Designing and Running an Impactful Pilot Project: Laying the Groundwork

Designing and Running an Impactful Pilot Project

Two workshops for anyone wishing to understand more about starting a pilot project.

1. Laying the Groundwork (Mon 22 Sep 18:00)
2. Experiments into Outcomes (Mon 20 Oct 18:00)

Who are these workshops for?

This masterclass is designed for anyone who has recently developed a new solution (high to low-tech) and is now ready to test it in the real world. This may include:

• SMEs
• Charities
• Local Authorities
• Universities
• Design Agencies/Consultancies

If you’ve moved beyond prototype and want to structure, run and learn from a pilot project, this workshop is for you.

Why attend?

Pilots are your first opportunity to validate assumptions, uncover hidden challenges and build the evidence you need to secure stakeholder buy-in, funding and scale. Across two hands-on sessions, you’ll learn how to craft a clear Theory of Change, set SMART objectives and technology readiness targets, and draft a “pilot charter” that defines scope, timeline, KPIs and participant profiles. We’ll also explore frameworks for levels of evidence and innovation methods to distinguish correlation from causation.

In Session 2 we’ll discuss data collection - combining quantitative metrics with qualitative feedback - and build feedback loops that drive rapid iteration. Through practical exercises you’ll write testable hypotheses, design simple A/B or pre-/post studies, and outline a data & iteration blueprint to guide your next steps. By the end, you’ll leave with concrete artifacts and a replicable process to run pilots that generate reliable learning and pave the way to successful scale-up.

Laying the Groundwork (Session 1 of 2)

We’ll kick off with a deep dive into the Theory of Change model, then break into teams to sketch your own one-page TOC to inform your pilot. Next, learn how to translate outcomes into clear objectives and SMART metrics. Finally, you’ll draft an individual “pilot charter” that spells out your scope, timeline, key performance indicators and target user cohort - giving you a ready-to-use blueprint for your pilot.

Your Facilitator

Nick Turner is an independent digital innovation consultant, working at the intersection of technology, people, and place, using digital infrastructure and data to drive innovation in cities. Nick is an experienced test and learn specialist, working with ambitious institutions and SMEs to design pilots for new products and services that create evidence, align stakeholders and support growth.

Nick brings together a background in product and service design, deep domain knowledge in tech (IoT, AI, Population Health) and a toolkit to enable sustainable scaling, impact measurement and inclusive innovation. Nick previously led on digital innovation at QEOPID - an east London focused innovation agency using the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park as a testbed for new technologies, and has led innovation and development teams across consultancies and large tech firms.

At CiviLabs Consult, Nick works with innovative organisations to utilise ‘test and learn’ methodologies, data, and design thinking to pilot new approaches to driving measurable impact in cities and for their residents. His core services include:

Digital Innovation ConsultingDesigning pilot exercises and adoption roadmaps for new digital solutions to support rapid experiment-based innovation trials with corporate, academic and local government partners.

Strategic and Service Design

Design Impact frameworks to measure and evaluate the success of new products and services to support scaling and procurement

Apply human-centred design to urban systems and services, guiding stakeholder alignment, iterative prototyping and go-to-market strategies for scalable city and community-focused products.

Data & Infrastructure Strategy

Advise on data-sharing architectures, inclusive governance models and analytics to enable proactive, place-based interventions and responsible tech adoption.

SPACE4 Masterclasses

SPACE4 is part of Outlandish, a tech worker-cooperative committed to creating social and economic change. Through SPACE4, we activate our local community, small business, and social movements through affordable space, training, and networking events.

This workshop is part of an ongoing programme of masterclasses to upskill our network and community in Islington and beyond.

Don’t hesitate to get in touch or visit us.

The £5 charge on this event is a deposit that will be refunded if you attend. The reason behind this is to assure bums on the seats as we spend a lot of time prepping for these events and workshops. If you’re unable to pay contact natasha@outlandish.com for free registration.

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