The production of a product, process, or piece of equipment on a simulated factory basis. In mass-production industries where complicated products, processes, or equipment are being developed, a pilot plant often leads to the presentation of a better product to the customer, lower development and manufacturing costs, more efficient factory operations, and earlier introduction of the product. Following the engineering development of a product, process, or complicated piece of equipment and its one-of-a-kind fabrication in the model shop, it becomes desirable and necessary to “prove out” the development on a simulated factory basis.