Structured rollout boosts Copilot adoption and satisfaction by 20%

A few weeks ago, we analyzed data from a customer using GitHub Copilot and noticed something fascinating: the structured rollout of Copilot led to significantly higher satisfaction and adoption among developers.

Here’s what they did. With over 2,000 developers, they rolled out Copilot in two phases. First, they piloted it with a group of early adopters, giving them training and support. Then they expanded access across the organization.

Months later, they surveyed their developers. The results were clear: 81% of the pilot group reported being satisfied with Copilot, compared to only 64% in the broader rollout. That’s a 17% difference—meaningful for a tool like this.

The data also showed a correlation (r=0.39) between satisfaction and usage. This makes sense: developers who like Copilot use it more. It also reinforces the idea that satisfaction is a good signal and predictor of adoption, and something organizations can focus on improving if they want to improve adoption.

So, what’s the playbook? Here’s what worked for them:

• Training sessions to show developers how to get the most out of Copilot.
• Interactive events like lunch-and-learns or “Prompt-a-thons.”
• Dedicated support channels for real-time help.
• Community channels for sharing tips and best practices.
• Follow-ups and nudges to ensure developers stay engaged and supported.

The takeaway here is that structured Copilot rollout and onboarding can drive higher utilization, helping organizations fully capitalize on their Copilot license spend. Providing training and support requires effort, but the payoff is worth it.