PLOT ON IT CONSULTING · ATD HOUSTON 2026
The Human Side of AI
From access to adoption
Jade Williams, MIS, PMP, CSPO
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The central idea
AI adoption is a leadership and workforce-readiness challenge, not simply a software rollout. When people are expected to use AI, the organization needs to plan for relevant training, protected practice time, clear rules and human review.
Use PLOT to diagnose and plan
P — Present Position
Map the current workflow, who does the work, how long it takes and what needs review. Listen to how employees feel about using AI.
What is happening today?L — Leverage
Identify approved tools, existing data, experienced employees, managers and learning resources. Use what you have before buying more.
What can we build on safely?O — Obstacles
Name the barrier: fear, no time, unclear policies, extra steps or lack of support. Assign an owner and a practical action to remove it.
What is preventing useful adoption?T — Target
Set a measurable 30-day outcome, with an owner, baseline, quality checks and review date. Measure changed work, not just access.
What improvement will we test?Different people need different support
- Expert skeptic: involve their expertise, discuss job concerns honestly and explain who remains accountable.
- Willing professional: schedule protected practice during the workday.
- Eager user: coach verification, privacy and when to seek human review.
Four readiness conditions
Purpose identifies useful work. Trust establishes boundaries and accountability. Capability requires relevant learning and practice. Leadership models use, removes friction and reviews outcomes. These complement PLOT; they do not replace its four letters.
AI readiness checklist
Use this as a discussion checklist, not a certification or guarantee. Resolve gaps before expanding the pilot.
- We have chosen one useful workflow and an accountable owner.
- We know the current time, quality and rework baseline.
- We have confirmed which tools and data are approved.
- We have explained human review, escalation and accountability.
- We have listened to employee concerns without dismissing them.
- Role-relevant training is scheduled as part of the work.
- Practice time is protected, not left to spare time.
- Managers will demonstrate the expected behavior.
- We have defined what success and an unacceptable error look like.
- A review date is set before wider rollout.
Your PLOT worksheet
P — Present Position: workflow, people and baseline
L — Leverage: approved tools, expertise and resources
O — Obstacles: main blocker, action and owner
T — Target: measurable outcome and review date
Your 30-day adoption test
- Week 1 — Choose: one workflow, one owner, current baseline and quality checks.
- Week 2 — Practice: include the skeptic, time-poor learner and eager user.
- Week 3 — Improve: clarify rules, protect practice time and remove one old step.
- Week 4 — Review: compare time, quality, exceptions and confidence. Decide whether to adjust, stop or expand.
The workflow we will test
Current baseline and desired outcome
Owner and protected practice time
Human review and unacceptable errors
Review date and decision maker
My commitment
One condition I will create for my team in the next 30 days:
Logins measure access. Changed work measures adoption.
Bring this completed worksheet to a conversation with Jade if your team needs help turning its findings into an implementation plan.