What should a small paid pilot prove before a larger rollout?

Choose a narrow operating and commercial question. A pilot might verify that the team can deliver the intended workflow, or explore whether a customer situation attracts qualified interest. Those are different success criteria and need different evidence.

State the scope, observation window, limitations and expansion decision before launch. A short pilot may reveal a serious friction point without estimating long-term acquisition economics. Report that learning honestly instead of forcing every pilot into a binary success story.