Build your strategy in five steps

Set a clear direction

A strong Champion strategy starts with the work teammates want to improve, not with a list of Copilot features. Champions are most effective when they help colleagues apply Copilot to high-priority, recurring work.

Use this guide to choose a focused adoption priority, identify where Champions can help, and define the first proof points that show whether your strategy is working.

What you’ll create

By the end, you’ll have a strategy that includes:

• A short list of high-value workflows to focus on.
• A prioritized audience or team to support.
• Few early proof points to show progress.
• A simple plan for how Champions will support, learn from, and scale Copilot adoption.

Step One

Identify opportunities to improve everyday work

Champions often get asked to help teammates use Copilot, but that goal is too broad to act on. Focus first on the tasks and workflows teammates regularly perform and the outcomes they want to improve.

• What recurring work takes too much time?
• Where do teammates create, summarize, analyze, or coordinate information?
• Which workflows already happen in Microsoft 365 apps?
• Where would better drafts, faster synthesis, or clearer follow-up create the most value?
• Where are teammates already experimenting with Copilot?

Make your goals specific and actionable:

Step Two

Narrow your adoption focus

A Champion strategy does not need to cover every app, role, or scenario. Choose a focus area where teammates can experience value quickly. Start small to learn what support is needed before scaling.

• Relevance: Does this workflow connect to a team goal or priority?
• Frequency: Does the work happen often enough for teammates to build a habit?
• Visibility: Will teammates notice the difference if the workflow gets easier or clearer?
• Supportability: Can Champions help teammates apply Copilot to workflows without becoming technical owners?

Good starting points might include meeting follow-up, document summarization, status reporting, stakeholder preparation, brainstorming, first drafts, team communications, or knowledge discovery.

Step Three

Select your first audience or team

Choose an initial group with similar workflows, a clear need, and Champions who have enough context to support peers. A smaller group gives Champions room to learn what works and what doesn’t.

• Start where Champions already have credibility or access.
• Prioritize a group with recurring workflows tied to the adoption focus.
• Choose a group where managers can reinforce new ways of working.
• Avoid groups where access, policy, or readiness issues would block participation.

Step Four

Pick your initial proof points

A proof point is a specific sign that your Champion strategy is working. It doesn’t need to demonstrate a full return on investment. Instead, look for signs that teammates are moving from awareness to practical use.

Step Five

Establish a rhythm for your Champion program

A Champion strategy needs a regular rhythm for sharing examples, surfacing questions and blockers, and learning what works. Keep it lightweight enough for Champions to sustain alongside their regular work.

• Weekly: Collect questions, examples, and blockers.
• Biweekly: Share one practical scenario or demo.
• Monthly: Review what’s working, what’s unclear, and what’s ready to scale.
• Quarterly: Refresh priority workflows based on business goals and user feedback.