Kokeilujaksoa

Kokeilujaksoa, literally a trial period, is a defined, temporary phase during which a new method, product, service, process, or policy is tested on a limited scale before broader implementation. The aim is to assess feasibility, performance, usability, and impact, and to gather information that informs a final decision. Kokeilujaksoja are common in business projects, software deployments, product development, and public sector initiatives, as well as in research settings.

In the Finnish employment context, the formal concept that governs testing an employee’s suitability is the koeaika (probationary period) defined by the Työsopimuslaki. A kokeilujakso can be used within an employment relationship to pilot a new role, workflow, or work arrangement, but it remains distinct from the legal probation framework. In other domains, a kokeilujakso is usually established through project documents such as a pilot plan, a grant agreement, or a procurement contract.

Design and execution typically include a defined scope, objectives, timeline, participants, and predetermined criteria for success or failure. Data collection and monitoring are essential to evaluate outcomes. At the end of a kokeilujakso, the organization decides whether to adopt the approach more broadly, adjust and re-run the trial, or discontinue it. If scaling proceeds, formal documentation and governance arrangements are often updated.

Durations vary from weeks to several months, depending on complexity and risk. Benefits of a well-structured kokeilujaksoa include reduced implementation risk, better stakeholder alignment, and evidence-based decisions; challenges include scope creep, biased evaluation, and limited data if the trial is too short.