When AI Is Meant to Be More Than Just Pilot Projects: How to Turn Tools into True Transformation

Many companies are already using initial AI solutions. But real transformation only happens when isolated initiatives evolve into a cohesive, impactful approach.

Generative AI (GenAI) has made its way into the enterprise. Tools are in place, pilot projects have been launched, and use cases identified. Many organizations are underway. Early successes are visible – yet so is growing uncertainty. Because feasibility and real impact are not the same. 

Pilot projects offer valuable impulses, but often the next step is missing: lasting change. Isolated solutions remain disconnected. What's lacking is a unifying concept that thinks of AI at the enterprise level and embeds it in a structured way. 

To unlock the full potential of AI, companies need more than just technology. What matters is an integrated approach that aligns strategy, organization, and culture. Only when these layers work together does AI become more than just another tool – it becomes the driver of real transformation. 

The time for testing is over. Now it's about making an impact.

There’s no shortage of ideas for how to use AI – from automated customer service to smart sales support and the analysis of complex data. But isolated projects aren't enough. What's often missing are clear accountabilities, decision-making structures, and a shared vision. Who decides how a use case evolves? How are business units, IT, and governance effectively aligned? And how can organizations move beyond process optimization to rethink how they work and think? 

This is where practice shows what truly matters. 

Experience from 300+ projects: Impact is no coincidence

Across more than 300 AI initiatives, we’ve supported companies of all sizes and industries. A clear pattern has emerged: Success is not about choosing the right tool, it's about the ability to evolve structures, processes, and people in a targeted way. 

These five success factors have proven especially effective:

Clear leadership and accountability

Successful companies actively involve top management in their AI transformation. Roles and responsibilities are clearly defined, and decisions are made consistently. Leaders model the new way of working in human-AI collaboration and build trust in the transformation.

Enablement with substance

Training alone isn’t enough. Employees need real-life environments, concrete tasks, and the opportunity to experiment with GenAI-supported work in a safe space. Effective enablement is tailored, ongoing, and closely tied to real-world practice.

Frameworks over rigid rules

Strong governance provides orientation without stifling innovation. Standards are essential – but not an end in themselves. They should preserve flexibility and foster further development. Central units like a Center of Excellence create consistency, pool expertise, and encourage cross-team exchange.

Rethinking processes

AI does not thrive in legacy workflows. Simply digitizing the status quo wastes potential. It takes courage to redesign: identifying relevant processes, enhancing them with AI, and embedding them in holistic workflows. This not only creates more efficiency but also new forms of collaboration.

Strategic use case management

Use case selection and scaling must not be left to chance. What’s needed is a structured process – from initial idea and evaluation to long-term implementation. Successful companies manage their portfolio of AI use cases proactively, prioritize based on strategic value, and promote scalable solutions.

The next evolution: AI agents as team members

Organizations that activate these five levers lay the foundation for a new kind of human-AI collaboration. GenAI is no longer limited to isolated applications. Increasingly, AI agents take on autonomous tasks, make decisions based on defined goals, and interact with systems and people. They are no longer just tools – they act as digital team members, integrated into processes and contributing to daily operations. 

The next level is the use of networked AI agents. These agents don’t just act on external prompts, they coordinate independently, initiate workflows on their own, and take over entire process chains. The foundation: a shared goal that guides their actions. For such agent systems to work effectively and reliably, technology alone isn’t enough. What's needed is an organizational framework that defines responsibilities, embraces new leadership models, and ensures sound governance. 

How we support organizations

The introduction of AI agents transforms more than just technology. It also reshapes collaboration, roles, and responsibilities. This is exactly where Campana & Schott comes in. Our strength lies in integrating AI into existing structures while creating space for new ways of working. 

We support organizations in developing a company-wide target vision, establishing robust governance structures, and upskilling interdisciplinary teams. Business units, IT, and leadership are strategically connected. And our experience from 300+ AI projects confirms: True impact emerges when strategy, technology, and organization come together. 

Our workshops

Microsoft Copilot Studio Vision & Value Workshop

Discover how you can create your own agents for special use cases with Microsoft Copilot Studio.

Looking to move from GenAI pilots to a strategic resource?

Let’s talk. Together, we’ll take the next step in your AI transformation – structured, impactful, and future-ready.

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Contact

Sven Hausen

Associate Partner | Transformation of Work

Marco Heid

Principal | Head of Content & Collaboration