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SIGNAL #002Published: 4/24/2026
Pilot-to-Production Purgatory
Signal #002: Pilot-to-Production Purgatory
structural riskP&L: ModerateConstraint: IT / OpsSignal: Stagnating
Executive Brief
High-cost AI pilots frequently fail in production due to legacy API latency and unmeasured workflow friction. Use this protocol to kill theoretical lab models before they burn operational capital.
Questions to Consider
- “Can this model handle our legacy API response times under peak load?”
- “Which specific frontline roles are impacted, and have they signed off on the workflow change?”
Expected Excuses
- It works perfectly in the sandbox environment.
- We will figure out the legacy integration once it's deployed.
Executive Script
Tell your team: 'If it cannot run smoothly on our existing legacy infrastructure by Friday, we are pulling the plug on the pilot.'
The Friction
80% of AI experiments die because they cannot integrate with legacy APAC tech stacks.
The Result: Sunk costs in R&D with zero operational impact.
The Function: The Stress-Test Protocol
Discovery Tags:#LegacyIntegration#OperationalEfficiency
SOP
The Stress-Test Protocol
Tier 1: Data Integrity
Real-world Noise | Legacy API Latency
Tier 2: TOM Alignment
Headcount Impact | Workflow Friction
Green: Seamless API
Yellow: Data Cleaning
Red: Stop
Strategic Constraint
IT / Ops
P&L Impact
Moderate
Signal Strength
Stagnating