Successful Copilot Implementation with Prodigy and Acuity
- megan19020
- Aug 26, 2025
- 2 min read
Artificial Intelligence is rapidly reshaping how government agencies operate. Tools like Microsoft 365 Copilot offer powerful opportunities to improve efficiency, enhance decision-making, and unlock productivity across the public sector. But realizing that potential requires more than just licensing—it demands careful planning, secure configuration, and expert support.
Choosing the Right Copilot Experience
State agencies now have the opportunity to harness Microsoft’s two Copilot solutions: Microsoft 365 Copilot and Copilot Chat. Deployed strategically, these tools can significantly boost productivity while aligning with agency priorities and budget considerations. A recommended approach is to start with Microsoft 365 Copilot for knowledge workers and document-heavy roles, and then complement it with Copilot Chat for broader organizational access. This ensures both maximum impact and cost efficiency.
Concern 1: Data Security and Compliance
One of the biggest concerns in Copilot implementation is ensuring government-grade data protection. State information must comply with California’s security requirements, federal standards, and all relevant regulatory frameworks from day one. Without proper preparation, existing SharePoint permissions may unintentionally expose sensitive data to Copilot’s AI processing. To address this, agencies should optimize data access and implement Microsoft Purview to establish clear governance boundaries that safeguard security while enabling productivity.
Concern 2: User Readiness and Adoption
Another challenge is preparing employees to use Copilot effectively. Many government staff have limited exposure to AI tools and may be unsure how to craft effective prompts or identify appropriate use cases. Some may even question AI’s reliability or view it as a threat to job security. Overcoming these concerns requires structured training, change management, and transparent communication to build confidence, demonstrate value, and ensure successful adoption across the workforce.
Prodigy’s Phased Approach to Copilot Implementation
Through Acuity’s partnership with Prodigy Consulting, state agencies can leverage a proven, phased methodology for rolling out Copilot:
Phase 1: Discovery & Planning (1–4 Weeks)
Project planning and team setup
Stakeholder engagement
Data governance and security assessment
Define business goals
Adoption workshops
Detailed implementation plan
Phase 2: Readiness & Prerequisites (1–3 Weeks)
Microsoft Purview configuration
User communications and feedback mechanisms
SharePoint Online permission remediation
Dashboard implementation
Establish support channels
Phase 3: Adoption & Enablement (1–5 Weeks)
Awareness campaigns
Copilot champions network
Lunch & Learn sessions
Structured onboarding programs
Ongoing support and feedback collection
The Bottom Line
Microsoft 365 Copilot has the power to transform how California state departments serve the public. But adoption requires the right balance of security, training, and strategic rollout. By leveraging Acuity’s experience with state IT consulting and Prodigy’s SLP-based CivicDuty360 support, agencies can confidently implement Copilot in a way that is secure, cost-effective, and aligned with their mission.
Reach out to our team today to learn about how you can leverage SLP for successful Copilot implementation
For more information on Prodigy's 3 phased approach, download the file below.
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