Scaling Mission-Oriented Pilot Projects: Advancing Data-Driven Innovation

A significant policy and practice knowledge gap remains around how successful mission-oriented, data-driven pilot projects can move beyond small-scale experimentation to achieve sustainable, system-wide impact. Commissioned by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), this report addresses that gap by providing an evidence-informed framework for designing pilots with scalability in mind. It recommends securing early institutional and political commitment, ensuring continuity of funding beyond the pilot stage, investing in interoperable data infrastructure and clear governance, strengthening cross-sector collaboration and knowledge transfer, and enabling solutions to be adapted to different places and contexts rather than simply replicated.

Drawing on evidence and practical examples from smart cities, digital manufacturing, energy, healthcare and public administration, the report explains how pilots can progress from exploration and experimentation to sustained implementation. Readers will find a phased process model for moving from pilot to scale, guidance on horizontal, functional and political scaling pathways, and practical approaches for overcoming institutional resistance, fragmented infrastructure, weak evaluation and the challenges of transferring solutions between contexts. The report also offers actionable recommendations for funders, policymakers and delivery organisations—including designing for scale from the outset, providing follow-on funding, establishing common data standards, clarifying regulatory responsibilities, supporting place-based adaptation, and systematically capturing and sharing lessons. Together, these insights provide a practical roadmap for turning promising pilots into resilient, scalable initiatives that deliver lasting public value

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