While the specifics of introducing GitHub Copilot Enterprise to your developers will depend on your company’s unique needs, successful rollouts often share common elements. By rolling out GitHub Copilot thoughtfully and considering these factors, you can achieve a greater return on investment, regardless of how many teams are already using it across your organization.

Consider carefully how big your initial rollout will be

This approach is ideal for engineering-driven companies with a strong demand for GitHub Copilot. However, other organizations might find greater success with a smaller, more strategic initial rollout to identify potential obstacles and demonstrate early wins.

The size and composition of your company will shape the scope of your initial launch. Choose a scale that you can manage effectively. Working with a dozen developers allows you to gauge uptake and gather feedback more easily than engaging with hundreds or thousands of engineers across the entire organization. Additionally, starting with a smaller, more targeted group makes it easier to identify internal champions—key developers within your company who can help promote adoption.

Advocate for self-service and encourage its adoption

Consider implementing a self-service license distribution mechanism to encourage the use of GitHub Copilot. Many successful organizations allow developers to claim licenses without approval, leading to quicker access and increased usage. While you might be concerned about over-licensing, many organizations initially face the challenge of under-utilization. Simplifying the approval process will help you maximize Copilot’s benefits. Visit our User Management Strategies page for more licensing advice.

Developers receive a welcome email with setup instructions as soon as they are granted access to GitHub Copilot. Often, they read it, don’t act, and forget. Reminder emails or messages in common channels, especially with self-service enabled, can nudge them to install and use it. Including team examples of Copilot in action can also boost adoption.

Determine and record any possible technological obstacles

When integrating GitHub Copilot with your technology stack, you must consider several factors, just as you would with any new product. For instance, your IT staff may need to add GitHub Copilot to the list of authorized applications on your firewall or set up network proxies. Smaller, more targeted focus groups provide a more effective method for detecting and resolving potential problems compared to a company-wide rollout. By initially onboarding individuals committed to sharing their experiences, you can proactively detect and resolve these challenges.

Pay attention to executive alignment

Businesses that successfully expand their use of GitHub Copilot often benefit from strong executive backing. When leadership endorses the tool, developers have clear permission to use it, eliminating any doubt about its acceptance.

Getting leadership support is crucial for GitHub Copilot’s success. Address their concerns and encourage them to release a statement outlining your organization’s Copilot strategy. Their inquiries can be addressed by this learning pathway and the GitHub Copilot Trust Center. To prove the worth of Copilot, provide the impact statistics from any trials you’ve conducted.

Host Trainings

Developers require best practices as well as precise instructions on when and where to use GitHub Copilot. Think about holding “lunch and learn” events to address inquiries, offer advice, and describe your organization’s adoption strategy. These sessions boost internal marketing and help current users maximize Copilot’s benefits. It’s also a great time to enlist your internal influencers to champion its use.

Canarys helps you to stay ahead of your peers

Canarys helps you with a successful GitHub Copilot Deployment with its committed and experienced workforce. Partner with us right away to stay on top.