Supported Trial: Full 4-Day Work Week Implementation for Larger SMEs
Structured, high-touch support for SMEs (150+ staff) preparing to run a guided 4-Day Work Week trial with confidence.
Supported Trial by 4 Day Week Global is a high-support implementation package for larger SMEs and nonprofits ready to transition toward a 4-Day Work Week. This engagement provides comprehensive facilitation, leadership alignment, workflow redesign, expert coaching, and full trial evaluation tailored for organizations that need deeper guidance but do not require enterprise-level transformation.
Why a Supported Trial Works for Larger SMEs Moving Toward a 4-Day Work Week
For organizations with 150+ employees, preparing for a 4-Day Work Week is a significant strategic shift. Leadership teams often need clarity on workflow redesign, role coverage, customer impact, departmental alignment, and long-term sustainability.
Supported Trial is part of our Implementation Support (SME Coaching Packages) and provides the structure, facilitation, and expert guidance needed to run a safe, evidence-based 4-Day Work Week trial.
This package is ideal for organizations that:
Have multiple departments requiring aligned redesign
Need expert facilitation to gain leadership and staff buy-in
Want a rigorous, evidence-led trial structure
Require hands-on coaching during implementation
Need support to evaluate trial outcomes and plan long-term sustainment
You receive deep support without the complexity, scale, and enterprise language of our Enterprise Consulting pathway.
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Phase |
Focus |
Key Activities |
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Phase 1 – Foundation & Readiness Alignment |
Establish readiness, align leaders, and set the direction for the 4-Day Work Week trial. |
This phase ensures the organisation is aligned, prepared, and committed to running a well-structured 4-Day Work Week trial. |
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Phase 2 – Work Redesign & Trial Preparation |
Redesign workflows, communication systems, and operational rhythms to support a reduced-hours model. |
By the end of Phase 2, teams are equipped with the clarity and systems needed to begin the trial with confidence. |
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Phase 3 – Trial Delivery, Review & Sustainability Planning |
Support trial execution, monitor progress, and build a long-term sustainable pathway. |
The goal isn’t only a successful trial — it’s a future-proof model that strengthens performance, retention, wellbeing, and operational efficiency. |
The Three-Phase Journey to a Successful 4-Day Work Week Trial
Supported Trial follows a clear, evidence-led structure that helps SMEs redesign workflows, align teams, and run a safe, successful reduced-hours trial.
4-Day Work Week Trial – Phases & Key Activities
Phase 1 – Foundation & Readiness Alignment
Focus:
Establish readiness, align leaders, and set the direction for the 4-Day Work Week trial.
Key Activities:
- Leadership alignment session
- Review of operational priorities and role types
- Assessment of team readiness and key risks
- Identification of trial success metrics
- Trial timeline setup and introductory planning
This phase ensures the organisation is aligned, prepared, and committed to running a well-structured 4-Day Work Week trial.
Phase 2 – Work Redesign & Trial Preparation
Focus:
Redesign workflows, communication systems, and operational rhythms to support a reduced-hours model.
Key Activities:
- Four structured redesign workshops
- Departmental workflow mapping
- Meeting and communication redesign
- Scheduling and role coverage planning
- Risk mitigation and scenario planning
- Finalisation of trial supporting documentation
By the end of Phase 2, teams are fully equipped with the clarity and systems needed to begin the trial with confidence.
Phase 3 – Trial Delivery, Review & Sustainability Planning
Focus:
Support trial execution, monitor progress, and build a long-term sustainable pathway.
Key Activities:
- Expert coaching throughout trial delivery
- Monthly in-trial check-ins and adjustments
- KPI tracking and insights
- Post-trial evaluation workshop
- Sustainability recommendations and long-term plan
The goal isn’t only a successful trial — it’s a future-proof model that strengthens performance, retention, wellbeing, and operational efficiency.
Full Support Package for a Successful 4-Day Work Week Trial
Supported Trial includes everything your organization needs to confidently prepare for, deliver, and evaluate a reduced-hours trial.
Partnered Implementation Support
Key Deliverables:
15-20 hours of expert consulting support
Four structured redesign workshops
Leadership alignment session
Workflow and role coverage mapping
Comprehensive trial supporting documentation
During trial monthly review and KPI analysis
Post-trial evaluation workshop
Sustainability roadmap and next-step recommendations
Ongoing access to consulting support during the engagement
This package ensures your organization has hands-on guidance as well as the frameworks to operate independently in the long term.
Investment range:
Supported Trial by 4 Day Week Global ranges from $12,000 – $15,000 USD, based on the number of departments involved and the depth of facilitation required for a successful 4-Day Work Week trial.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Supported Trial is ideal for SMEs with 150+ employees that need structured facilitation, redesign workshops, and expert support to prepare for a 4-Day Work Week or Reduced Work Hours trial. Organizations needing guided workflow redesign, leadership alignment, and hands-on coaching benefit most. Smaller teams may find the Guided or Partnered Implementation packages a better fit.
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Yes. Supported Trial is designed to guide larger SMEs and nonprofits through the design, preparation, and delivery of a 4-Day Work Week trial.
This engagement includes fully facilitated redesign workshops, leadership alignment, structured trial frameworks, and dedicated expert coaching to ensure the transition is safe, evidence-based, and aligned to your organization’s operational realities.
Supported Trial provides end-to-end facilitation, reducing internal burden while ensuring workflows, role coverage, and trial execution are consistently designed and managed across the organization.
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Leaders, managers, and department heads should be available for workshops and check-ins. Ideally front line staff should also have access to the redesign workshops. The redesigned workflows and trial planning are fully facilitated by 4 Day Week Global, reducing internal burden and ensuring a consistent, well-structured 4-Day Work Week implementation.
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Supported Trial includes:
15-20 hours of expert consulting support
Four facilitated redesign workshops
Leadership alignment and trial-readiness sessions
Operational workflow mapping and role coverage planning
During trial monthly KPI review and insights
Post-Trial Evaluation report with performance findings
A tailored Sustainability Roadmap to guide next steps
Ongoing support from 4 Day Week Global during the engagement
These deliverables ensure your organization can confidently design, run, and evaluate a 4-Day Work Week trial with structured facilitation and expert oversight.
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No. Supported Trial is designed to support organizations that have already completed the 4 Day Week Design Program or have a clearly defined reduced-hours model and are ready to move into a fully supported trial.
While Supported Trial provides high-touch facilitation, leadership alignment, workflow refinement, and expert coaching throughout the trial, it does not replace the Design Program or define the underlying “how” of your reduced-hours model.
The Design Program is where organisations determine how work will change — including role design, productivity principles, and trial structure. Supported Trial focuses on putting that design into practice, supporting teams to execute, monitor, and evaluate the model safely and consistently at scale.
If your organization has not yet completed the design phase, this will be identified during the discovery consultation, and the appropriate design support will be recommended before commencing a Supported Trial.
A discovery consultation confirms readiness for a supported trial and ensures the correct sequencing of design and implementation support.
Ready to Confidently Run a 4-Day Work Week Trial?
If your organization is an SME with 150+ employees or a nonprofit seeking structured facilitation, Supported Trial gives you the tools, coaching, and leadership alignment needed to transition to a 4-Day Work Week with clarity and confidence.