Sales Pilot Template

1. Sign up for Dock for free.
2. Create a new workspace and select the Sales Pilot Template.
3. Customize it by defining success metrics, key stakeholders, and milestones.
4. Save it as a reusable template for future pilots.
5. Share it with your buyer’s team to collaborate in real-time.
6. Track engagement and progress using Dock’s built-in analytics.

Yes, Dock is free to try for up to five workspaces. Every paid Dock plan includes unlimited template and workspace usage.

Yes, you can make a copy of the template and customize it to match your pilot process. You can also adjust each workspace to fit individual client needs.

Yes. Each sales pilot is different, so you can customize success criteria, timelines, and documents to match your client’s evaluation process.

Yes, you can keep templates private or share them with your team. Dock allows you to control template visibility and access permissions to ensure consistency across deals.

A sales pilot plan is a structured framework for testing a product or service with a prospective customer before a full commitment. It outlines key success criteria, milestones, and responsibilities to ensure a smooth evaluation process. A well-managed sales pilot increases the likelihood of conversion by providing measurable proof of value.

A proof of concept (PoC) plan is similar to a sales pilot but is typically used to test feasibility rather than long-term viability. While a sales pilot focuses on real-world use and business impact, a PoC is often a more technical validation of whether a product meets the buyer’s requirements. 

A PoC is usually a smaller, controlled test designed to validate specific functionality before a full-scale pilot or purchase. Dock’s Sales Pilot Template helps manage both processes by keeping all details organized and trackable.

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• Pilot objectives – Clear goals for the evaluation process.
• Success criteria – Metrics that define whether the pilot is successful.
• Timeline and milestones – Key dates for implementation, evaluation, and decision-making.
• Stakeholders – A list of key participants on both the buyer and seller sides.
• Resources and documentation – Training materials, product guides, relevant data, and CRM records to track interactions.
• ‍Next steps – Defined actions for moving from pilot to full adoption, ensuring a smooth transition to an effective sales strategy.

A sales pilot plan is best used when a prospective customer needs hands-on experience before committing to a full purchase. It’s particularly useful for enterprise sales, new market segments, and complex products that require deeper evaluation before rollout.

• Define clear success metrics – Ensure both you and the buyer agree on what success looks like.
• Set realistic timelines – Avoid open-ended pilots by clearly outlining milestones and deadlines.
• Make it easy for buyers – Provide training materials and support to maximize engagement.
• Track engagement and results – Use Dock to see which stakeholders are active and where blockers might arise.
• ‍Align with decision-makers early – Ensure leadership and procurement are involved so the pilot doesn’t stall post-evaluation.

• Lack of clear objectives – A pilot without defined goals is likely to fizzle out. Use Dock to document and share objectives upfront.
• Too many stakeholders, no decision-makers – If your pilot team lacks authority, getting final buy-in will be difficult.
• No follow-up process – Pilots should have a structured wrap-up and next steps. Dock helps keep everything organized in one place.
• ‍Forgetting to track engagement – If buyers aren’t using the workspace, it’s a sign they may not be fully engaged. Dock’s analytics show you who’s interacting with the pilot plan.

• Use Dock to store and manage team-wide pilot templates – Keep everything organized and accessible for all team members.
• Keep internal versions of the plan private for sales team collaboration before sharing with buyers to ensure alignment.
• Assign ownership to key internal stakeholders and team members to ensure alignment on goals and execution.

• Introduce the pilot plan early in discussions to set expectations.
• Use Dock’s workspace link instead of attachments to provide a single source of truth.
• Track buyer engagement with Dock’s analytics to gauge interest and identify any roadblocks.
• Link to the pilot plan from your company website to make it easily accessible for buyers and internal stakeholders.
• Dock’s Sales Pilot Template helps teams structure their pilot process, collaborate with buyers, and turn more pilots into closed deals. Get started today.

The length of a sales pilot depends on the complexity of your product and the buyer’s internal processes. Most pilots run between 30 to 90 days. The key is to set clear success criteria and milestones upfront to keep the pilot from dragging on unnecessarily.

A successful sales pilot is measured by how well it meets the agreed-upon success criteria. Common metrics include user adoption, performance improvements, ROI calculations, and stakeholder feedback. Dock’s engagement tracking helps you monitor buyer activity to gauge interest and potential roadblocks.

Introduce the sales pilot plan early in the sales process—ideally before the pilot begins. Position it as a structured way to ensure both teams are aligned on goals and expected outcomes. With Dock, you can create a shared workspace that makes it easy for buyers to collaborate and track progress.

A sales pilot should involve key decision-makers and end-users on the buyer’s side, as well as sales representatives, customer success, and technical support from your team. It’s also important for sales reps to stay actively engaged, ensuring the pilot meets the needs of each specific customer. Dock allows you to invite all stakeholders to a shared workspace so everyone stays informed.

At the end of a sales pilot, you should conduct a review meeting to assess results, address any concerns, and discuss next steps. If the pilot was successful, move forward with contract negotiations. If there were issues, work with the buyer to resolve them before a full rollout. Dock’s Sales Pilot Template keeps all pilot data in one place, making it easy to present findings and guide the next steps.

• Set clear success criteria and timelines upfront – Avoid open-ended pilots by outlining key milestones to keep new sales opportunities moving forward.
• Regularly check in with your buyer – Schedule touchpoints, including phone calls, to address questions or concerns and keep engagement high.
• Use Dock’s engagement tracking – See if buyers are interacting with the pilot materials and adjust follow-ups accordingly.
• ‍Assign clear responsibilities – Ensure both your team and the buyer’s team know their roles and deadlines to maintain momentum in the new sales process.

Enterprise buyers often require proof that a product can integrate with their systems and solve their business challenges. A structured sales pilot provides real-world validation, helping to build internal buy-in and reduce risk for large-scale implementations. Dock’s template ensures that all stakeholders stay aligned throughout the process.

Yes. With Dock, you can save a customized version of the Sales Pilot Template and reuse it for future pilots, making it easy to standardize your approach while allowing for deal-specific adjustments.