proof of concept should show whether AI can help this workflow with the available information, rather than simply demonstrate that a model can generate text.
Real inputs and difficult examples.
Use representative records and include exceptions. Review the output with people who understand the work. Record where the system needs more context, a clearer rule or a human decision.
An agreed way to compare the result.
Compare quality, preparation time and review effort against the existing process. Keep a record of the test examples and the result. That evidence helps decide whether to change the approach, expand the scope or stop.
A clear path to production.
Identify remaining integration, permissions, monitoring and support work. A useful proof informs the production scope; it does not mean every operational requirement is already complete.