Tilraunaverkefni

Tilraunaverkefni is an Icelandic term referring to a temporary, limited-scale project undertaken to test a concept, method, or product before wider deployment. It is used across sectors such as public administration, business, education, and research to assess feasibility, effectiveness, and potential risks. The word combines tilraun (experiment) with verkefni (project).

A tilraunaverkefni typically has defined objectives, a specific setting or target group, a set duration, and measurable indicators. It involves planning, stakeholder involvement, pilot sites or participants, data collection, and evaluation. If the results are favorable, authorities or organizations may proceed to broader implementation; if not, adjustments may be made or the project terminated.

Typical applications include piloting new social services, testing digital platforms or changes to public transport, trying educational interventions, or conducting research studies with limited participants. The approach seeks to reduce uncertainty and resource commitment before committing to a full-scale rollout.

Differences from a full-scale rollout primarily concern scope, resources, risk, and decision criteria. A tilraunaverkefni is deliberately bounded in time and scope, with explicit criteria for success or failure that inform subsequent strategic choices. In Icelandic practice, the term is commonly used in government, municipal planning, and organizational innovation to emphasize iterative testing and evidence-based scaling.