Microsoft 365 Copilot is a powerful tool that can transform the way employees work. With AI support directly inside familiar apps like Word, Excel, Outlook, and Teams, Copilot is designed to save time, reduce busywork, and help users get more out of their day. But like any new technology, success depends on more than just turning it on.
One of the most important steps in a successful Copilot rollout is knowing who to start with. The right users can help you prove value early, drive adoption across teams, and build internal excitement. The wrong ones can slow progress, underuse the tool, or dismiss it entirely.
This is why identifying key users before launching Copilot matters so much.
The Risk of a Blanket Copilot Rollout
It might be tempting to give Copilot access to everyone at once. After all, if the tool is that valuable, shouldn’t everyone get it?
In theory, yes. But in practice, not all employees are equally ready or equally suited to get the most out of it from day one. Copilot works best when it supports people in the flow of work. That means the users who already live in Microsoft 365 apps, handle large volumes of content, or make frequent decisions based on data.
Without a clear strategy to identify and prioritize those users, many organizations end up wasting time, licenses, and opportunities.
What Makes a Strong Early Copilot Adopter?
When planning your rollout, focus on users who meet a few key criteria. These are the individuals most likely to benefit from Copilot and most likely to influence others once they do.
1. High Engagement with Microsoft 365 Apps
Start by identifying employees who regularly use tools like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams. These users already rely on Microsoft 365 to do their jobs and will be quicker to integrate Copilot into their workflow.
2. Roles Focused on Content, Communication, or Analysis
Employees in roles such as sales, marketing, HR, finance, operations, and customer support are often excellent candidates. These teams spend much of their day writing, reviewing, calculating, and collaborating – exactly where Copilot can add value.
3. Comfort with Technology and Change
Look for individuals who are curious and open to trying new tools. Early adopters who are willing to explore, experiment, and share feedback will become champions across your organization.
4. Teams with Clear Use Cases
When AI has an obvious and immediate use, it becomes easier to demonstrate value. For example, sales teams might use it to draft follow-up emails, while finance might use it to summarize large Excel files. The more specific the use case, the faster the return.
Let Data Guide the Way for Copilot
You don’t have to rely on instinct or internal nominations to identify these users. Surveil makes this process simple, scalable, and data-driven.
With Surveil Copilot Compass, Surveil analyzes actual Microsoft 365 usage data to uncover the individuals and departments most ready for Copilot. We look at engagement levels, role context, and behavior trends to give you a clear view of who will benefit most from early access.
This means you can:
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Focus your enablement on the right people
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Launch smarter, not bigger
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Create internal success stories that drive momentum
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Lay a strong foundation for broader adoption
Turning the Right Start into Long-Term Copilot Success
Identifying the right users is just the beginning. Once those users are selected, the next step is to support them with the right training, check in on their progress, and use their feedback to fine-tune your rollout. These early users will set the tone for how Copilot is perceived across your organization.
By choosing carefully and planning thoughtfully, you set yourself up for a rollout that delivers value faster, earns buy-in across departments, and lays the groundwork for long-term success.
At Surveil, we are here to help you make that happen. Want to know who your key Copilot users are? Explore Copilot Compass from Surveil and take the guesswork out of Copilot adoption.